Satanic Temple Holiday Display Returns To Illinois Capitol

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Chicago chapter of The Satanic Temple has once again installed a holiday display in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda in Springfield. The statue portrays a woman's left hand, wrapped in a snake and offering an apple to the viewer, and an inscription on the pedestal reads, “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift,” according to a release from The Satanic Temple.

The display is returning despite a senator's efforts to have it removed from the Capitol last holiday season.

The woman's hand and forearm in the sculpture symbolize those of Eve, who took the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, according to the Bible. The design of the statue "keeps with The Satanic Temple’s values of advocating knowledge and rationality over superstition, ignorance and dogma," according to the news release.

"The Satanic Temple - Chicago appreciates this constitutionally protected opportunity to contribute its perspective to the numerous religious viewpoints on display in the Capitol during the winter holiday season," the chapter wrote in a release sent to Patch.

The Satanic Temple - Chicago chapter was established in February 2018, according to the release.

"To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions," according to The Satanic Temple.

Related:

• IL State Senator Calls For Satanist Display To Be Removed
• Satanic Sculpture Joins Christian, Jewish Displays At IL Capitol

The state of Illinois is legally required to allow the Satanic display in the Capitol, just as it is required to allow a nativity scene and a menorah to be displayed.

The display, which the group has dubbed "Snaketivity," will be on display until Dec. 28, according to the chapter.

More: What is Satanism?