Ouroboros tattoo. Sketch, meaning around the arm, leg, wrist, back, neck

In Egypt, the oldest images of the uroboros, a snake or dragon, swallowing its own tail, curled up in a ring, date back to 1600 BC. From there the symbol came to Europe. But to call the symbol Egyptian is not possible, because the same used by the Scandinavians, Aztecs, they were found in India and China, and cultural communication routes in those days between the peoples were very weak.

What can this mysterious symbol, used in most of the great cultures of antiquity, mean? What meaning did it carry before and what meaning is it used for now, what will it mean in a tattoo? About this in more detail.

Meaning in Egypt

In Egyptian tradition, the ouroboros itself, that is, the snake or dragon itself, coiled in a ring and biting itself by the tail, is a symbol of infinity. All that has no beginning and no end, but, nevertheless, there is. It symbolized eternal life, the transition to another state after death, not a complete disappearance, as the existing can not disappear into nothing - the system is closed, as the ancient serpent, trying to swallow itself. This is the basic meaning of the symbol, in particular the tattoo, to this day. This is so because it is in the Egyptian cultural tradition that the place of the uroboros, for historians and cultural historians of our time, is most obvious.

Technique of execution

The seeming simplicity of the symbol's appearance is deceptive. There are a lot of variants and ways to express a tattoo with the figure of Ouroboros. Our masters will help you to choose an image according to your desires, as well as help to give it exactly the meaning that is close to you.

Colorful or monochrome tattoo is only your choice. In monochrome, the tattoo will look gracefully simple. However, the modern Ouroboros tattoo is not limited to color options. Now you can choose an original design in a variety of color combinations that will become your calling card. Such tattoos in any style look amazing.

Meaning in Indian culture

But this symbol was used quite widely in India, where its interpretation also has its own nuances. There, the uroboros is one of the incarnations of the god Shesha, the holder of all the planets. He represents the residual energy, from the creation of all worlds, i.e. the original chaos, which was before the beginning of time in Hindu philosophy. It looks like not just a snake biting its own tail, but wraps itself in a ring around the earth and guards it. This is what gives a tattoo with an ouroboros and a protective meaning.

Choice of location

On sketches with uroboros stop fans of tattooing, regardless of gender and age. The uniqueness of the unique design allows you to decorate the space of the shoulders, back and chest, as well as the upper and lower extremities, to place the picture on the neck with a multi-valued symbol.

Combined versions of the plot with a smooth transition from one part of the body to another are not excluded.

Around the arm.

Tattoo with a snake, girdling the shoulder or forearm, looks especially graceful on a woman's hand, enhancing the elegance of the image. Such an imprint on the hand of a representative of the stronger sex will emphasize the strength of the male limb. The area of the forearm is characterized by a large area, and the work on the drawing will be almost painless.

That is why the uroboros are most often placed here, because such an illustration looks quite effective. If girls more often choose colored motifs, men prefer black and white symbols.

The main advantage of placing the sign on the shoulder or forearm can be called the durability of the print, the ability to cover with clothing. The tattoo in this zone will be a symbol of power, and the hands themselves refer to the organs of knowledge transfer. The contours of the shoulder will emphasize the beauty of the limb, if the lizard is depicted in the form of a ring.

Around the leg.

The tattoo can also be girdled around the leg or placed as a symbol of infinity on the calf, and not only in the horizontal projection, but also vertically. The ring or figure on the ankle is interpreted as a sign of mystery and unexpressed motivations and is associated with the awakening of wisdom.

A ring or uroboros eight, placed at the thigh, is associated with attractiveness and fertility. This variant is characteristic of the female audience, then for the master opens up the possibility of detailed drawing of the plot. Men prefer options in monochrome black, and winding limb (arm or leg) uroboros symbolizes the unyielding nature of the bearer with a powerful grip.

Around the wrist

An illustration with a snake, girdling the wrist or ankle, will be an additional energy protection. For the girl is a fashion accessory, looking bright and mysterious. Men are less likely to tattoo the wrist, placing a ring with the legendary reptile on the outer side of the palm or including the image in the overall plot of the large-scale sleeve.

A ring with a snake protector on the wrist is beaten in two ways:

• A wrist bracelet looks exquisite, emphasizes the unconventional personality of the wearer;
• A perfect circle or figure eight above the wrist (back or inside) indicates knowledge of the mysteries of existence.

Sketches for the brush choose liberated and extraordinary personality, because the place is always in sight. In the case of the usual version of the tattoo inside the dragon circle add other symbols (tongue of flame, a flower, an inscription, a triangle with an eye), which enhance the coloring of the secret meaning of the main character. In addition, a loop with an ouroboros can cover a finger, but in this case the drawing of the iconic image will be quite difficult and painful, and to take out such a "ring" will be even more troublesome.

On the back

Ouroboros, regardless of gender, is associated with the concept of eternity. Due to the ambiguity of interpretation of the sacred character, the tattoo is very popular. Some fans of body art give the picture with the snake their own meaning, which will have to unravel to others.

The space of the back is ideal for placing large-scale tattooed paintings, this is the place for symbols of faith. Therefore, tattoos with ouroboros include in the plot of large drawings, but no less attractive the ancient character looks in a single version. Thanks to the skin's resistance to age transformation, the mysterious tattoo will retain its effectivity for a long time.

To begin with, it is important to determine the place of application of the single symbol. Girls more often beat a talisman in the middle of the top of the back, closer to the neck, or a small picture (round) on the shoulder blade. For guys, the area of the broadest scapular muscle is more suitable for a large motif.

