There is one animal that has had a special place in mythology, religion and the visual arts through all eras and cultures--the snake. The snake protects extraordinary treasures and is extremely knowledgeable, but can also be frightening and dangerous.<br><br><i>Dangerous and Divine: The Secret of the Serpent</i> follows the snake's journey from prehistoric African cave art to the work of present day artists. Why is the world fascinated with this particular reptile? The book explores various disciplines, including archaeology, anthropology, art history, esotericism, psychology and biology, in its attempt to answer this question. The snake has always played a special part in the transition to new stages of life, it unites opposites and can be seen as the ultimate symbol for the riddle of our existence.