Have you ever wondered about the spiritual significance of your snake plant? This plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, is more than just a pretty face in your home décor. It’s a powerful symbol of positive energy, protection, and good luck, making it a valued plant in Feng Shui.
You’ll find it brings a calming and positive vibe to your home, primarily when situated in the southern or eastern corners.
But that’s not all! This succulent purifies the air and produces oxygen at night, promoting better sleep quality. It’s also revered in traditional herbal medicine for its therapeutic properties.
So, step into the world of the snake plant, a humble houseplant with significant spiritual meaning.
TLDR: Snake Plant Spiritual Meaning
The Snake Plant, or Dracaena trifasciata, is a cherished houseplant known for attracting luck and positive energy. It symbolizes peace and tranquility and is often a spiritual shield against negative energy and trauma. Its simple care and air-purifying qualities make it a beneficial addition to any home.
Symbolic Significance: Zaps Positive Energy Into Your Space
The Snake Plant, has long been considered a talisman of prosperity in Chinese folklore. Whenever people hand this plant to you, the purpose is to bring more harmony into your life.
Followers of tradition believe all those disputes and frustrations will dissociate when this plant enters your home.
Followers of Feng Shui typically associate this plant with “chi energy,” which is the purest energy to come out of us when we are still and relaxed. It is also known as the positive energy of the universe.
Unlock Your Third Eye & Intuition
Spiritual experts also believe this plant can heighten your intuition.
If you believe in the Hindu chakra system and how energy moves through the human body, having a Snake Plant in your home should excite you. It’s thought that this plant opens your third eye, the center of your intuition, and improves your thinking.
If your thoughts have been cloudy or it seems hard to concentrate, this is the plant for you.
Feng Shui Interpretations
In Feng Shui, this succulent is recognized for its ability to promote positivity, reduce negative energy, and foster balance in your living environment.
The snake plant, with its upright, pointed leaves, is often associated with the wood element in Feng Shui. This element symbolizes growth, vitality, and upward movement, which aligns perfectly with the plant’s natural tendency to grow vertically.
To help you understand the spiritual meanings behind the snake plant’s Feng Shui interpretations, consider the following table:
| Snake Plant Characteristic | Feng Shui Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Upright, pointed leaves | Symbolizes growth and upward movement |
| Wood element | Represents vitality and life energy |
| Ability to purify the air | Helps in cleansing negative energy |
It Helps You Build A Sacred Space
If your home lacks a peaceful environment where you can be at ease, then it may be time to build an altar where you can meditate in times of stress. Altars don’t need to have hundreds of deities.
You can start by finding a corner of your home and placing a few Snake Plants.
The goal is to promote a sense of serenity and mindfulness. After adding a few Snake Plants, you can decorate the space with pillows, a yoga mat, and anything else you’d like to make you feel at ease.
The point of having Snake Plants in your area is to promote a grounded sense of energy.
However, it’s important to know that according to Feng Shui, you can’t simply place these plants anywhere in your house. There’s a map called the Bagua Map, which shows different locations around your home and where you should furnish items.
For instance, you should leave these plants out of your living room as living rooms tend to have excess wood elements. Since Snake Plants also represent the wood element, it may be best to place them elsewhere.
These attributes make snake plants ideal for fostering positive energy in your environment. The plant’s capacity to purify the air is believed to help cleanse your space of negative energy, thereby promoting a sense of balance and tranquility.
So, whether you’re new to Feng Shui or a seasoned practitioner, incorporating a snake plant into your space can be a powerful tool in your spiritual journey along with other benefits.
Embrace its potent symbolism and let it infuse your living environment with positivity and balance.
Protection Against Negative Energy
According to spiritual beliefs, this plant also protects you from the unwanted negative intentions of others. For instance, if someone comes into your home wishing you ill, this plant acts as a shield to neutralize that energy.
You can consider it as your mini protector from psychic attacks.
In West African culture, Nigerians believe that this plant provides spiritual protection and that if you have had the “evil eye,” this plant can cure you.
An evil eye is a curse that transcends multiple religions worldwide, and you can receive this from someone who wishes ill on you. The symptoms include lethargy, headaches, fuzzy thinking, and bad luck without explanation.
