Australian Aboriginal Mythology

The Dreaming Gods and Spirits of Oz

RAINBOW SNAKE

Australian Aboriginal Fertility God/dess

Also known as Almudj, Kalseru

Picture of the Australian Aboriginal Fertility God/dess Rainbow Snake from our Australian Aboriginal mythology image library. Illustration by Chas Saunders.

The Great Creator Serpent

In charge of Fertility, Growth and Refreshing Rain.

The Rainbow Snake is a bit of a mish-mash, with a kangaroo’s head, a crocodile’s tail and a python’s body, all decorated with water lilies and waving tendrils.

The Snake has many names and comes in male and female form. Yingarna, the female, is the original Mother of Creation, and her son Ngalyod is the Great Transformer of Land. Family portraits go back 8,000 years, which makes the Rainbow Snake one of the oldest religious symbols. And it’s still going strong today.

Rainbow Snake Facts and Figures

Name: Rainbow Snake
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Almudj, Kalseru

Gender: Male and female
Type: God/dess
Area or people: Arnhem Land
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Fertility
Area of expertise: Fertility

Good/Evil Rating: GOOD, quite approachable
Popularity index: 18794

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Article last revised on September 01, 2018 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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