Most people will look at you curiously when you mention the word ouroboros, but almost everyone will recognize the symbol when they see it. so what is an ouroboros? is the ancient symbol of a serpent or dragon biting its own tail.
the uroboros symbolizes totality or infinity.
It is a representation of the constant recreation of oneself and the cycle of life that, like the phoenix, renews itself even when it ends.
this mysterious symbol first appeared in ancient egypt in the tomb of tutankhamun in the enigmatic book of the underworld, and has persisted to this day in almost all societies, including norse mythology, in which the ouroboros represents jörmungandr, the son of loki and angrboda. In this legend, Jörmungandr became so big that he could go around the whole world and bite his tail with his teeth.
Ultimately, all societies see ouroboros as the epitome of infinity and renewal. it is a universal concept that has a mystical meaning in all cultures now. it is one of the most beautiful ways to express the concept of self-renewal, and is a symbol of knowledge and acceptance. is an expression that says “with every ending comes a beautiful new beginning.”
This is an interesting example of an ouroboros tattoo that also incorporates a simple script. here, an interwoven double serpent design is used instead of the simpler ouroboros often depicted. the saturation of the black in the background is solid and increases the contrast, allowing for better definition of the snakes’ bodies. the stippling work for the animal skin is loose enough to feel organic without appearing sloppy or unintentional. The script is also interesting – it’s a take on Aleister Crowley’s famous quote “do what you will” and further illuminates the mystical meaning this tattoo has for the wearer.
This simple design shows the artist’s attention to detail and makes for a visually pleasing tattoo. the shape of the circle is nearly perfect and the line work is consistent and exact, while the use of varying densities in the stippled shading helps create contrast with negative space reflections. the artist is also able to give the snake’s face a surprising amount of character despite the minimalist design. the addition of flowers and small designs on the body of the snake adds a personal touch and helps make this tattoo unique.
While the Ouroboros is often visualized as a serpent, dragons have long been associated with this mystical symbol, and here the artist uses a gray wash and illustrative design to create a unique fantasy-style dragon. the scales are consistent and well applied; however, it is the face of the dragon that really sets this tattoo apart. the level of detail and the use of shading, as well as black and gray shading, for true quality to the face, help to complete the design. the scruffy tail tufts add to the mythical quality of the design – this could be a creature straight out of the dungeons & dragons.
This is a great tattoo that puts a twist on traditional ouroboros designs. this artist and client opted for a realistic rendering of a rattlesnake, complete with consistent scale work and realistic detail – it almost doesn’t look like an ouroboros design, until you notice the snake starting to eat its own tail. the shading on the snake’s body is expert, changing as the snake wraps around the wearer’s body and the use of a drop shadow under the snake increases the contrast with the wearer’s pale skin tone and helps give the tattoo a depth that makes the snake stand out .
This is an amazing black and gray full sleeve that incorporates a number of mystical symbols and images to create a stunning tattoo. At the top of the piece, on the shoulder, is a figure 8 ouroboros surrounding an “all-seeing eye” and a mandala. On the inside of the bicep, as well as the back of the forearm, there are also mandalas that use sacred geometry, as well as a skull at the bottom of the design. the attention to detail and intricate patterning is remarkable – note the fine-line geometric patterns on the outside of the wrist, as well as the super-dense stippled shading below the skull. This amazing tattoo is a testament to the artist’s skill and serves as a monument to the wearer’s respect and fascination with the occult.
here’s another ouroboros design that uses sacred geometry to great effect. contained within the snake is a tetrahedron formed with the use of negative space and dashed shading. This shape is an integral element in sacred geometry and, like the Ouroboros, is associated with the unity of the physical and the spiritual. While the deep meaning behind this design is obvious, the technical details are what make it an amazing tattoo. consistency in negative space, as well as the planning required to ensure intersection points remain precise, put the artist’s skill on full display. Varying stippling densities, from near full coverage to negative space, are expertly applied and really help this design stand out from less intricate tattoos.
frequently asked questions about ouroboros tattoos
what does the symbol of a snake biting its own tail mean?
The uroboros is an interesting design that symbolizes infinity, regeneration and the interconnected nature of the universe. First appearing in ancient Egyptian iconography, the image of a snake biting its own tail found its way into Western traditions via Greece and eventually became a key image and concept in alchemy.
Ouroboros represented the transmigration of the soul and symbolized the human experience that extended beyond the physical world into the next plane. More recently, this design has entered popular culture and has been used everywhere from the television series Dr. who and the x-files to the magic of the fantasy card game: the meeting. This ancient and powerful symbol has mystical meaning and is a great subject for tattoos.
