The symbol you’re referring to, a snake eating a man, is known as the “Biscione” or “Vipera” and is the emblem of the House of Visconti, a noble family from Milan, Italy. The Visconti family used this symbol as part of their coat of arms. Alfa Romeo, an Italian automotive company, adopted the Biscione as its logo.

The Biscione represents a serpent or grass snake consuming a human figure. The exact origins and meaning of this symbol are not entirely clear, and there are different interpretations. One common interpretation is that it symbolizes the Visconti family’s triumph over its enemies. The snake may represent the Visconti family, and the human figure could represent a defeated enemy or a Moor, which was a symbol associated with their rivalries.

As for why Alfa Romeo adopted this emblem, it’s often linked to the company’s historical connections to Milan and the Visconti family. Alfa Romeo was originally founded in Milan in 1910, and the use of the Biscione in its logo may reflect a sense of local pride and historical significance.

In terms of the logo’s association with the automotive brand, it’s essential to note that the meaning may have evolved or become more abstract over time, and the Biscione is now widely recognized as a symbol of Alfa Romeo.