Cobras are deadly venomous snakes, known for their ability to stand upright and expanding their neck ribs to form a hood on their heads, which happens usually when they feel threatened. These snakes live in Africa and south and southeastern Asia.
Snake charmers use these snakes’ ability to stand upright in their performances for the public which gathers around them.
The charmer usually frightens the snake, so it takes the upright pose. Snake charming is a practice common in many Asian and African countries.
The charmer hypnotizes the snake by playing an instrument and waving around with it, while the snake moves sideways following these movements. They are practiced to avoid a potential deadly bite and many remove the snake’s fangs for protection.
The cobra’s venom is located in a groove enclosed in the short fangs at the front of their mouths. The venom contains neurotoxins, which destroy the nervous system and if an antivenin is not administered soon, death is inevitable.
Some cobras are venom spiting and some are not. Also, the toxicity of their venom varies.
The King cobra is the largest existing venomous snake in the world. King cobras live mostly in the forest regions of India and throughout Southeast Asia. These snakes prey mostly on other snakes.
The longest confirmed length of a King cobra was 5.6 meters. They are usually around 3.6 meters long. King cobras lay up to 40 eggs and guard their eggs against predators.
The Indian cobra is a smaller version of a cobra snake, and is up to 1.75 meters in length.
African cobras are not relatives to the Asian ones. Some are venom spitting and some aren’t. They direct the venom at the eyes of the victim. If the venom enters the eye and is not quickly and properly washed it sometimes causes permanent blindness.
The Egyptian cobra is spread around Africa and towards Arabia. Its prey is birds and toads.
What does a Cobra Symbolize?
The cobra symbolizes wisdom, changes, enchantment, hypnosis, protectiveness, danger, poison, determination, fear, strength, sexuality, sexual urges, courage, confidence, transformation, royalty, death. They are also a symbol of speed, defensiveness, and gracefulness.
Cobras in Ancient Egypt were considered protectors of the Pharaoh.
Also the Egyptian queen Cleopatra allegedly died of a cobra bite.
The Cobra Meaning as a Spirit Animal
The cobra totem can have many different meanings. Here are some of them:
Speed. Cobras are known for their speed movements. They strike at the right moment. This cobra totem animal is giving you the ability to react quickly. You need to be alert and take action in the right moment. If a cobra is your totem animal you most likely think and react fast so you don’t miss an opportunity.
Defensiveness. Cobras are very defensive. They react to a potential threat by taking an upright position and stretching their ribs to make a hood on their heads so they would appear more threatening to a potential attacker. They strike at anything which might be considered a potential threat.
The cobra spirit animal is teaching you to be defensive and defend yourself and what’s yours using all your abilities.
With the cobra as your totem, you are most likely defensive and know how to take care of yourself and the ones you care about.
Protectiveness. Cobras are protective of their eggs and their young. The cobra spirit animal is teaching you to be there for the ones you care about and try to do all you can to protect them from harm.
Cobra as Your Totem Animal
If a cobra is your totem animal you most likely possess natural gracefulness. You are proud and confident and not afraid to stand up for your beliefs.
You are also courageous and don’t hesitate to attack anyone who might jeopardize you or your territory. With this animal as your totem you are defensive and protective.
You are truthful, but sometimes your expression and honesty can have a venomous tone.
You should work on having a milder approach towards people when you want to tell them something because you might unintentionally hurt someone who doesn’t have an understanding for such an approach.
What if the Cobra Appears in Your Life?
The cobra comes in your life to remind you that is time to take some action. it could also be calling you to rely on your wisdom and inner knowing to make some important decisions and choices.
The cobra could also appear when you need to discover or begin to use some hidden abilities you have.
This totem also appears in your life to boost your confidence, courage and self – esteem.
When to call on Cobra?
You should call on cobra as your spirit animal when:
- You need to rely on your strength and abilities to overcome some difficult situation, usually related to some loss you have experienced.
- You need to gain more wisdom on some subject.
- You need more courage and strength to confront something or someone.
- You need to discover some truth about something or someone.
Dreams about Cobra – Interpretation and Meaning
If you dreamed of a cobra, that dream could mean that you sexual desire for someone is increasing. This dream could also indicate a boost of creativity.
If you saw two cobras copulating in a dream, that dream is a very good sign. It is usually a sign of good fortune awaiting you.
If you hit the cobra in a dream that could indicate not having many people you can trust. If you killed a cobra in a dream, that could indicate repressing your creativity or doing something which is extremely unpleasant for you. If the cobra wrapped itself around you that could indicate feeling trapped by some circumstances in your life.