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Snake Day
“Appalachia is a land of contrasts—of beauty and hardship, of pride and poverty, of deep tradition and stubborn independence.”
~ James Still (1906-2001)
Among the many tartans woven with meaning, the Blackburn Tartan is one of the few to pay tribute to the scaly and slithery kind. Designed by Jean-Louis Blackburn for his extended family scattered throughout the Appalachian region, this bold pattern features black, yellow, and scarlet—echoing the vivid warning colors of the coral snake. These hues are more than ornamental: they symbolize the real and present dangers faced by generations of Blackburns as they journeyed through the wild, green expanses of the New World.
But the snake is more than just a creature of caution—it also serves as a symbol of resilience and defiance. The tartan offers a subtle nod to the iconic "Don't tread on me" motto, connecting the perils of the natural world with the trials of survival.
Appalachia, a vast and rugged region stretching along the spine of the eastern United States, has long been a refuge and stronghold for immigrants seeking a life shaped by independence and self-reliance. Among the earliest and most influential settlers were Scots and Scots-Irish (Ulster Scots) immigrants, who arrived in waves during the 18th century. 🖤 💚 ❤️ 💛 🐍
For those who appreciate the sinuous and slithery, today is World Snake Day!
Children (and adults) are often taught one of several versions of a snake poem to determine if a snake is venomous or not. “Yellow touching red: You’re dead”, “Red against yellow can kill a fellow”, or “Red touching black: Safe for Jack” are the most common versions of the chant, though others exist. While this is often a reliable way to determine if a snake is venomous or not, it is not a fail-safe.
A good example of where this rhyme fails is with the coral snake versus the shovel-nose snake. Both snakes have yellow bands that touch red bands. Only a bite from the coral snake will be life-threatening. Though this mix up is harmless—the shovel-nose snake is seen as poisonous when it is really not—it still shows the old adages can be incorrect. This rhyme becomes deadly when the eastern coral snake, which holds true to the rhyme, is compared to the South American coral snake, which has black bands touching red bands. Best to learn only regional rhymes.
If you are a serpent enthusiast, you may enjoy these special snake portraits by Joel Sartore from the National Geographic website which are actually quite stunning.
Click the Blue Ridge mountains to visit!