The Ouroboros is an intriguing ancient symbol which has fascinated philosophers for centuries. The symbol depicts a dragon or snake biting its own tail, which many experts believe to be an enigmatic symbol representing fundamental concepts around life, death, and nature.
Let’s disconnect ourselves from the rigours of life for a moment to understand the history and symbolism behind the Ouroboros and why it’s important.
The Ouroboros: What it is and history
What the Ouroboros is and its symbolism
Throughout humanity’s history, there have been many symbols which have intrigued and fascinated both casual history buffs and professional historians alike. However, the Ouroboros remains one of the oldest ones, shrouded almost completely in mystery.
Throughout history, the Ouroboros has been found in different civilisations – from Greek and Egyptian to Nordic and Indian.
The symbol represents a snake biting or swallowing its tail, so essentially, it shows a beginning without an end, which could possible suggest an eternal cycle, as the “snake” is motionless yet in eternal movement.
The Ouroboros’ symbolic meaning has had different interpretations throughout history, although many researchers, philosophers, and scientists will agree that it represents eternity, cyclicity, and rebirth. This cyclicity is certainly evident in the seasons, as well as life and death itself, and even the universe – a universal energy, so to speak, that’s consumed and renewed perpetually.
Ancient history
The Ouroboros has enjoyed a rich history dating back to ancient times. In fact, the very first traces can be found in the ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman civilisations.
However, its origins are, apparently, derived from Egyptian culture where the oldest representation of the symbol can be traced back to an ancient Egyptian funeral text called The Enigmatic Book of the Netherworld.
One of the works in the funeral text, Hieroglyphika, deals with the Egyptian hieroglyphs of 4th to 5th century AD. Horapollo or “Orapollo”, the supposed author of the text, states that the Ouroboros symbolises the universe and its continuous cycle of renewal. He goes on to say that when the Egyptians want to represent the universe, they draw a serpent eating its tail, a way to show that the universe undergoes an annual renewal cycle, all generated by divine providence.
In ancient Egyptian culture, the Ouroboros can also represent a ‘Sata’ or primordial serpent which surrounds the world, as if shielding it from all kinds of cosmic enemies. However, it is also associated with the Egyptian goddess, Uadjet, which symbolises eternal protection.
The Ouroboros’ origins can also be traced back to ancient Greek culture, where the Greeks often linked it to the idea of infinite history and eternal return – effectively symbolising the infinite cycle of the universe and time itself. The Greek alchemists believed that the Ouroboros is a ‘palingenetic’ symbol which means “born again” – symbolising the alchemical process – that is, the cyclic process of distillations and condensations needed to purify and bring oneself to genesis or the ‘original state’.
In Roman mythology as well, the Ouroboros was associated with the idea of circularity and eternal return: the snake biting or swallowing its tail was a symbol of constant renewal and continuity.
In Norse mythology, the Ouroboros was called “Jormungandr” or the Viking serpent-dragon of the world. Legend has it that Jormungandr bit its tail after surrounding the Earth, which symbolised the cyclicity of nature and the glaring distinction between good and evil.
Is the Ouroboros linked with psychology?
Yes, in a way, it is. It has been cited and interpreted in many different psychological contexts by a number of theorists and scholars. For instance, it is most commonly associated with the idea or concept of self-consciousness – that is, looking within oneself and the continuity of time.
To Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, the German philosopher, philologist, cultural critic, and poet, the Ouroboros represented eternal return or, in other words, the concept of time and the Earth being cyclical, repeating itself endlessly.
The Swiss psychologist, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist, Carl Jung, came up with a theory around the Ouroboros: a symbol of the archetype of individuation, representing the never-ending process of development and personal growth.
For the German philosopher, psychologist, and writer, Erich Neumaan, who was interestingly a student of Jung, the Ouroboros symbolised integration and primordial unity, depicting the interconnection between the conscious and unconscious.
How is the Ouroboros seen in different cultures or regions?
Mythological narratives have emerged from various cultures around the world featuring the Ouroboros.
The oldest Ouroboros depiction in history comes from Egypt, the tomb of Tutankhamun, to be specific, which dates back to 14th century BCE. A serpent can be seen encircling the sun god, indicating life’s and death’s eternal cycle, which has been an important concept in how the Egyptians understood the afterlife.
In China, which is rich with dragon lore, dragons are often illustrated in an Ouroboros-like loop. Artifacts dating back to 206 BCE – 220 CE (Han Dynasty) depict dragons holding their tails, which symbolises the cycle of life and the perfect harmony of Yin & Yang.
In Indian culture and specifically Hinduism, the Ouroboros is interpreted through Ananta, the cosmic serpent, who encircles the world – a theme which is actually quite evident in ancient Hindu artwork and scriptures.
The South American tribes see the serpent as a prominent symbol of time and continuity. The Moche culture in Peru, which was rampant between 1st and 8th centuries CE, produced ceramics featuring serpents in closed loops.
In Indonesia, and especially within Balinese tradition, the Ouroboros presence is abundant in the form of the serpent, Basuki. Temple carvings featuring Basuki date back to 15th century CE, depicting the serpent as the guardian of the underworld.
Closing thoughts
In modern times, the Ouroboros remains a powerful and fascinating puzzle, inspiring and stimulating human thought.
The Biker Ring Shop honours the Ouroboros, along with its unique traditions and beliefs, with the ‘Red Eyes’ Snake Dragon Sterling Silver Bracelet – a beautiful Ouroboros-style bracelet for those who love mythology, symbolism, and the meanings associated with wearing this mythical serpent.