Serpentine

Semi-Precious · Magnesium Silicate

The ancient stone of wisdom and kundalini awakening.

• Wisdom
• Kundalini
• Longevity
• Protection
• Nature
• Cleansing

Serpentine is a group of green magnesium silicate minerals that often resembles green marble. The name comes from the Latin 'serpentinus' because its mottled green pattern resembles snakeskin. It has been carved into sacred objects, jade substitutes, and talismans since ancient times. Chinese culture prized serpentine as a form of jade and New Zealand Maori used it alongside genuine nephrite greenstone.

Healing

Detoxification, Emotional Clearing, Kidney Health, Longevity, Stress

Everyday uses

Italian verde antico: a dark green serpentine marble used extensively in ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture — columns in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul are verde antico. Carved into jade substitute objects in China and other cultures without access to genuine jade. Chrysotile (fibrous serpentine) is the most commonly used form of asbestos in construction history. Road construction: crushed serpentinite rock is used as road building material. Scientific research into serpentinisation is relevant to the search for life on Mars and other planets.

Spiritual meaning

Serpentine is a powerful cleanser of the emotional body and an activator of the kundalini energy — the primal spiritual energy said to lie dormant at the base of the spine. It helps clear old, stuck emotional patterns and energises the entire system for spiritual growth and healing. Connected to wisdom, longevity, and the regenerative power of nature.

Formation

Serpentine forms through serpentinisation — when hot water reacts with olivine-rich rocks deep in the earth or on the ocean floor, transforming them into serpentine minerals. This process happens at relatively low temperatures and is associated with plate tectonic movements at ocean floor spreading centres.

Where it is found

Found worldwide: Italy (Val d'Aosta — the famous verde antico marble), USA (California — the state rock), Russia, China, New Zealand, India, Canada, and South Africa. It frequently occurs in mountain ranges formed by ancient ocean floor collisions.

Zodiac

Gemini, Scorpio, Aries

Chinese element

Snake, Dragon, Rabbit, Horse