Sacred images on the back choose self-sufficient people with a rich inner world. This is a peculiar mark of strong men who live by the laws of the Cosmos. For weak women, the sketch becomes a hidden source of energy, able to influence the wearer.

On the neck

The painting of the neck with tattooed signs is interpreted as a brave person's willingness to take great risks, which can change lives.

Tattoos on the neck can be placed on different sides, the preferences of girls and guys differ in some ways:

• the female audience stops at small elegant subjects for the side of the neck or the back, when the sacred picture can be covered with hair;
• The representatives of the stronger sex prefer larger sketches for the back of the neck, harmoniously connecting the drawing of the snake ring to the outline of the shoulders or back.

The mystical emblem on the throat is a rare phenomenon and a purely male choice. Extreme variant of the image is aggressive, it attracts attention, but is considered a kind of challenge to society, which may have a negative impact on the social status.

Chinese traditions and ouroboros

In the context of Chinese tradition, such a tattoo would mean good luck, success and prosperity. The fact is that the well-known Chinese dragons are a modified image of the uroboros, that is, a snake with a pig's head, changed over time by mass culture. He, as in other cultural traditions, bites his tail, curling up in a ring.

Alchemy and the role of the round serpent in modern esoteric currents

First and foremost, the image of Ouroboros attracted the attention of the Gnostics. The Gnostic Christians saw in this sign all the same basic principles of the universe in the form of its cyclicality. This serpent in their understanding embodied the unity of both good and evil beginning. Darkness and light. Creation and subsequent destruction. Nevertheless, since Gnosticism was on the list of heresies, up until the Renaissance all such fabrications were severely persecuted.

With the beginning of the Renaissance, the image of Ouroboros began to occupy scholarly minds more and more frequently. This was a time of particular interest in the achievements and culture of antiquity. So the scientists of that time could not pass by such an important essence symbolizing the universe. In alchemy, this sign represented the cyclic nature of matter in the processes of heating, evaporation, cooling and condensation. Often, this sign became a general symbol of alchemy as such.

Subsequently, the followers of many new syncretic religions and worldviews turned their eyes to Ouroboros. For example, this sign became one of the basic signs for the Theosophical Society of Helena Blavatsky. It was often discussed by members of the Roerich family. And it is one that in many cases symbolizes infinity in the Tarot.

Meaning in Western countries.

In Germanic-Scandinavian mythology, snakes in principle rarely denoted any positive aspect. The very motif of the serpent as the path of the hero is a very European and Scandinavian motif. In these mythologies, the ouroboros is a serpent that encircles the earth with its body and waits for the end of the world or Ragnarek to emerge from the waters and poison the sky. He is not unconditionally evil, just fulfilling his ancient function. This is where an interesting oxymoron comes in. The serpent, which signifies eternity, is also the one who will put an end to the world. This endows the uroboros with philosophical meaning as well, the tattoo with it can remind of the finitude of life, the inevitability of leaving for the other world.

How to activate a magical object

In order to use the power of the amulet to the fullest, it is necessary to activate it.

To do this, the amulet should be cleared of other people's energy, conduct a ritual:

1. Bury the amulet in simple salt and leave it for 1 day.
2. Take out of the salt and rinse with running water.
3. Bury this salt in a non-personal place.

Amulet does not need to constantly or periodically charge, it contains a powerful energy. For help and protection, ask the amulet aloud.

The symbol can only be worn by people who believe in the powers of nature. Those who believe in religion should not use it because it can be very harmful.

Tattoo option on the back

Religious associations.

In the Christian tradition, the attitude towards snakes is known to all. It is wisdom, but wisdom "with a minus sign", that is, tempting knowledge, cunning. However, the Christian Gnostic uroboros was actively used symbol, denoting the unity of good and evil, the absence of a clear line between them. The serpent absorbing itself and emerging from itself is itself good and evil. A person with the same worldview may well make himself such a tattoo.

Features of the tattoo

• Will distinguish the owner from the crowd
• Will declare his personal philosophy.

After a long time of oblivion, the image is again at the peak of popularity. Such a tattoo is a kind of amulet, able to turn away evil from a person, to help the owner understand what is destined to him by fate. Ouroboros is a powerful totem for someone who believes that after death there is rebirth.

The popularity of the Ouroboros symbol today

The twentieth century brought back interest in this symbol, many years later (there was also a secret theosophical society, but it was a very narrow group of people). Carl Gustav Jung, the greatest psychologist of the 20th century, developed the concept of archetypes, that is, signs and symbols common to all peoples of the world, living in the subconscious of people. He especially singled out Ouroboros because, despite the meanings associated with cultural differences, all peoples at all times have singled out Ouroboros as a symbol of eternity, the cycle of life, the combination of the incompatible.

The symbolism of the uroboros is closely associated with the eternity of life and the cycle of life, the combination of the incommensurable. Therefore, in spite of its unusual appearance and ambiguity, the tattoo is very popular. It reflects the most important philosophical questions that mankind has been asking since ancient times.

Where you can place the tattoo

There are no strict rules here. You can place the tattoo wherever you want. If you have chosen a simple ornament, which is characterized by a schematic, where there are no shadows and additional elements, it is not necessary to chase a large size of the sketch. You can place the image, for example, on the wrist.

If the visual perfection of the image is important for you, you can make it colored, complemented by smooth gradient shades, shadows, penumbra, a lot of elements that emphasize the unusual and original look. In this case it is necessary to place the sketch on a more spacious part of the body. Not bad options - shoulder, forearm, collarbone, shin.

Ooroboros is a great idea for a tattoo if you believe that everything in this world is cyclic. You can apply it to any place on the body, you just need to consider the size of the sketch you plan to make.