The snake in Persian culture holds opposing meanings. In Zoroastrianism, the serpent is a hypostasis of Angro Mainyu; Azi-Dahak is the “strangler,” enemy of the sun god. With Islam, symbolism changed: the snake represents life—el-hayyah, el-hyat, and El-Hay, a name of God meaning revival. Thus it animates and supports life. On Persian carpets, the snake is associated with wisdom and a guardian role.