Ouroboros
Alexander Bowne
The Wheel of Time series
In the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and then Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s death), the Aes Sedai use the ouroboros as a ring, worn largely to symbolize their status as a member of that group. Lower-ranking members have to wear it on a certain finger, but full Aes Sedai can wear it on any finger they choose.
The ouroboros is used because of one of the central themes (and indeed the titular one) of the series: the idea that time is cyclical and is a cosmic loom in the shape of a wheel that keeps turning and weaving out the universal. The ouroboros is a perfect representation of that idea, and in fact is said to predate the usage of the wheel as a symbol.
The Aes Sedai in particular likely use the ouroboros as one of their symbols for several reasons. First, while this point is somewhat understated in the books themselves, the Aes Sedai are perhaps the single greatest history-keepers in their world, and the understanding that the past feeds the future is a major link to the ouroboros. Second, and more blatantly, they have more knowledge and understanding of the “Wheel of Time” or the “Great serpent of time” than society at large, and may use the ouroboros as their ring to acknowledge and remind themselves of that fact. Finally, in a similar manner, the Aes Sedai likely use the ouroboros because much of their existence is based around preparing for “The Last Battle,” which will determine whether the Wheel will keep turning or be broken. Their existence as a group is based around ensuring that the snake continues eating itself, to put it bluntly, so the ouroboros is a perfect symbol for them.
In the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and then Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s death), the Aes Sedai use the ouroboros as a ring, worn largely to symbolize their status as a member of that group. Lower-ranking members have to wear it on a certain finger, but full Aes Sedai can wear it on any finger they choose.
The ouroboros is used because of one of the central themes (and indeed the titular one) of the series: the idea that time is cyclical and is a cosmic loom in the shape of a wheel that keeps turning and weaving out the universal. The ouroboros is a perfect representation of that idea, and in fact is said to predate the usage of the wheel as a symbol.
The Aes Sedai in particular likely use the ouroboros as one of their symbols for several reasons. First, while this point is somewhat understated in the books themselves, the Aes Sedai are perhaps the single greatest history-keepers in their world, and the understanding that the past feeds the future is a major link to the ouroboros. Second, and more blatantly, they have more knowledge and understanding of the “Wheel of Time” or the “Great serpent of time” than society at large, and may use the ouroboros as their ring to acknowledge and remind themselves of that fact. Finally, in a similar manner, the Aes Sedai likely use the ouroboros because much of their existence is based around preparing for “The Last Battle,” which will determine whether the Wheel will keep turning or be broken. Their existence as a group is based around ensuring that the snake continues eating itself, to put it bluntly, so the ouroboros is a perfect symbol for them.
Angel Pevensie
The Worm Ouroboros
The Worm Ouroboros is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rücker Eddison, first published in 1922. The book describes the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas. The work is slightly related to Eddison's later Zimiamvian Trilogy, and collectively they are sometimes referred to as the Zimiamvian series. The book was illustrated by Keith Henderson (1883–1982).
A framing story in the first two chapters describes the world of the novel as Mercury, though it is clearly a fantasy version of Earth, a "secondary world"; no effort was made to conform to the scientific knowledge of Mercury as it existed at the time of writing (the world even has a moon, which Mercury does not). At a number of points the characters refer to their land as Middle earth, used here in its original sense of "the known world", and the gods worshipped have the names of deities from Greek mythology.
The title refers to Ouroboros, or Jörmungandr in Norse mythology, the snake or dragon that swallows its own tail and therefore has no terminus. In Old English, the word "worm" could mean a serpent or dragon.
Like the Ouroboros, the story ends at the same place as it begins, when the heroes realize that their lives have little meaning without the great conflict and wish that it could continue, and their wish is granted.
The theme of repetition pervades the work. Near the beginning and again near the end, a king of Witchland dies, Carcë is attacked, and Gorice XII carries out a conjuring in the fortress's Iron Tower. There are two quests to find and recover Goldry Bluszco. Three armies, under the influence of an enchantment, chase each other in an endless campaign until the heroes shatter the cycle on their quest.
The Worm Ouroboros is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rücker Eddison, first published in 1922. The book describes the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas. The work is slightly related to Eddison's later Zimiamvian Trilogy, and collectively they are sometimes referred to as the Zimiamvian series. The book was illustrated by Keith Henderson (1883–1982).
