The Ouroboros (Greek Οὐροβόρος or οὐρηβόρος, from οὐροβόρος ὄφις “tail-devouring snake”, also spelled Uroboros in English), is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail and forming a circle.
Ouroboros
The Serpent biting its own tail is first seen as early as 1600 years BC in Egypt. From there it moved to the Phonecians and then to the Greeks, who called it the Ouroboros, which means devouring its tail.
Greek alchemists later adopted the ouroboros. The symbol was possibly a variant symbol for Hermes, Mercury, Thoth or other related deities, who under the name Hermes Trismegistus, was the mythical founder of alchemy.
Though the symbol of ouroboros is widespread, its meaning is not universal. Its ancient meanings (rooted in alchemy arts) included the values of wholeness, transformation, integration, balance, and self-sufficiency. Sometimes, it is meant to symbolize the joining of opposites, similar to the yin-yang; suggestive that opposites not only coexist but are also related in a cyclical manner. In this context, ouroboros is sometimes depicted as half light and half dark. It was also used as the symbol for alchemy in the Middle Ages, as the goal of the practice was to join the conscious with the unconscious mind.
The ancient symbol Ouroboros
Ouroboros symbols black and white
Ouroboros as emblem of mortality
Ouroboros dragon
One should mention the dream of August Kekule, who sees atoms flutter before him in long lines, “twisting and turning like snakes.” Then one snake seizes its own tail and whirls in front of him. He awakens and realizes that benzene has a cyclical structure. The Ouroboros is thus a symbol of “benzene”, which takes it from the alchemical to the chemical.
You may check out: Image and Reality: Kekul, Kopp, and the Scientific Imagination (Synthesis)
by Alan J. Rocke
Cheers,
WL
That was one hungry snake. And one very gook Lance Henriksen TV show.
I’d just like to note that I’m the creator of the Asian-inspired ouroboros at the bottom, there, in case anyone is curious. It was originally commissioned by a private party, and we’d both appreciate it if folks could avoid using it as tattoo flash or things like that.
Feel free to keep it in this article, though. :>
@TK – I love your Asian-inspired dragon ouroboros. I considered it as a tat since I appreciate the meaning of the symbol and I was born also year of the dragon. I will not use it or any form of this per your request. Love your work!