Evans, Arthur J.: The Palace of Minos: a comparative account of the successive stages of the early Cretan civilization as illustred by the discoveries at Knossos (Band 4,1): Emergence of outer western enceinte, with new illustrations, artistic and religious, of the Middle Minoan Phase (London, 1935)

176

SNAKE KNOTS

;d together, and this inter-

ri„a from DencM the bodies are actually plaitec
weaving is itself a characteristically snake-hke feauue.

Snake Knots.

In connexion with images of the Minoan Snake Goddess and the
:oils with which they are associated, and of certain knots and

serpenti

ne cc

Fig. 137. Self-knotted Blind-worm {Axguis frag/l/s).

Fig. 138. Bronze Figure (Berlin Museum), a, Back: View; b, Side View.
Natural plait-work of a quasi-relio-ious class, the intricate fashion in which the

snake ., . . . ■." • v • 1 IKr

knots and reptiles interlace with each other and even tie themselves up individual!)
deserves some consideration. At times we see single knots such as that
made by a blind-worm (Anguis fragilis), Fig. 137.1 At times whole

symbol in which a male figure stands astride 1 After a sketch by C. C. Hopley »n

grasping two serpents whose tails cross below British Reptiles, p. 86. Structurally, Anguis

fragilis links on to the lizards.

inter
lacings.

his feet.