It’s Not All Woo-Woo, Ask Science Too: Purification & Protection
If you’re a skeptic about spirituality but still want a healthy space, then you’re in luck. NASA proved the Snake Plant in the 1980s to help purify the air in indoor areas.
As part of a 10-plant study, scientists found this plant to absorb more than 30,000 micrograms of formaldehyde in less than 24 hours.
You can place the snake plant in your living area or workspace to combat the harmful effects of toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
The plant converts carbon dioxide to oxygen at night, improving the air quality without much light or water needed. Making it an ideal choice for bedrooms, helping you get a restful night’s sleep by increasing the oxygen levels.
Less carbon dioxide in our homes can result in fogginess regarding our thinking and less productivity.
When there isn’t much oxygen, the study says that six to eight plants are needed to infuse more oxygen into the air.
You likely will still have to adjust lighting, temperature, and watering practices to ensure these plants reach their full potential. However, you must ensure that you only place a little water, as the plant may rot over time.
Think of it as your silent guardian, ceaselessly working to purify your surroundings while you sleep or go about your day.
Therapeutic Properties
Aside from their protective qualities, these leafy guardians also possess therapeutic properties that can contribute to your well-being. Their healing potential is a little-known secret, but it’s worth exploring.
Snake plants are believed to alleviate various ailments, making them more than an attractive addition to your home. For starters, snake plants are thought to help with headaches.
If you frequently battle these painful nuisances, consider placing a snake plant in your living area. The plant’s ability to purify the air by removing toxins can help reduce your headache triggers. Plus, the soothing green of their leaves can provide a calming visual focus, easing the stress that often accompanies headaches.
Snake plants are also said to counter fatigue and nausea. Their night-time oxygen production can improve your sleep quality, which in turn can combat fatigue.
As for nausea, while scientific evidence is limited, some people find the presence of a snake plant comforting during illness or discomfort.
You’re not just inviting good luck and positivity by welcoming these popular houseplants into your space. You’re also investing in your good health in an organic, natural way.
Cultural & Traditional Uses
You’ll find these plants have a rich history steeped in culture and tradition.
Snake plant originates from tropical Africa, where it was revered for its robust and resilient nature. Its stiff, erect leaves that resemble swords were believed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits.
That’s why these spiky plants were often placed in entrances of homes, acting as a protective shield against negative energies.
In some African cultures, the snake plant was considered a bringer of good luck. It was often gifted to others as a sign of wishing them prosperity and good fortune.
This tradition has continued in modern times, where snake plants are commonly given as housewarming gifts. The belief is that the plant’s strong life force will infuse the home with positive energy, attracting luck and abundance.
The Snake Plant also has significance in Indian, Chinese, and Korean cultures as well. It’s believed that when you land a new job, buy a home, or have a new beginning; people will give you this plant.
Hard workers will also feel some connection to this plant as it relates to the Capricorn sign, which symbolizes working diligently to achieve results and success.
Even today, the snake plant is more than an aesthetically attractive houseplant. It’s a symbol of resilience, protection, and good fortune. This makes it a great addition to your home decor and a meaningful gift to share with those you care about.
So, embrace the snake plant spiritual benefits, tap into its therapeutic properties, and let it elevate your space’s energy. Remember, it’s not just a plant; it’s a bearer of good luck and positivity.
Snake Plant Disadvantages
This article would not be complete without talking about some of its challenges. Here’s a quick rundown of the nine Snake Plant disadvantages:
1. Toxicity: Can be toxic if ingested, causing symptoms ranging from nausea to respiratory distress.
2. Slow Growth: These plants are slow growers, often requiring a larger pot or more light to thrive.
3. Bad Luck / Feng Shui: Some cultures believe snake plants can bring bad luck or negative energy, especially when placed in the bedroom.
4. Falling Leaves: Overwatering or poor potting conditions can lead to falling leaves.
5. Not Flowering: Not all snake plants flower, and those that do can take several years to produce blooms.
6. Propagation Issues: Propagating can be a slow process and they can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.
7. Temperature Sensitivity: Snake plants are sensitive to extreme temperatures and are not frost-hardy.
8. Overwatering: Overwatering can lead to root rot.
9. Pests & Diseases: Can be susceptible to fungal attacks, bacterial infections, and pests.
Despite these, with the right care, the snake plant can still be a rewarding addition to your indoor garden.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.