Centipede (Animal Archetype)

Chaos - Psychopomp - Trickster - Protection against poison and decay - Venomous - Descent into the underworld - Fertility - Purification - Underworld - Death - Transformation

Summary

The invertebrate creature symbolically opens the gateway to the underworld and offers protection against the dangers and venomous beings lurking in the subconscious. They emerge at night to hunt for insects and other small invertebrates. In Mayan, Chinese, and Egyptian mythology, it is considered an antithesis to the snake and dragon, symbolizing the antidote to poison. It is also associated with sunrise and sunset, accompanying the sun's journey through the underworld. Through various mythological attributes, this archetype is associated with the alchemist's process of purification. Jung refers to the descent into darkness as nekyia. In psychology and alchemy, Jung uses this Greek word to refer to a "journey to Hades," a descent into the realm of the dead. It opens the gateway to the underworld, serves as a talisman against poisonous creatures, and is a sign of fertility.

Mythology

In ancient Egypt, the god Sepa played a significant role in certain regions. He was worshipped as the protector of the deceased, preserving them from decay and granting protection from venomous creatures to the living. He played a role as a protective deity in incantations against malicious animals. Sepa was also associated with fertility and had the ability to ward off snake bites and scorpion stings.

The Book of the Dead establishes a connection between Sepa and Anubis, the Egyptian god of death. Interestingly, the centipede with its 42 legs is associated with the 42 provinces of ancient Egypt and the relics of Osiris. A road called the "Road of Sepa" led from Heliopolis, the city of the sun, to the necropolis of Giza. This road symbolized the connection between Sepa and the world of the deceased. Sepa was particularly worshipped in Heliopolis, which had been a regional center between the north (associated with vultures) and the south (associated with snakes) since pre-dynastic times. Sepa was also mentioned in the opening-of-the-mouth ritual during the process of mummification and associated with the four cardinal directions. The existence of the "Road of Sepa" further reinforced the connection between Sepa and the necropolis. Sepa is sometimes referred to as "the divine body of Osiris." Sepa also played a role in rituals against Apophis, the serpent of chaos, and the elder Horus. Sepa's association with these rituals, his protection against snakes and other dangerous creatures, and his connection to the annual flood made him a part of Egyptian mythology. Horus is associated with Sepa in Coffin Text 280: "Your legs are Sepa." The metaphor carries the meaning of overcoming obstacles, protection and defense, or the diversity and versatility that Horus requires through Sepa.

In Mayan culture, the centipede is revered as the "Great Lord of the Sun" and is associated with solar aspects. It symbolizes the entrance into the underworld and is associated with both the night sun and the rising sun. Traditions establish a connection between the number seven, the centipede, the bird, and the sun god. The centipede marks the boundary between day and night and represents transition in general (psychopomp). The centipede is also referred to as the fire serpent. In Japanese and Chinese legends, the centipede appears. The Ōmukade is a gigantic man-eating centipede that lives in the mountains. Although it preys on humans, it has a weakness for human saliva. It also feeds on large snakes and dragons.

In Taoist alchemy, the centipede is considered part of a combination of five poisonous reptiles that can counteract harmful influences. The centipede is seen as the ringleader of the poisonous five.Korean legends tell a story of a centipede fighting a snake for the ascent to heaven. A poor man encounters a woman who invites him to stay with her. When he returns home, he learns that his family is well provided for thanks to the woman's help. Later, he encounters a snake that advises him to kill the woman. The man refuses, and the centipede is eventually able to ascend to heaven.

Sources:

Egypt: https://henadology.wordpress.com/theology/netjeru/sepa/, https://unorthodoxcreativity.com/emky/info/sepa-centipede-god/, https://www.landofpyramids.org/sepa.htm

Maya: The Centipede in Maya Art and Culture, Monika Ciura

Asian: https://worldbirds.com/centipede-symbolism/

Hint: The original text is written in German. I used chatGPT for the translation. I didn't find any archetypal meaning, so I thought I could share it with you. During my encountering with the unconsciousness, some old gods from Egypt appeared in my active & passive imagination. The journey into the dead is a blast. Wonder whatever the images are imagination service rather than meaning services.