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Ouroboros
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- The ouroboros or uroboros (/ ˌjʊərəˈbɒrəs /; / ˌʊərəˈbɒrəs /) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The ouroboros entered Western tradition via ancient Egyptian iconography and the Greek magical tradition. It was adopted as a symbol in Gnosticism and Hermeticism and most notably in alchemy.
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The ouroboros or uroboros (/ ˌ j ʊər ə ˈ b ɒr ə s /; [2] / ˌ ʊər ə ˈ b ɒr ə s / [3]) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon [4] eating its own tail. The ouroboros entered Western tradition via ancient Egyptian iconography and the Greek magical tradition .
Discover the profound symbolism of the alchemical dragon in this captivating exploration of its meaning. From Robert Vaughan's iconic illustration to the dance of opposing forces and the elixir of transmutation, delve into the world of alchemy and the unity amidst duality.
Oct 25, 2024 · Ouroboros, emblematic serpent of ancient Egypt and Greece represented with its tail in its mouth, continually devouring itself and being reborn from itself. A gnostic and alchemical symbol, Ouroboros expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Ouroboros is an emblematic serpent of ancient Egypt and Greece represented with its tail in its mouth, continually devouring itself and being rebor...
- Ouroboros is a gnostic and alchemical symbol that expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually...
- While the word Ouroboros has its origins in the Greek language, representations of the symbol itself have been documented as far back as the 13th a...
- The Ouroboros serpent is meant to be a positive symbol that represents unity and the natural eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. It is un...
The Alchemy Dragon was released on September 26, 2024 during Summerthings Magical II.
- Nature
- History/Beliefs
- Art/Fiction
Etymology
The name ouroboros (or, in Latinized form, uroborus) from the Greek 'ουροβóρος' meaning "tail-devourer".
Description/Morphology
The ouroboros is usually depicted in the form of a snake swallowing its tail, and is usually circular, although it is sometimes depicted in a lemniscate shape. Plato described a self-eating, circular being as the first living thing in the universe — an immortal, perfectly constructed animal. In some representations the serpent is shown as half light and half dark, echoing symbols such as the Yin Yang, which illustrates the dual nature of all things, but more importantly, that these opposites...
Symbol
The serpent biting, devouring, eating its own tail symbolises the cyclic Nature of the Universe: creation out of destruction, Life out of Death. The ouroboros eats its own tail to sustain its life, in an eternal cycle of renewal. It is also an emblem of immortality. Its endless representation with its tail in its mouth (Ouroboros), and the constant renewal of its skin and vigor, enliven the symbols of continued youth and eternity. Alchemically, the ouroboros is also used as a purifying glyph....
Culture
The Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. The serpent or dragon appears in Aztec, Middle East, and Native American mythologies, among others. The depiction of the serpent is believed to have been inspired by the Milky Way, as some ancient texts refer to a serpent of light residing in the heavens.
Popular culture
1. In the television series Red Dwarf, Dave Lister is placed inside a box with the word 'Ouroboros' on it; in this case, 'Ouroboros' reflects a cyclical aspect of Lister's existence, as by a time paradox he is his own father. 2. In the television series The X-Files, Dana Scully gets an ouroboros tattoo in the episode "Never Again". This was something of an in-joke, as Chris Carter's Millennium featured the ouroboros in its title card. 3. In the anime television series Full Metal Alchemist, th...
See also
1. Apep 2. Caduceus 3. Jörmungandr 4. Leviathan 5. Shesha 6. Vrtra
External links
1. Ouroboros Images 2. The Ouroboros Research and Education Trust 3. OUROBOROS - Symbols
Mar 21, 2022 · This particular Ouroboros comes in the form of a dragon with its tail in its mouth, creating a circle with its body. Encircled inside is a hexagram, a symbol often associated with alchemy as well as human creation.
In alchemy, dragons often mirror the serpents of the caduceus —a symbol of healing and balance. The image of two dragons facing each other evokes the union of sulfur and mercury, the alchemical marriage of opposites that leads to creation.
