Oct 03, 2017 ouroboros is an ancient infinity symbol that has been used widely in many different cultures throughout the world during the course of history. The outside of the second gilded shrine shows scenes and text that are part of a netherworld book that is rather unique and cryptographic. The first known appearance of the ouroboros motif is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld depicted on the second gilded shrine of tutankhamun. Media in category ouroboros the following 122 files are in this category, out of 122 total. The enigmatic netherworld books of the solarosirian unity. Ouroboros the ouroborus is an ancient egyptian symbol that has been assimilated into several cultures and beliefs. Scholars have dubbed the book the enigmatic book of the netherworld as it speaks of the journey of the sun through the underworld and the creation of a sun disc. Ouroboros, or the serpent which bites or swallows its own tail, is a well known symbol in esoteric doctrines. The symbol is depicted as a snake eating its own tail. A circular symbol of a snake or dragon devouring its tail, standing for infinity or wholeness. Its roots go back to ancient egypt where it is first seen in the pyramid of unas as a serpent entwined by a serpent connoting a union of opposites. An ouroboros is a snake or dragon biting its own tail, thus building a circle. Ouroboros the serpent ouroboros surrounding a circle with lettering in latin and hebrew, pen and watercolour drawing from clavis inferni sive magia alba et nigra approbata metratona late 18th century. The mysterious origin of the ouroboros and secrets of mehen.
In an illustration from this text, two serpents, holding their tails. A picture of the ouroboros is in the egyptian book of the netherworld. Here, re is represented by means of sun disks in each scene, and even to each figure within the scenes, for the disks are usually connected to the figures by rays of light. The first known appearance of the ouroboros motif is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, an ancient egyptian funerary text in kv62, the tomb of tutankhamun, in the 14th century bc. Detail of ouroboros from enigmatic book of the netherworld discovered in the tomb of king tut.
The term ouroboros is derived from two words in ancient greek language. The enigmatic book of the netherworld is a twopart ancient egyptian funerary text inscribed on the second shrine of the sarcophagus. Sep 04, 2017 the first known appearance of the ouroboros motif is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, an ancient egyptian funerary text in kv62, the tomb of tutankhamun, in the 14th century bc. The term enigmatic here refers to it being written in cryptographic code, a new kingdom practice also known from the tombs of ramesses ix and ramesses v. Mehen, the god, held an extremely important role for the rebirth of the sun god ra on his nightly journey through the underworld. The text concerns the actions of the god ra and his union with osiris in the underworld. The ouroboros can also represent cyclicality the end is the beginning.
Jung also defined the relationship of the ouroboros to alchemy. It is a symbol for death and rebirth, renewal of life, and also a symbol for the cosmos or endless cycles in the universe. Apr 11, 2017 first known appearance of this symbol is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, used around 1600 bc, as a symbol for sun, believed to have represented atens travels. See more ideas about new tattoos, ouroboros tattoo and art. A serpent, dragon or worm that eats its own tail, a representation of the continuous cycle of life and death. It is a serpent, more often a dragon, biting its own tale basing on the phenomenon that occurs in the wild. The ancient egyptian netherworld books are among the most extensive religious texts from pharaonic civilization and present humanitys oldest surviving attempts to provide a scientific map of the unseen realms beyond the visible cosmos. An underrated book series entitled the worm ouroboros, was essentially the precursor of the lord of the rings, and as you would expect, pervades the idea of receptive cycles. Few images are as enigmatic as the ouroboros, the serpent consuming its own tail.