A framing story in the first two chapters describes the world of the novel as Mercury, though it is clearly a fantasy version of Earth, a "secondary world"; no effort was made to conform to the scientific knowledge of Mercury as it existed at the time of writing (the world even has a moon, which Mercury does not). At a number of points the characters refer to their land as Middle earth, used here in its original sense of "the known world", and the gods worshipped have the names of deities from Greek mythology.
The title refers to Ouroboros, or Jörmungandr in Norse mythology, the snake or dragon that swallows its own tail and therefore has no terminus. In Old English, the word "worm" could mean a serpent or dragon.
Like the Ouroboros, the story ends at the same place as it begins, when the heroes realize that their lives have little meaning without the great conflict and wish that it could continue, and their wish is granted.
The theme of repetition pervades the work. Near the beginning and again near the end, a king of Witchland dies, Carcë is attacked, and Gorice XII carries out a conjuring in the fortress's Iron Tower. There are two quests to find and recover Goldry Bluszco. Three armies, under the influence of an enchantment, chase each other in an endless campaign until the heroes shatter the cycle on their quest.
Benjamin Fraser
Evermore
The book I recently found this expression in is “Evermore” by Alyson Noël. It shows up in the form of a tattoo and is described as one snake biting its own tail. Haven, the girl who gets the tattoo is very involved in the goth scene but she would probably never have dreamed about actually meeting an immortal. Drina has been living for several hundred years and she does not even like Haven but wants to use her to get to Ever (a girl whose soul keeps coming back to earth in different bodies and always ends up falling in love with Damen who is also an immortal). When Drina suggests Haven should get the tattoo, she immediately agrees. Her friends realize quickly that there is something strange about it. It looks like it is infected. Only Ever who has psychic abilities can also see the snake in the tattoo move and tries to warn Haven about the dangers of this particular tattoo. When Haven doesn’t come to school for several days, they start to worry about her. After some twists in the story, Ever ends up in Damen’s house where she finds him in a compromising position. It looks as though he was attacking Haven. It later turns out that he was only sucking the venom out of her tattoo that would otherwise have killed her. The whole book deals with the subject of life and death a lot. Ever is the only survivor of a car accident that killed her whole family. Her little sister is stuck between worlds and comes to visit her quite often. Since the accident, Ever is psychic, she can see people’s auras and has premonitions. Then there are the immortals (Damen points out that he is NOT a vampire, though what exactly he is I still can’t tell...) and Ever’s soul that keeps travelling through different life circles. As there is so much coming back from death (be it as immortal, ghost or reborn soul) I think the symbol of the ouroboros fits quite well to show how the circle never ends. When Haven gets the tattoo with the symbol she is just fascinated and doesn’t really know about the background. If she had, she might have been a little more careful.
The book I recently found this expression in is “Evermore” by Alyson Noël. It shows up in the form of a tattoo and is described as one snake biting its own tail. Haven, the girl who gets the tattoo is very involved in the goth scene but she would probably never have dreamed about actually meeting an immortal. Drina has been living for several hundred years and she does not even like Haven but wants to use her to get to Ever (a girl whose soul keeps coming back to earth in different bodies and always ends up falling in love with Damen who is also an immortal). When Drina suggests Haven should get the tattoo, she immediately agrees. Her friends realize quickly that there is something strange about it. It looks like it is infected. Only Ever who has psychic abilities can also see the snake in the tattoo move and tries to warn Haven about the dangers of this particular tattoo. When Haven doesn’t come to school for several days, they start to worry about her. After some twists in the story, Ever ends up in Damen’s house where she finds him in a compromising position. It looks as though he was attacking Haven. It later turns out that he was only sucking the venom out of her tattoo that would otherwise have killed her. The whole book deals with the subject of life and death a lot. Ever is the only survivor of a car accident that killed her whole family. Her little sister is stuck between worlds and comes to visit her quite often. Since the accident, Ever is psychic, she can see people’s auras and has premonitions. Then there are the immortals (Damen points out that he is NOT a vampire, though what exactly he is I still can’t tell...) and Ever’s soul that keeps travelling through different life circles. As there is so much coming back from death (be it as immortal, ghost or reborn soul) I think the symbol of the ouroboros fits quite well to show how the circle never ends. When Haven gets the tattoo with the symbol she is just fascinated and doesn’t really know about the background. If she had, she might have been a little more careful.
