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May/June 2008 Alternative Health
Shedding Your Old Skin: The Chinese Element of Metal and Serpent Symbology

by Christina Bjergo

The basis of health and wholeness from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective comes from our innate correspondence with nature. Everything within us (microcosm) is reflected in the world around us (macrocosm). The universe and our bodies are synchronized from this holistic approach with everything composed of five elements. The elements of wood (plants), fire, earth, metal (stone and mountains) and water make up our physical, psychological as well as spiritual aspects.

The element of metal, associated with the west direction in Chinese theory, represents the time of sunset, the season of autumn, and has an energy of lessening activity (yang) and growing introspection and quiet (yin). The color attributed to metal is white, which is a symbol of death and purification in Chinese as well as Indian Hindu culture and is the color worn at funerals to symbolize the inherent link with this quality of metal.

The energy of metal in the body primarily governs the respiration of the lungs and the cycle of breathing. Moving in a continuous flow, the exhalation of the breath allows for the intake or receiving of fresh clean air necessary for the healthy oxygenation and operation of the body. The large intestine is the secondary organ system corresponding with the metal element that helps maintain health through the elimination of waste and reinforces the letting go quality of this element. Inherent in our bodies, therefore, is the aspect of death leading to purification and wellness.

Similarly, the serpent has been a powerful archetypal symbol in dreams and meditations of many cultures around the world. Snakes will periodically eliminate the old by the shedding of their skin and emerge larger, stronger and healthier (the molting keeps the parasites off). Our ancestors, who gained insight about life from observing animals in nature, believed there was wisdom in the snake for here was a creature that knew the secrets of death that lead to rebirth.

The spiral as a metaphor for the serpent has also been found in many ancient sacred sites and is believed to have facilitated initiations and mark critical periods of growth, including coming of age and spiritual awakening. As a ritual aid, many labyrinths have been based on the spiral shape. The serpent spiral in the labyrinth represents the transformational quality of the cycle of life - the moving inward or returning aspect of the cycle allows one to let go of perceived challenges or limitations on the journey to the center of the self.

From this center comes the expressive movement of the spiral stretching itself outward. Having transcended the old it can move outward expanding its trajectory wider than ever before. This demonstrates the serpent and the spiral's power as a symbol for evolutionary change. This is the hero's journey and highlights the ancient mysteries of past eras - one needs to allow death to have space to welcome new life and growth.

Spiritual traditions around the world have communicated this serpent/spiral wisdom through the language of myth, placing significance on the west/metal and the aspect of death leading to rebirth. In Hindu mythology, the popular Shiva is known as the destroyer god. His skin is ash white and he is often depicted in sculpture and printed art with snakes around his neck, meditating tranquilly up high on his sacred mountain. Other times he dances on a dwarf of ignorance in his cosmic dance of purification.

The Queen of the West in Chinese mythology (later linked with Kwan Yin as a compassionate deity or aspect of Buddha) was sometimes seen as a white tiger, which is the corresponding celestial animal to the element of metal. The Queen of the West is known for being the destroyer, though she also demonstrates an aspect of creation weaving her creations among the stars. She sits atop her sacred mountain (sometimes called Snake Shaman Mountain) where the peach trees of immortality grow. The Queen of the West is talented at whistling, demonstrating her knowledge of metal and ability to work with the breath. She comes to Earth on her dragon-drawn chariot (dragons are the sacred serpents of China and much of Asia) to help humankind transcend mortality and ignorance.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, one can visit Horsethief Lake in Washington and see the famous pictograph of She Who Watches. Near The Dalles on the Columbia River, her image is painted on a natural stone cliff in an area of spiritual significance thought to have been used for vision questing by a number of ancient local tribes. She Who Watches is painted with white representing death and red representing life. This correspondence with the colors red and white is also found among many indigenous tribes of Africa and Australia and in the artwork of early Europeans. She Who Watches is marked by large owl-like eyes (another symbol of death). Her swollen death-like tongue protrudes from her mouth. She sits up high overseeing the Columbia River below and is a sign of promise and protection, some believe, for those whom her gaze rests upon.

Confronting the shadowy aspects of our past can be at times a daunting task. Sacred serpent spiral qigong helps individuals consciously let go of fears, pain and unhappiness, as well as the unconscious roots of disease in their lives. Using ancient qigong theory with movement meditations, individuals can remove old roadblocks from the energy highways of the body. Going through the cycle of death and rebirth builds and refines our energies, offering the ready initiate a kundalini (fiery serpent) awakening with great physical, psychological and spiritual rewards. Through working with metal, we open to and connect with another aspect of the serpent symbolism - wisdom.

Christina Bjergo is a Vancouver-based acupuncturist, shiatsu practitioner and shamanic worker, and a qigong grand master of sacred serpent spiral qigong. For upcoming classes, visit www.wildirisasianwellness.com or email cbjergo@msn.com.