Ophis

Ophis is the ancient Greek word for serpent or snake. In classical literature, the term denotes snakes in natural history and myth, and it has persisted as a root in modern scientific and cultural vocabulary related to snakes.

In biology and taxonomy, the root oph- appears in terms describing snakes, such as ophidian or ophidio-, and historically the grouping Ophidia referred to snakes as an order. Modern herpetology, however, generally classifies snakes within Serpentes, with older classifications sometimes found in scientific literature.

In religious and philosophical contexts, Ophis appears in the tradition of the Ophites or Ophians, a Gnostic group named after the serpent. In their symbolism, the serpent was associated with knowledge and revelation, rather than purely negative associations found in some other traditions.

In astronomy, the name appears in Ophiuchus, the constellation whose name means “serpent-bearer” in Greek. Ophiuchus is depicted as a man grasping the serpent that lies across the celestial sphere, and the figure is connected to mythic and zodiacal symbolism.

Overall, ophis functions as a linguistic and cultural root tied to snakes, spanning language, taxonomy, myth, and astronomy. Its usage reflects the enduring prominence of the serpent in human thought and representation.

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