Diandra Mordecai
The Neverending Story
I’m sure there are many instances of the use of the Ouroboros in pop culture, but the first example that came to mind was The Neverending Story. In the novel, the symbol of the Ouroboros lies on the cover of the book in the story, as well as upon AURYN, a talisman of sorts that appears within the world of Fantastica.
I think that the Ouroboros can been seen, in The Neverending Story, to represent many different things—the duality of light and dark, or magic and the Nothing, or reality and Fantastica. With more conviction, I think, it could be perceived as a symbol of the eternal nature of the novel—the reader reads the novel, bringing it to life, and at the same time allowing the Nothing to spread, altering the novel, and then leaving the novel for someone else to read. The story is constantly being consumed, reborn, and consumed again, just as the world of Fantastica is.
My favourite way of perceiving the Ouroboros, though, is in terms of power. Some speculation abounds connecting themes in the novel to perceptions of World War II, and so I think there’s reason to believe that the Ouroboros may represent the consuming and dual-nature of power, and the complications of intent versus product. When Bastion first receives AURYN, he uses the power for renewal and rebirth—for “good.” However, many of the wishes he makes have both a good side, and a destructive side. Furthermore, as the novel continues AURYN’s power begins to consume him, and he starts using the power more selfishly. In the end, he is renewed as a “good” person, when he freely relinquishes AURYN, and the power it contains.
I’m sure there are many instances of the use of the Ouroboros in pop culture, but the first example that came to mind was The Neverending Story. In the novel, the symbol of the Ouroboros lies on the cover of the book in the story, as well as upon AURYN, a talisman of sorts that appears within the world of Fantastica.
I think that the Ouroboros can been seen, in The Neverending Story, to represent many different things—the duality of light and dark, or magic and the Nothing, or reality and Fantastica. With more conviction, I think, it could be perceived as a symbol of the eternal nature of the novel—the reader reads the novel, bringing it to life, and at the same time allowing the Nothing to spread, altering the novel, and then leaving the novel for someone else to read. The story is constantly being consumed, reborn, and consumed again, just as the world of Fantastica is.
My favourite way of perceiving the Ouroboros, though, is in terms of power. Some speculation abounds connecting themes in the novel to perceptions of World War II, and so I think there’s reason to believe that the Ouroboros may represent the consuming and dual-nature of power, and the complications of intent versus product. When Bastion first receives AURYN, he uses the power for renewal and rebirth—for “good.” However, many of the wishes he makes have both a good side, and a destructive side. Furthermore, as the novel continues AURYN’s power begins to consume him, and he starts using the power more selfishly. In the end, he is renewed as a “good” person, when he freely relinquishes AURYN, and the power it contains.
Edmund Smethwyck
Heroes of Might and Magic 2, Final Fantasy V
The game from which I am taking Ouroboros is Heroes of Might and Magic 2 (because it is an epically awesome game if you haven't played it [2 and 3 are the best of the series in my opinion][here's a link to the Ouroboros: http://hommworld.net/Homm2/Artifacts/snake_ring.jpg])
This ring shows a snake biting its tail, much like a typical Ouroboros. The effect of this ring in the game is that it halves the cost of all bless spells. For those who have played the game, this definitely represents the 'infinite' concept that is common with Ouroboros. The typical Bless spell costs 2 mana, so with this ring, it only costs 1 mana, low enough that you could cast it every turn without every running out of mana (assuming 1 use per day). To me, this is a way of saying that the Ouroboros will bring you infinite blessings, which fits with the idea of alchemy as well.
I'm going to use another example as well, from Final Fantasy V called the Purobolos <_< because hat name is nothing like Ouroboros. Silly game. basically, they're Bombs from Final Fantasy VIII, but purple. However, you get to fight 5 of them at the same time. They also have an affinity for exploding and doing large amounts of damage. Then they heal themselves with high level spells (for that point in the game). In this way, I think they also represent Ouroboros in that they bite their 'tails' and blow themselves up trying to kill you, then they heal themselves, laugh at you, and then do it over and over again! They're very rude. But when you kill them, it's indeed very satisfying.
