OUROBOROS

The ouroboros – uroboros – 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. Some snakes, such as rat snakes, have been known to consume themselves.

Name and interpretation The term derives from Ancient Greek οὐροβόρος from οὐρά oura 'tail' plus -βορός -boros '-eating'. The ouroboros is often interpreted as a symbol for eternal cyclic renewal or a cycle of life, death and rebirth; the snake's skin-sloughing symbolises the transmigration of souls.

The snake biting its own tail is a fertility symbol in some religions and the tail is a phallic symbol and the mouth is 'yonic' or womb-like symbol. What does an ouroboros symbolise?

• Rebirth Immortality 
• Eternity and Infinity 
• Protection Self-reliance 
• Nature’s Cycles 
• Unity Rainbows 
• Aurorae