Bronze Ouroboros

The Ouroboros In its original and most common variation, it depicts a snake eating its own tail in a closed circle. Known as the oldest allegorical symbol in alchemy, the ouroboros, to greek alchemists in the 3rd century AD, represented the concept of eternity and endless return, as well as the unity of time’s beginning and end. The ouroboros in its original Egyptian context symbolized repetition, renewal, and the eternal cycle of time. From a Gnostic viewpoint, the opposing ends of the ouroboros were interpreted as the divine and earthly in man, which, despite being at odds with one another, existed in unison nonetheless. And the ouroboros went on to enjoy much popularity among Renaissance alchemists. Again representing the infinite nature of time and the eternal, it was seen in the eyes of the alchemists as the ultimate obstacle to be overcome – their incessant struggle; for to become immortal – their chief aim was to break the incessant cycle of the ouroboros once and for all.