Snake/Lightening

[Nana40]

I was out prospecting this week in a very overgrown, rocky, mountainous, snake infested area this week and came across an etching on a beech tree at the top of the mountain. :P I didn't have my camera with me...left it in the truck to lighten the load while climbing. I knew I should'a took it! Anyhow, was wondering around in the woods looking for a foundation that I had seen a couple of years ago and ended up on top of the mountain. At the top was a beech tree that was big enough for me to have reached around it three times or more. Knowing that folks like to carve on these trees I went around and looked for marks on it. There were a couple of initials, then on the back side was this really big rattle snake in the shape of a lightening bolt. I hate that I didn't take my camera, but when I got home I tried to remember what it looked like and made a crude drawing of it. Now..question is...could this just be someone knows there are rattle snakes around and took the time to etch one on the tree...OR could it mean something more important? Odds are I won't be going back to this site till winter....rattle snakes everywhere here!

 

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[djui5]

Probably drawn by Indians to warn about the snakes in the area.

 

[Hoss KGC]

Of course it's difficult to assess without seeing the actual carving and knowing where it sits, but I'd say there is more meaning than a warning for snakes. I would bet the toungue represents a creek fork. I would expect the tail is giving a distance. Often when the distance markings are getting larger or smaller they are indicating that you will be traveling up or down a hill or mountain. I would imagine there is a whole lot more being said.
Good luck,
Boattow

 

[Nana40]

Thanks for the replies ya'll! I'll post the picture when I can get back there.

Nana

 

[Smee]

If I remember right (I'll have to look up the site again) the "lightning snake" has to do with medicinal herbs used by the indians.

The reason I remember it is because I have found a Indian thong tree with one carved on the east side of it.

 

[Nana40]

HMMM...that sounds interesting, Smee. Thanks!!

 

[BigRon]

CAUTION!!! The lightning bolt often warned of a booby trap!

 

[Nana40]

Got it! Welll...a fellow Tnetter went in and got the picture for me! Thanks James of Alabama!
I wasn't too far off on the drawing. :P

 

[Old Dog]

NANA,
I was wondering if you were going to remember this sign.
This is beautiful.!!!
It warns you of the snakes.

The lightning bolt ids a Spanish sign that warns of imminent death.
The snake , warns of danger pending.

The two combined would warn of the symbol shown.
This is of course my own opinion.
But wow, what a sign.
The age of this sign you are showing says it is probably a hoot owl tree.

Thom
OD

 

[Hoss KGC]

"The age of this sign you are showing says it is probably a hoot owl"

I'm curious what you mean by that statement?
Thanks,
Boattow

 

[Old Dog]

Only that the sign doesn't look as old as it might need be to be spanish.

 

[Nana40]

Thank you, OD!