title: Comments on snake symbolism and mind-body relations.
abstract: In summary, the symbolic use of an object in part depends on which of its functional-structural qualities is emphasized in a given moment. For example, the snake may take on different symbolic meanings when emphasis is given to its eyes, tongue, fangs, anatomical form, or movement. Its various aspects constitute a complex system of references to unconscious (and conscious) mental and body self-configurations. These references frequently undergo transformations which make use of structurally related symbols. In the present paper, various aspects of the snake symbol were related to one another and to other symbolic transformations, including the elevator and flying. The structural principles underlying these analyses may be found to organize a wide range of phenomena and were here applied to Tausk's "influencing machine."
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011573:Psychoanalytic Interpretation; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D012649:Self Concept; D012911:Snakes; D013561:Symbolism