Ouroboros Symbol – Meaning, Interesting Facts and Origins

The ouroboros (/ˌʊərəˈbɒrəs/) or uroboros (/ˌjʊərəˈbɒrəs/) is an ancient symbol depicting a snake 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.The term derives from Ancient Greek οὐροβόρος, from οὐρά oura 'tail' plus -βορός -boros '-eating'. The our