The World Serpents represent

The World Serpents represent two things: life and purpose. In their creation story, the serpents are the ones who pulled the world together and made it inhabitable. In Tess’ mind, however, the serpents provide a chance to understand herself and why she was given life in the first place. For Pathka, they represent a reason for his existence and the life that he believes his people should strive for. When Tess finally sees one of the serpents Anathuthia, she comes to understand her life because the serpent strips away everything that pushes her toward death. Tess’ life formally starts over at this exact moment, as the serpent undoes her like it did the world, and lets her begin anew.