In Australian mythology, what or who is the Rainbow Serpent?

The Rainbow Serpent, also called the Rainbow Snake, is an immortal being and creating God in Aboriginal Mythology.

Responsible for giving life as well as creating and destroying nature, particularly in relation to water. It's believed that the snake travels from one waterhole to another, blessing the people when happy and causing destruction when angered. The serpent, whose shape mimics both the typically long body of the snake and the curved design of a rainbow, is often described as having the head of a kangaroo and the tail of a crocodile.

According to legend, when a rainbow is present in the sky, the snake is traveling between watering holes, keeping them flowing even when drought parches the land. Some believe that She blesses the fertility of women who wade in the water visited by the snake. Others credit the serpent for the growth of crops, while others believe it's responsible for ruling over communities and keeping harmony.

The rainbow serpent is important in Australian culture as a protector, giver of life, and watchman over nature and humanity. Yet, it also has a dark side, showing its destructive nature if the people fail to give it the proper respect. The rainbow serpent is believed to be behind storms and floods, sent as punishment when needed.

It is believed that She created the sun and fire. She cast the land out, creating the mountains, valleys and hills and flooded water over the land, forming rivers, streams, billabongs and lakes.

More Info: study.com

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7 Comments

elizawheeler

Those who choose to mock native beliefs should realize that they showed respect for the environment. "First world countries" could learn much from them.

William Stuart Crosby

Again a question that proceeds rom the false assumption that Australian First Nations peoples are a monoculture. Disappointing.

Leapy Lee

The rainbow serpent is part of many, but not all of our First Nations people in Australia. Your reference is from a simple child's website which does not convey at all the importance of the Rainbow Serpent to those cultures. I loathe it when people try and write Quzzclub questions about a culture or practice they have little or no understanding of!

JRW

Pascal Collins, you are quite wrong in saying it ONLY applies to one group. In the past, I have worked with Anangu who shared some of their versions. Here is another source "In Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory the Rainbow Serpent is associated with rituals of abundance and propagation in the natural world, and of fertility and well-being in human society. It has the power over life and death, bringing conception spirits to the water holes, but also punishing those who break traditional laws."