The game from which I am taking Ouroboros is Heroes of Might and Magic 2 (because it is an epically awesome game if you haven't played it [2 and 3 are the best of the series in my opinion][here's a link to the Ouroboros: http://hommworld.net/Homm2/Artifacts/snake_ring.jpg])
This ring shows a snake biting its tail, much like a typical Ouroboros. The effect of this ring in the game is that it halves the cost of all bless spells. For those who have played the game, this definitely represents the 'infinite' concept that is common with Ouroboros. The typical Bless spell costs 2 mana, so with this ring, it only costs 1 mana, low enough that you could cast it every turn without every running out of mana (assuming 1 use per day). To me, this is a way of saying that the Ouroboros will bring you infinite blessings, which fits with the idea of alchemy as well.
I'm going to use another example as well, from Final Fantasy V called the Purobolos <_< because hat name is nothing like Ouroboros. Silly game. basically, they're Bombs from Final Fantasy VIII, but purple. However, you get to fight 5 of them at the same time. They also have an affinity for exploding and doing large amounts of damage. Then they heal themselves with high level spells (for that point in the game). In this way, I think they also represent Ouroboros in that they bite their 'tails' and blow themselves up trying to kill you, then they heal themselves, laugh at you, and then do it over and over again! They're very rude. But when you kill them, it's indeed very satisfying.
Ivelisse Ada
Tomb Raider II
In the video game Tomb Raider II, Lara Croft goes on search of the legendary Dagger of Xian (huzzah, this also ties in to lesson 2! I finally know why it's called the Dagger of Xian!). It looks like this:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/Daggerofxian_zps33fbcb96.jpg
And here's it's resting place, which is far more reminiscent of the ouroboros:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/TR2FMVA03_zps54adc8cb.jpg
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/Daggerofxianpedestal_zps29e78eb9.jpg
This dagger is full of an ancient power, long hidden away after it was wrongfully abused by a power-hungry emperor. Legend has it that if the person who possesses the dagger plunges it into their own heart, they will transform into a powerful and (nearly) invincible dragon. The only exception to this invincibility is removing the dagger from the dragon's heart - that is, if you can ever manage to get that close. The symbol of the ancient order of monks who guard said dagger is this:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/2s7gewp_zps405b02f7.jpg
Now on to how it relates to/depicts the ouroborus. First of all, the pedastal itself sort of shows two dragons (if the dagger is within it) consuming each other, much like the ouroboros does. Second of all, the symbol of Xian depicts what looks almost like a yin-yang symbol (whose circle could also be an ouroboros, possibly, but I don't think that's likely) with a dragon or serpent cleaving it through the middle. However, more so than a physical depiction, I believe the ouroboros is more represented in the power of "Xian" and the dagger itself than the symbols given. Ouroboros symbolizes a cyclic nature or an infinity. While trying to figure out other examples of an ouroborus that I could write on, I also found an alternate description that mentioned how the ouroborus depicted an infinity that could wreak havoc if disturbed - i.e. if that dragon stops eating it's own tail and replenishing itself, it's going to eat something else. Probably whoever bothered it.
In terms of the Dagger of Xian, much the same could be said. If someone removes the Dagger from it's pedastal, i.e. disturbs the serpent, you can bet that a whole slew of negative things is likely to happen, seeing as the person who removed it probably wants to become a dragon overlord (Alduin and his buddies, anyone >_>?) The symbol of Xian could also represent this - the dragon/serpent pushing through the yin/yang symbol shows that a dragon out of the cycle will disturb peace. Finally, the Dagger's effects are an ouroboros of sorts - the user is invincible, and invincibility is a cycle. If that cycle is disturbed (i.e. the dagger is removed), not only is havoc brought upon the dragon (who dies/melts when it's removed, by the way), but more havoc may be caused if a fight ensues over what to do with the dagger afterwards. This sort of thing is doomed to repeat itself through history, which is the final cycle the captures the spirit of the ouroboros.
