A Baltic snake brooch from the Viking Age.

The snake brooch has the shape of a sun wheel ending in four snake heads. It was made after a grave find in Kernave in the Anduliai Kretinga region of Lithuania and dates to the Viking Age of the 9th to 10th century AD. The spiral vortex symbolises the sun and thus stands for prosperity, growth and happiness. The snake is a symbol of health, long life and rebirth. The brooch was therefore probably intended to give its owner both protective and promising power. The four ends of the snake brooch symbolise the four cardinal points, which also refer to the four seasons. The north stands for winter, the east for spring, the south for summer and the west for fall.

The design of this Baltic snake brooch is reminiscent of the late antique Tetraskelion brooches with horse heads, which were widespread throughout the Roman Empire from the 3rd to 6th century. Similar to the Baltic snake brooch, the Roman Tetraskelion brooches have the form of a sun wheel with protomes (head decorations) in the shape of horse heads. The Roman horse-head brooches were widespread as soldier brooches among the eastern auxiliary troops and were typical of the Roman cavalry units recruited from Pannonia.

Dimensions
Diameter: 4 cm
Weight: 5 g
Material: Bronze