Darnell argues that the central theme of the enigmatic book s is a permanent fusion between ra and osiris, rather than a temporary one. This mysterious symbol first appeared in ancient egypt in the tomb of tutankhamun in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, and has persisted through to the modern day through almost every society including norse mythology, in which the ouroboros represents jormungandr, the child of loki and angrboda. Ouroboros definition of ouroboros by the free dictionary. The first known appearance of the ouroboros motif is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld depicted on the. The black book, a sourcebook for spells in the black arts, was the textbook of the black school at. Cryptographic compositions in the tombs of tutankhamun, ramesses vi and ramesses ix volume 198 of orbis biblicus et orientalis, issn 10151850 schriften zum internationalen privatrecht u. Originating in ancient egyptian iconography, the ouroboros entered western tradition via greek magical tradition and was adopted as a symbol in gnosticism and hermeticism and most notably in alchemy. The following is a 1478 drawing by theodoros pelecanos, of an alchemical tract attributed to synesius. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. That is why it is called the enigmatic book of the underworld. Ouroboros definition and meaning collins english dictionary.
The ouroboros is a greek word meaning tail devourer, and is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. Section a of the enigmatic book of the netherworld in the second part of the composition referred to as section b, we find three registers that each contain three scenes. The earliest version is found on the second sarcophagus shrine of tutankhamun, while later versions are found in the tombs of ramesses vi and ramesses ix. Its first known appearance was in ancient egypt, where it appears in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, a twopart funerary text uncovered in the tomb of tutankhamun. Ouroboros, a snake biting its tail interfaith forums. It can be perceived as enveloping itself, where the past the tail appears to disappear but really moves into an inner domain or reality, vanishing from view but still existing. Ouroboros symbol meaning, history, and design closet of. This page is about the meaning, origin and characteristic of the symbol, emblem, seal, sign, logo or flag. The first reference to the ouroboros in text is traced to this time too. The enigmatic books of the netherworld are funerary texts found in royal tombs from the new kingdom.
It is a representation of the cyclical nature of life and the universe, eternity, an endless cycle and transforming that which it has ended into something new. The ouroboros has several meanings interwoven into it. Pronunciation of ouroboros with 3 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, 4 translations, 1 sentence and more for ouroboros. In the pagan systems the symbol of the snake is equal to wisdom remember that the catholics call mary seat of wisdom, the circle represents eternity and is also a symbol for a deity in the chaldean language. The first known appearance of the ouroboros motif is in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, an ancient egyptian funerary text in kv62, the tomb of.
The name ouroboros is greek in origin but it dates back to ancient egyptian times. Unfortunately, other scholars have attacked both of darnells major claims, and it doesnt seem to be a mere disagreement about how to interpret the evidence. The texts which accompany some of the illustrations are cryptographic in order to preserve the secrecy of the formulas. The egyptian ouroboros and the enigma of our fractal reality. In the ouroboros, we find this divine archetype combined with the snake, the symbol of wisdom, creative life force and transformation.
See more ideas about ouroboros tattoo, eternal return and occult. Ouroboros has been said to have a meaning of infinity or wholeness. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The worm ouroboros its a 520page epic with an elizabethan twang, but er eddisons circular myth, the worm ouroboros, has won me over. The first, complete english translation of the ancient egyptian netherworld books. The earliest record of the ouroboros iconography was found in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, an ancient egyptian funerary text dating back to around 1600 bc. Definitions of the worm ouroboros, synonyms, antonyms, derivatives of the worm ouroboros, analogical dictionary of the worm ouroboros english. The ouroboros was also associated with the yin yang symbol because half of its body was depicted as dark while the other half was light. May 02, 2020 ouroboros plural ouroboroi or ouroboroses mythology a serpent, dragon or worm that eats its own tail, a representation of the continuous cycle of life and death. A picture or symbol representing the first definition. The ouroboros, or uroboros, is a symbol of a dragon, serpent or snake devouring its own tail. Although likely a much older symbol, the first evidence of the ouroboros comes from egypt in 1400 bc in the enigmatic book of the netherworld, a funerary text discovered in the tomb of the young pharoah.
238 684 1033 883 1254 1356 957 966 502 1372 1168 85 559 793 671 62 1235 1428 1364 359 243 608 54 63 301 342 1347 622 1231