A cup of coffee in the company of snakes – this unusual offer has appeared ahead of the Chinese New Year in a pet shop in Taipei.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, which will begin on Wednesday, January 29, and this year will be under the sign of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac, the streets of Asian cities are filled with images of this reptile, symbolizing wisdom and sharpness of mind.
However, the symbolism of the snake is not so straightforward – it varies in Taiwanese and Chinese cultures, where it can symbolize either good or evil. Some indigenous peoples of Taiwan revere snakes as guardian spirits.
There are also local superstitions in Taiwan that seeing a snake in a dream is an omen of financial losses. Some island residents believe that a white snake in a dream foretells the birth of a son, while a black snake symbolizes the birth of a daughter.
In ancient China, snakes were considered symbols of harvest, good offspring, longevity, and good fortune.
According to 42-year-old pet shop owner Lu Chi-yu, who opened the shop in 2017, the opportunity to interact with snakes over a cup of coffee is aimed at changing perceptions of these creatures. "I give people the chance to meet the snakes and see if they like them, without any prejudices," he said.
Taiwan, with its mountainous terrain and subtropical climate, is home to about 60 species of snakes, including vipers and cobras.
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