Nāga: Divine Serpent Beings

mythology · serpents · Asian traditions · water spirits

Shape-shifting serpents. Nāgas can change their appearance to look fully human, fully serpent, or half of each. Artists in ancient Asia loved showing them with human bodies and snake heads or necks.

Ancient worship traditions. People in South Asia have performed rituals and prayers to honor Nāgas for at least 2,000 years, making them some of the oldest religious figures in the region.

Divine family tree. According to legends, all Nāgas are the children of a wise sage named Kashyapa and a goddess named Kadru, making them brothers and sisters in one big supernatural family.

Underground rulers. Nāgas live in the netherworld called Patala, an underground realm where they are often shown as powerful and wise beings connected to water and treasure.

Female power. A female Nāga is called a Nagini, and she holds just as much importance and magic as the male Nāgas in these ancient stories.