This small vase depicts the Snake-limbed Goddess as depicted on a Palatial Cretan Sarcophagus, 14th -13th Century BCE. The Snake appears in many ancient Creation Myths. In one Greek myth, Gaia the most ancient Goddess, created the first snake Ophion from the North Wind. Together, they danced upon the waves of Chaos and created the Cosmic Egg from which our Universe was hatched. The snake's seasonal renewal of shedding its skin made it a sacred symbol of immortality for our ancestors. The flowing designs of Spirals were believed to awaken dormant life force and were associated with healing. These designs were carved on the walls of Paleolithic caves (15,000 BCE). Stoneware Clay. 4.5 inches diameter.