Usage of snake and woman figures in graphic design products in terms of representation forms

Abstract

Mythology expresses a society's beliefs and explanations about the origin of the universe and human beings through symbolic narratives. The main reason for examining snake and woman figures in the same study is that these two symbols gain meaning around common themes in historical, mythological and cultural contexts. These figures, which are associated with multi-layered concepts such as fertility, wisdom, danger, seduction and transformation, exhibit a symbolic unity that complements each other both visually and semantically; it is important to consider how the mutual interaction between them is interpreted in art and graphic design together in order to present a holistic analysis. The aim of the study is to examine the representation and expression of the female figure through the snake symbol from mythology to graphic design. In order to evaluate the connection of snake symbolism with the female figure and its reflections in graphic design, document analysis was conducted using qualitative research method, and the data were analysed with descriptive analysis technique. Eleven visual designs, selected by random sampling method and containing the symbols of snake and woman, were preferred in order to provide a wide range of diversity, to examine different symbolic interpretations without prejudice and to enable in-depth analysis of the examples by narrowing the scope. As a result, snake and woman symbols have carried both positive and negative meanings throughout history and have been reinterpreted with different techniques and approaches in graphic design. The association of the snake with the concepts of wisdom and rebirth has given the female figure a multi-layered, powerful and symbolic depth of meaning.