Snakes have been important figures in myths around the world. They have been used as symbols and have even been mythological creatures. As symbols, they symbolized guardianship, fertility, rain, "rebirth, transformation, immortality and healing" (Myths Encyclopedia Serpents and Snakes). It is quite amazing that these animals have had such an impact on different cultures around the world by appearing in different myths and legends portraying good or evil. In Norse mythology, the snake can be seen as a creature that was Loki's son. It grew so large that it encircled the earth and was known as the Midgard serpent. This serpent was killed by Thor who was in turn killed by the snake. In this myth the snake portrayed an evil that posed a threat to both the human race and the Norse gods. Traveling to central america, the Aztecs worshiped a mythological being that they called Quetzalcoatl. He was portrayed as a feather serpent. Quetzalcoatl was a culture hero to the Aztecs. The deity symbolized life itself as well as many aspects of their culture. He was thought to have created humans and was responsible for helping the Aztec people with everything that they learned and by protecting them. In this sense he was very much a culture hero.(Myths Encyclopedia Quetzalcoatl).
As you can see by these two examples from two completely different cultures, the serpent was an important figure in mythology. There are many more myths and legends that associate serpents with symbols. There are also many that portray them as mystical creatures that were either good or evil. This portrayal depends on the culture that you look at as well.
Quetzalcoatl genzoman.deviantart.com
"Midgard serpent" by Stuart John Martin
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Sa-Sp/Serpents-and-Snakes.html#b http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Pr-Sa/Quetzalcoatl.html#b
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