Prudence, mirror and serpent

[rtreeves]

Why is Prudence often represented with a mirror and a serpent?

Is she looking at herself in the mirror or using the mirror to look over her shoulder?

What do the mirror and the serpent represent?

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

http://www.prudential.co.uk/prudentialplc/aboutpru/history/values/prudence/

Prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues; Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Since Greek and Roman times Prudence has been personified as a woman holding a serpent and a mirror. She may also be shown with compasses, representing her measured judgement, a book or a spindle.

One of the things that a Serpent symbolizes is Wisdom, and some of the things that a Mirror symbolizes are Truth and Self-Realization. Add them up and you get “prudence”.