Symbolism of the serpent in the cultural traditions of Europe

One of the most symbolically saturated images of mythology is the image of a snake, which was widespread everywhere, and today it is widely exploited by popular culture. Snake cults were widely represented in Europe, including in the Slavic area. The snake occupies an important place in legends and tales, conspiracies and rituals. In Serbia and Macedonia there is a ceremony of expelling snakes. In Bulgaria - getting rid of the poison of snakes and subsequent healing. In these and other Slavic countries, the snake can simultaneously serve as a symbol of evil and act as the protector and patron of the house. The article analyzes the plot, demonstrating the interaction of different cultural traditions. The “serpentine text of culture”, read in the framework of comparative cultural studies, can provide answers to many questions that reveal the course and specificity of ethnocultural processes.