Ouroboros Tattoo Meaning
The ouroboros — a serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail — is one of the oldest symbols in the world. Its search interest has grown fast this year.
Where it comes from
An early form of the image appears in ancient Egypt, including in a funerary text found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The Greeks gave it its name, which means "tail-eater", and later alchemists used it as a symbol of the unity of all things.
Eternity and the cycle of life
The serpent has no beginning and no end. It stands for eternity and for the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth — everything that ends becomes the start of something new.
Self-renewal
By feeding on itself, the ouroboros renews itself. It can stand for self-reliance, personal transformation and breaking old patterns to start again.
Unity of opposites
In alchemy the ouroboros joined opposites — beginning and end, creation and destruction, the conscious and the hidden. It is often drawn half light and half dark.
Ouroboros Tattoo Questions
What does an ouroboros tattoo symbolize?
Eternity, the cycle of life and death, and self-renewal.
Where does the ouroboros come from?
From ancient Egypt; the name is Greek, and the symbol was later used by alchemists.
Is an ouroboros the same as an infinity sign?
They share the meaning of eternity; the ouroboros is a serpent eating its tail, the infinity sign a looping line.