The Rainbow Serpent is a major ancestral being in Aboriginal Australian mythology, appearing in the Dreaming stories of many different Indigenous nations across the continent. It is a creator and destroyer, associated with water, rain, fertility, and the shaping of the landscape, though its specific stories, gender, and powers vary greatly between regions.
The Dreaming and the Serpent’s Role
The Rainbow Serpent belongs to the Dreaming (or Dreamtime), the Aboriginal concept of the time of creation when ancestral beings shaped the world. These beings moved across a formless land, creating rivers, mountains, and waterholes, and their actions established the laws, ceremonies, and relationships that still govern life today. The Serpent is one of the most widespread of these ancestral beings, with stories found from Arnhem Land to the Western Desert.
Its name in English comes from the serpent’s frequent association with the rainbow, which is seen as the snake’s body arching across the sky. In many traditions, the Serpent lives in deep waterholes and controls the rains and floods. It is not a single, unified deity; rather, it is a category of powerful ancestral snakes, each with its own local name and story.
Regional Variations and Names
Different Aboriginal nations have their own distinct Rainbow Serpent traditions. Some of the best-known names include:
- Yurlunggur (Yolngu people, Arnhem Land): A python ancestor associated with the monsoon and the wet season.
- Wagyl (Noongar people, southwest Western Australia): A snakelike being said to have created the Swan River and other waterways.
- Kunmanggur (Murinbata people, Northern Territory): A powerful rainbow serpent whose story involves a conflict with his sons.
- Almudj (Kunwinjku people, western Arnhem Land): A creator serpent associated with the East Alligator River.
- Taipan (Wik-Mungkan people, Cape York): A serpent associated with weather and initiation.
These are just a few examples; nearly every language group has its own version. The Serpent’s gender also varies: sometimes it is male, sometimes female, and sometimes it changes gender or has both male and female aspects. Its role can be creative (carving riverbeds) or destructive (causing floods), and it is often a guardian of sacred sites.
Creation and Landscape
In many stories, the Rainbow Serpent emerged from the ground after the rains, moving across the land and creating its physical features. As it traveled, its body carved out riverbeds and gorges, and where it rested, it formed waterholes and billabongs. These places remain sacred and are often associated with the Serpent’s continued presence.
For example, in the Kimberley region, the Wandjina rock art often depicts the Rainbow Serpent alongside the Wandjina ancestral beings. The Serpent is said to have created the distinctive gorges and waterfalls of that area. In the Western Desert, the Warlpiri people tell of the Rainbow Serpent (called Jukurrpa or Yarla) that created the salt lakes and claypans. The Serpent is also linked to the seasonal cycle: its appearance in the sky as a rainbow is a sign that the wet season is coming, and its presence in waterholes ensures the survival of plant and animal life.
Ceremony, Art, and Initiation
The Rainbow Serpent is not just a story; it is a living presence in ceremony and art. Its image appears in rock art, sand drawings, body painting, and, more recently, in acrylic paintings on canvas. These artworks often show the Serpent as a long, sinuous line with a head at one end, sometimes with internal patterns that represent the landscape it created.
In initiation ceremonies, the Serpent is often a central figure. For example, among the Murinbata, the Kunmanggur story is reenacted as part of male initiation, where the boys are symbolically swallowed and regurgitated by the Serpent, representing death and rebirth. The Serpent is also a source of power and knowledge for healers and elders, who may communicate with it in dreams or through ritual.
Artistic depictions vary widely. In some traditions, the Serpent is shown with a kangaroo or other animal in its mouth, representing its role as a predator and a force of nature. In others, it is shown with a human head or with plants growing from its body, emphasizing its life-giving aspects.
Mistaken Interpretations and Cultural Sensitivity
Non-Aboriginal people have often misinterpreted the Rainbow Serpent as a simple nature deity or a symbol of fertility. While it is associated with water and life, it is also a moral and punitive being. In many stories, the Serpent punishes those who break the law or disrespect sacred sites, often by swallowing them or causing floods. It is not a benevolent guardian but a powerful and unpredictable force.
Another common misconception is that the Rainbow Serpent is a single, unified myth shared by all Aboriginal people. In reality, there are hundreds of distinct stories, each tied to a specific place and language group. The term “Rainbow Serpent” is a convenient English label, but it does not capture the diversity of these traditions. Today, many Aboriginal communities consider the Rainbow Serpent a sacred and secret being, and some stories are only shared with initiated members. Non-Aboriginal people should be respectful of this and avoid seeking out restricted knowledge.
Modern Relevance and Symbolism
The Rainbow Serpent has become a symbol of Aboriginal identity and connection to land. It appears on the flag of the Aboriginal Provisional Government and in many contemporary artworks. It is also used in environmental campaigns, as a reminder of the importance of water and the natural world. In 2020, a large sculpture of the Rainbow Serpent was installed at the National Museum of Australia, sparking both celebration and debate about cultural representation.
The Serpent’s story has also been adapted in children’s books and educational materials, though these often simplify the complex mythology. For Aboriginal people, the Rainbow Serpent remains a living ancestor, not just a myth from the past. It is a reminder of the laws that govern human behaviour and the need to care for the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rainbow Serpent a real animal?
No, the Rainbow Serpent is a mythical being. It is not based on a specific living snake, though it may be inspired by the physical features of pythons and other large snakes, as well as the natural phenomenon of the rainbow. In Aboriginal cultures, it is considered an ancestral being, not a biological species.
What does the Rainbow Serpent represent?
The Rainbow Serpent represents water, rain, fertility, and the creative power of the Dreaming. It is also a guardian of sacred sites and a punisher of those who break the law. Its dual nature as creator and destroyer means it is both respected and feared.
Is the Rainbow Serpent male or female?
The gender varies by region and story. In some traditions, it is male (e.g., Yurlunggur), in others female (e.g., Wagyl), and in some it is both or changes gender. There is no single answer, as the stories are diverse and locally specific.
Why is it called the Rainbow Serpent?
The English name comes from the association between the snake and the rainbow. In many stories, the rainbow is seen as the serpent’s body arching across the sky, and the serpent is linked to the rain that brings the rainbow. The name is a translation of various Aboriginal terms, not a single original word.
Can anyone tell the Rainbow Serpent stories?
No. Many Rainbow Serpent stories are sacred and can only be told by certain people, such as elders or initiated members, and only at certain times or places. Public versions exist, but they are often simplified. It is important to respect Aboriginal cultural protocols and not share restricted knowledge.
Is the Rainbow Serpent the same as the Christian devil?
No, that is a colonial misinterpretation. Some early European settlers compared the Rainbow Serpent to the serpent in the Bible, but this is inaccurate. The Rainbow Serpent is a creator being, not a symbol of evil. It is a central figure in Aboriginal cosmology, not a demonic entity.
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