Lessons From the Ouroboros

The ouroboros has been illustrated in different ways throughout history, from Ancient Egypt to the Renaissance. Continue on to learn more about what this unique image symbolizes and the lessons that it has for you.

What is the Ouroboros?

The ouroboros has been recorded in many different variations throughout thousands of years of history. The oldest-known illustration of the ouroboros was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, dating back to the 13th century BC. From Ancient Egypt. Depictions of the ouroboros have been found in India and Greece, followed by the alchemists of the Renaissance period. Each image shows a dragon, serpent, or snake swallowing its tail, symbolizing a multitude of things, including the cycle of death and rebirth, fertility, karmic cycles, and eternal love.

All Things Are Cyclical

Within its circular design, the ouroboros quite literally illustrates our cyclical nature. We experience cycles in so many aspects of our lives, whether it’s moving through a calendar year, the seasons, or even our body’s internal cycle. In so many ways, the earthly plane revolves around these cycles and is heavily influenced by those patterns. Traveling beyond the earthly plane, the ouroboros symbolizes themes in our lives or spiritual practice that we cannot see, including eternal love and the cycle of death and rebirth. 

When we look at all of these pieces together, the ouroboros can help us to recognize the trust that we so often look for in a spiritual practice. The cycles we experience on Earth are predictable. We can count on the seasons and on Wednesday to follow Tuesday. In the same way, we aim to find trust with the Universe, our highest self, and divine timing. The ouroboros is a reminder that no matter where we are in life, there are still lessons to be learned. Still, within the cycles of life, there will also continue to be opportunities to celebrate hardships and embrace positivity.

With Each End Lies A New Beginning

Endings make us uncomfortable in life because they lead us to the unknown. It’s a sudden removal from our comfort zone and exposure to what remains a secret to us—the opportunity that we have yet to recognize. Endings are inevitable, but instead of fearing them, the ouroboros serves as a reminder that with each end comes a new beginning. A new job, relationship, friendship, or opportunity that can help serve you and your highest purpose is waiting around the corner, sitting quietly until you feel like you are ready and deserve to receive it. Within life, there is death, but in death, there is also rebirth. It’s within that cycle that we can find comfort in knowing that we are only strangers to the unknown for just a brief moment. 

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