Definitions for ouroboros
ouroboros

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ouroborosnoun

   A serpent, dragon or worm who eats its own tail, a representation of the continuous cycle of life and death.

2. ouroborosnoun

   A picture or symbol representing this.

3. Etymology: From οὐροβόρος.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ouroboros

   The ouroboros or 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. The term derives from Ancient Greek οὐροβόρος, from οὐρo 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: the tail is a phallic symbol and the mouth is a yonic or womb-like symbol.Some snakes, such as rat snakes, have been known to consume themselves. One captive snake attempted to consume itself twice, dying in the second attempt. Another wild rat snake was found having swallowed about two-thirds of its body.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ouroboros

   The Ouroboros or Uroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The Ouroboros often symbolize self-reflexivity or cyclicality, especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end. It can also represent the idea of primordial unity related to something existing in or persisting from the beginning with such force or qualities it cannot be extinguished. While first emerging in Ancient Egypt, the Ouroboros has been important in religious and mythological symbolism, but has also been frequently used in alchemical illustrations, where it symbolizes the circular nature of the alchemist's opus. It is also often associated with Gnosticism, and Hermeticism. Carl Jung interpreted the Ouroboros as having an archetypal significance to the human psyche. The Jungian psychologist Erich Neumann writes of it as a representation of the pre-ego "dawn state", depicting the undifferentiated infancy experience of both mankind and the individual child.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ouroboros

   The ouroboros symbol -- In this Symbols.com article you will learn about the meaning of the ouroboros symbol and its characteristic.

How to pronounce ouroboros?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say ouroboros in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ouroboros in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ouroboros in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ouroboros
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=ouroboros