Ouroboros meaning is existence & destruction, endless cycle, and rebirth. The snake in the ouroboros symbol began to consume itself by eating its own tail. But this extinction will be the beginning, not the end of it. Because without destroying the previous life, it cannot start a new one. This cycle goes on like this forever. So is nature. It constantly renews itself. Even if there are storms or great disasters, the seasons continue to flow. As if nothing had happened, snowdrops sprout from the snow and say hello to the world. Life is a cycle, so it is one and all.

Ouroboros: Snake Eating Itself

We see the story of a snake that kills itself while eating and gives birth again, in the symbol of the ouroboros. The word origin of the ouroboros means “who kills its own tail”. There are so many important meanings hidden in the simplicity of this symbol. That’s why we have compiled for you its place in different cultures and the perspectives of famous thinkers!

In Different Cultures Ouroboros Meaning

Ouroboros is a mythological symbol that symbolizes eternity. The snake biting its own tail means that the reincarnated being repeats this process forever, that is, becoming immortal. The Ouroboros is a complete puzzle to anthropologists. Because they had discovered that this symbol was a common symbol like evil eye that emerged from cultures that were independent of each other with their history or geography. It is attractive and intriguing because it is used not only in ancient Egypt or Greece and Anatolia but also in China and even the Aztecs.

The ouroboros snake, which is mentioned in the holy texts of Hinduism in the farewells and has traces in many cultures, is also associated with Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, and this symbol was used in the Janus statues placed at the entrances of the city.

We also find symbolism of Ouroboros in Norwegian mythology. Ragnar’s snake eye son, named Simurg, is the embodiment of this symbolism.

In ancient African beliefs, the definition of the universe was made with the symbol of the ouroboros. To them, there was only one thing that was even greater than what was not lacking; it also needs nothing and its power comes from itself. The Ouroboros was therefore conceived as a symbol explaining the universe. It describes a repetitive life with motion and rotation just like planets. It doesn’t need perception. That’s why ouroboros doesn’t need limbs either. According to ancient African beliefs, the Ouroboros snake is the symbol of our self-sufficient, cyclical universe.

In Greek mythology, ouroboros appears on the shield of Athena. According to Scandinavian mythology, ouroboros snake meaning is the serpent that surrounds the world and precedes Gilgamesh, and eats the herb of immortality.

Alchemical Ouroboros

“My beginning is in my end, my end is in my beginning.” This sentence is almost one of the basic principles of alchemy and is the summary of the ouroboros story. The Ouroboros is an important alchemical symbol. It is associated with prima materia, which is considered to be the basis of all materials. Since the gods were associated with animals in Egypt, the basic substance of alchemy had to be both a natural and a divine object. The Ouroboros also symbolized the universal and temporal cycle in alchemy.

Ouroboros Origin

The roots of the Ouroboros symbol go back to the 14th century BC. Its first use in literature is found in the inscriptions used in ancient Egyptian funerary rituals. These inscriptions were read in funeral rites to help preserve the soul of the deceased in later life. Especially in Tutankhamun’s tomb inscriptions, two snakes figures eating their own tail are found. The double ouroboros meaning is as follows according to the inscriptions: one of these snakes represents the sun god Ra and the other represents the underworld god Osiris. The figures in question appear at the very moment of the union of Ra and Osiris. Again, according to the inscription, this united figure of Ra and Osiris represents the beginning and the end of time.

Endless Bond: Snake Eating Its Tail

The Ouroboros is the serpent depicted in the shape of a circle, describing integrity and continuity. This symbol, usually depicted in the form of a ring, was used as a wedding ring for couples in Ancient Egypt to ensure that marriages would last forever. In the following periods, the tail and head of the snake were disabled. Thus, wedding rings, which are still used today, were formed.

Nietzsche and Ouroboros

Nietzsche’s book of jovial science inspired by “Snake eating its own tail”.

What would happen if, one day or night, a genie snuggled up next to you in the solitude of solitude and said to you:

“You have to live the life you now live, have lived once again countless times. Nothing new will happen in these lives; every pain, every joy, every thought, every sigh, everything inexpressibly small or large in your life will necessarily come back to you, all in the same order, even this spider. The hourglass will be turned upside down, again and again, you a grain of dust, you with it.”

Would you throw yourself on the ground and grit your teeth, and curse the elf that talks like that? Or, once you have had such a glorious moment, would you rather reply:

“You are a god, I have never heard anything more divine than that.” When that thought took over you, it would change you to you, or perhaps crush you. The question in everything, in every single thing, is “Do you want this again, do you want it countless more times?”

The question would put the greatest weight of all on all your actions. Otherwise, why should you have to make yourself, life good, longing above all for this end, eternal affirmation, determination.

In the words of Friedrich Nietzsche:

“Everything goes, everything comes back, the wheel of being eternally revolving. Everything dies, everything blooms again; the year of existence lasts eternally.”

Ouroboros Carl Jung

The ouroboros symbol to this day. In later years, the ouroboros symbol is used by psychologist Carl Jung to illustrate the relationship of a person with their shadow. For him, “This ‘feed-back’ process is at the same time a symbol of immortality, since it is said of the Ouroboros that it slays itself and brings itself to life, fertilizes itself and gives birth to itself!”

Carl Jung saw individuation as one of the greatest necessities of human life. Individualization has a very important place to establish a happy life and healthy relationships. Ouroboros is also an omen whose power is always hidden in itself, just like the phoenix being reborn from its ashes. Independent from the outside, free and strong with its own individuality.

The Magic of Opposites

Snake eating itself meaning is life & death, end & beginning, repetition & regeneration, past & future, end & eternity, self-feeding & self-harm. Ouroboros meaning is the holism with all its opposites. Many people who embrace accepting these contrasts in their lives today use the Ouroboros symbol on their necklaces, tattoos, jewelry, and decorations. Thus, they see and repeat its message from time to time. You can choose these practical ways to incorporate a message into your life.