The Ouroboros Meaning and use in
Jewelry Design
Ancient alchemy symbol that
symbolizes the equality of the internal and external
in the alchemist's soul.
Ouroboros Symbol Meaning
Have you ever seen this curious image of a snake or a dragon
coiled upon itself with its tail in its mouth, in effect forming a
ring or a circle? The earliest known appearance of this image was
in Egypt in the year 1600 BC. From there it eventually got passed
on to Greece. This image is the ancient symbol Ouroboros, from the
Greek word “Oura” meaning “tail” and “bόros” meaning “eating.”
Across ancient cultures, the Ouroboros has come to symbolize many
different things, yet they all somehow point to the same
fundamental truths. It depicts the cyclic nature of the universe,
how the end is also the beginning, the eternal cycle of death and
renewal, how light gives way to dark and how dark eventually gives
birth to light, over and over.
The Ouroboros symbol frequently used in Alchemical illustrations
as symbols of nature’s circularity. Ouroborus images have been
found in ancient Egypt, India, Greece, Japan, Native Americans,
Europe, and even in China. The symbol can also be found in the
form a biblical serpent representing the serpent from Garden of
Eden.
Plato used this symbol to describe the first living thing in the
universe. He chose that symbol because in the beginning there was
nothing, so the living thing consumed and became itself. The
concept was of a self-sufficient being.
Using the Ouroboros in Jewelry
Each Ouroboros piece is the result of extensive knowledge and
intimate understanding of ancient symbols and their significance
in our lives. The Ouroboros symbol when fashioned into jewelry
enables the wearer to draw inspiration from it on a more personal
level.
The Dragon Pendant
This pendant’s clever use of the ouroboros to form the Gordian
Knot makes for a solid symbol of unity that seeks for the wearer
oneness with all that surrounds him or her.
The Infinity Dragon
A special piece made from the union of not two but three symbols,
namely the ouroboros, the Mobius loop, and the infinity symbol.
The Ouroboros represents how the end is one with the beginning.
The Mobius loop depicts how there is no difference between the
inside and the outside. The infinity symbol represents eternity.
Together, these three symbols can very well be the ultimate symbol
for infinite unity with the universe.
The Divination Pendant
The Divination Pendant is David’s encapsulation of one of
humanity’s greatest desires, to be able to see into the future.
The lizard sheds its skin and regrows its tail. It is seen as the
ability for constant renewal. Engraved on the upper part of the
pendant, “Behold the Glory of the First Cause”, relates to the
very moment of the creation of the universe, the same moment in
time that holds within it all the future events, including us and
everything we know. The pendant thus seeks to endow its wearer
with a complete and more in-depth understanding of the concept of
time and the ability for divination.
The Ouroboros Earrings
Depicted by itself, here the symbol represents the eternal
changing of the universe, which we experience as time. The
earrings are meant to bring the wearer a more definite sense of
her oneness with the environment in which she finds herself.
The Ouroboros Ring
Represents the courage to face and accept life’s challenges and to
evolve with them. The ring is intended to empower the wearer to
roll with the times and to recreate oneself constantly.
The Ouroborus Pendant
About the Author
David Weitzman
The jewelry artist David Weitzman combines ancient and sacred knowledge into a unique line of jewelry designed to bring people both beauty and inspiration. David's artwork harnesses the power of spiritual symbols and sacred geometry from around the world to bring those wearing this sacred jewelry happiness, vitality, excitement, and love.