Snakes have had a starring role in human imagination for centuries. These slithery creatures are at once beautiful and dangerous, revered and feared. Yet, in the world of jewelry, they embody elegance, mystery, and even romance. Jewelry trends come and go, but somehow the snake motif endures, winding its way through history and evolving with every era. And one of the most fascinating chapters in this serpentine story comes from the Victorian era.
Snake Jewelry and the Supernatural
Snakes have a long history in human culture, representing everything from wisdom to eternity, and even fertility. In ancient times, civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had a love affair with serpents. This isn't just some recent trend—it’s a fascination that goes back thousands of years.

Uraeus from Egypt; Possibly from Eastern Delta, Tanis (San el-Hagar), 945–712 BC // Source: Wikimedia Commons
In ancient Egypt, the snake was seen as a powerful symbol, often representing divine protection. Pharaohs wore uraeus (a stylized snake symbol) on their crowns as a sign of their god-like status. This was often the cobra, coiled and ready to strike, symbolizing the goddess Wadjet, who was believed to protect the land of the pharaohs. Imagine the aura of power that came from adorning oneself with a piece of jewelry meant to symbolize a god-like protector. It's no wonder that snake motifs in jewelry evoke a sense of strength and mystery even today.
Greek and Roman Snake Jewelry
The Greeks and Romans took snake symbolism to new heights. In Greek mythology, snakes were often seen as creatures of transformation and healing. The god Asclepius, associated with medicine, carried a staff entwined with a serpent, which remains a symbol of medicine to this day. This idea of transformation made snakes the perfect emblem for rebirth and healing, a theme that resonated deeply with the ancient world.
Meanwhile, in ancient Rome, snake jewelry wasn't just about aesthetics—it also served as a kind of talisman. Romans believed snakes were protective and could ward off evil. Bracelets, rings, and necklaces with coiled snake designs became a popular choice among Roman women, a subtle but powerful nod to both fashion and superstition.


Victorian Snake Jewelry // Walton's Jewelry
The Victorian Era: A Serpent Love Story
When we think of snake jewelry in the Victorian period, there's no escaping Queen Victoria's role in making it the height of romantic fashion. In 1839, when Prince Albert proposed to her, he gave her an engagement ring in the shape of a serpent, which symbolized their everlasting love. In Victorian symbolism, the snake biting its own tail (known as the ouroboros) became a motif of eternal life and endless love.
After this iconic engagement ring, snake jewelry took off in a big way. Victorians were all about symbolism in jewelry, and the serpent offered an irresistible blend of mystery and romance. Snake rings, snake bracelets, and snake necklaces became symbols of loyalty and eternity, as the serpent shape naturally forms an unbroken loop. If you were a romantic Victorian, you might have given (or received) a snake ring as a pledge of undying love, hoping the symbolism would protect your relationship.
As the art world shifted towards Art Nouveau in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jewelry designers took snake motifs in a new direction. The Art Nouveau movement celebrated natural forms, flowing lines, and organic shapes, making the sinuous body of a snake an ideal design element. In Art Nouveau jewelry, the snake transformed from a symbol of romance to one of sensuality and beauty.


Victorian Snake Jewelry // Walton's Jewelry
Today, collectors and enthusiasts prize Victorian snake jewelry for its history and deep-rooted symbolism. In a way, wearing snake jewelry today connects us back to that Victorian sentimentality and romance. Each time you slip on a snake ring or wrap a coiled bracelet around your wrist, you're tapping into the Victorian dream of eternal love and loyalty. And as trends come and go, one thing's clear: the allure of the serpent, once a mark of Queen Victoria's undying love, is truly timeless.