Lizard A lunar creature; the humid principle; believed to be tongueless and subsist on dew, the liza

Lizard

A lunar creature; the humid principle; believed to be tongueless and subsist on dew, the lizard was a symbol of silence.

In Egyptian and Greek symbolism, it represented divine wisdom and good fortune and was an attribute of Serapis and Hermes; in Zoroastrianism it was a symbol of Ahriman and evil.

In Christianity it is also evil and the Devil. The lizard is an attribute of Sabazios and usually appears on the hand of Sabazios.

In Roman mythology it was supposed to sleep through the winter and so symbolized death and resurrection. The lizard Tarrotarro is an aboriginal Australian culture hero.

[Source: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper]