Ophiolatry
/ˌɒfiˈɒlətri/noun
The worship or veneration of snakes.
Did you know?The related term Ophites was applied to certain second-century Gnostic groups whose serpent symbolism could represent hidden knowledge rather than simple evil.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁ogʷʰis
“Snake or serpent”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄφις (óphis)
“Snake or serpent”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λατρεία (latreía)
“Worship, ritual service, or devotional service”
Late Greek
Greek
ὀφιολατρεία (ophiolatreía)
“Serpent worship”
19th Century
English
ophiolatry
“The worship or veneration of snakes”