In Judges second chapter it is mentioned that once Israel ‘forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth’.
Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with dragon-like wings, hands and feet, a second pair of feathered wings after the main, wearing a crown, holding a serpent in one hand, and riding a wolf or dog. Holding a serpent in one hand is an important depiction. This serpent could have had been the same one who deceived Eve in Eden. He is definitely the rival of Lord.
Overall the Jew’s history also denotes a strong abhorrence for any representation of ‘serpent’ (except Moses’ rod gets transformed into a serpent by God’s order). But overall serpent is taboo.
Contrary in Indian culture serpent is worshipped. How the converted communities of India would have had accepted (or still accepting) these age old symbols of Christianity is crucial aspect that should be studied
