What does the ouroboros symbolize?

What does Ouroboros symbolize? Ouroboros is a gnostic and alchemical symbol that expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation.

What does the snake eating its own tail represent?

What does ouroboros mean? The ouroboros is an ancient symbol of a snake or serpent eating its own tail, variously signifying infinity and the cycle of birth and death.

Is ouroboros a deity?

Both Ouroboros are manifestations of the deity Mehen, who in other funerary texts is protecting Ra during the underworld journey. The whole divine figure represents the beginning and the end of time. We know about the Ouroboros thanks to the Greek magical tradition.

What mythology is ouroboros from?

Norse mythology
In Norse mythology, the ouroboros appears as the serpent Jörmungandr, one of the three children of Loki and Angrboda, which grew so large that it could encircle the world and grasp its tail in its teeth.

What do tails symbolize?

The tail can symbolise vulnerability and being controlled and captured. Whilst cats use their tail to distract and mesmorise their prey and peacocks make great show of their tail in mating and fending off attack.

Is ouroboros the world serpent?

Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, in Norse mythology. Ouroboros, a world serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail. Shesha, the serpent containing the universe in Hindu mythology.

Why does the ouroboros eat its tail?

The ouroboros or uroboros (/ˌjʊərəˈbɒrəs/) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The ouroboros is often interpreted as a symbol for eternal cyclic renewal or a cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

How old is the ouroboros?

It’s an ancient circular symbol, dating back to 5000 BC, which depicts a snake or dragon eating its tail. Archaeologists discovered the oldest known example of an ouroboros on a jar that is possibly 7,000 years old.

What is the spiral of life?

Most scholars believe the spiral of life represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Others say this deeply mystical symbol represents the male, female, and child on the path of life. Another interpretation is that it also represents the Triple Goddess.