What does the Snake represent?

I replied in another thread in the same vein, but while it is easy to see how one would come to this conclusion if one came from a culture where christianity was common, it is probably not accurate. This film is based on a real person, who really was crucified. In feudal Japan, crucifixion was used instead of seppuku or beheading on the most reviled criminals. In the case of a person of the samurai class, it would be the most shameful possible way to die. As a matter of fact, the symbol of the crucifix was something that was a great obstacle to the spread of christianity upon it's introduction to Japan. In this film the serpent is used as a symbol of celestial power. While one can never say with absolute certainty what a filmmakers intentions are, The possibility of Miike using christian symbolism in his films is unlikely in the extreme. Christianity is rare in Japan, and it isn't likely that Miike is all that familiar with it.