In the video game Tomb Raider II, Lara Croft goes on search of the legendary Dagger of Xian (huzzah, this also ties in to lesson 2! I finally know why it's called the Dagger of Xian!). It looks like this:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/Daggerofxian_zps33fbcb96.jpg
And here's it's resting place, which is far more reminiscent of the ouroboros:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/TR2FMVA03_zps54adc8cb.jpg
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/Daggerofxianpedestal_zps29e78eb9.jpg
This dagger is full of an ancient power, long hidden away after it was wrongfully abused by a power-hungry emperor. Legend has it that if the person who possesses the dagger plunges it into their own heart, they will transform into a powerful and (nearly) invincible dragon. The only exception to this invincibility is removing the dagger from the dragon's heart - that is, if you can ever manage to get that close. The symbol of the ancient order of monks who guard said dagger is this:
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc503/IvAda/2s7gewp_zps405b02f7.jpg
Now on to how it relates to/depicts the ouroborus. First of all, the pedastal itself sort of shows two dragons (if the dagger is within it) consuming each other, much like the ouroboros does. Second of all, the symbol of Xian depicts what looks almost like a yin-yang symbol (whose circle could also be an ouroboros, possibly, but I don't think that's likely) with a dragon or serpent cleaving it through the middle. However, more so than a physical depiction, I believe the ouroboros is more represented in the power of "Xian" and the dagger itself than the symbols given. Ouroboros symbolizes a cyclic nature or an infinity. While trying to figure out other examples of an ouroborus that I could write on, I also found an alternate description that mentioned how the ouroborus depicted an infinity that could wreak havoc if disturbed - i.e. if that dragon stops eating it's own tail and replenishing itself, it's going to eat something else. Probably whoever bothered it.
In terms of the Dagger of Xian, much the same could be said. If someone removes the Dagger from it's pedastal, i.e. disturbs the serpent, you can bet that a whole slew of negative things is likely to happen, seeing as the person who removed it probably wants to become a dragon overlord (Alduin and his buddies, anyone >_>?) The symbol of Xian could also represent this - the dragon/serpent pushing through the yin/yang symbol shows that a dragon out of the cycle will disturb peace. Finally, the Dagger's effects are an ouroboros of sorts - the user is invincible, and invincibility is a cycle. If that cycle is disturbed (i.e. the dagger is removed), not only is havoc brought upon the dragon (who dies/melts when it's removed, by the way), but more havoc may be caused if a fight ensues over what to do with the dagger afterwards. This sort of thing is doomed to repeat itself through history, which is the final cycle the captures the spirit of the ouroboros.
Prof. Jenna Hathaway
The Immortals
I’m not advocating you read this book or anything—I’d like to state that first and foremost because I regret all the hours I put into this series, LOL. It’s like a worse copy of Twilight basically, but it fits the assignment. The Immortals series by Alyson Noel has the Ouroboros symbol as a way to identify those who are immortal. Basically ages ago some kind of elixir of immortality was found—it was first meant to be a cure to a deadly plague but then apparently people ended up being able to live forever after drinking it. Some of the immortals went rogue and became “evil”—selfish and all that.
These rogues gave themselves each an ouroboros tattoo for their symbol and to identify themselves as immortals, because the snake eating its own tail is like a symbol of infinity which is like immortality (there is no end in sight). This tattoo can be hidden by magical means as well. And basically the immortals never need to eat or anything, just keep drinking the elixir because it’s the only life source they need. They can still get sick and stuff, though, especially if they don’t get their batch of elixirs regularly. So that’s basically it, I think I might have forgotten a few of the details because it was so unforgettable, but there you have it.
I’m not advocating you read this book or anything—I’d like to state that first and foremost because I regret all the hours I put into this series, LOL. It’s like a worse copy of Twilight basically, but it fits the assignment. The Immortals series by Alyson Noel has the Ouroboros symbol as a way to identify those who are immortal. Basically ages ago some kind of elixir of immortality was found—it was first meant to be a cure to a deadly plague but then apparently people ended up being able to live forever after drinking it. Some of the immortals went rogue and became “evil”—selfish and all that.
These rogues gave themselves each an ouroboros tattoo for their symbol and to identify themselves as immortals, because the snake eating its own tail is like a symbol of infinity which is like immortality (there is no end in sight). This tattoo can be hidden by magical means as well. And basically the immortals never need to eat or anything, just keep drinking the elixir because it’s the only life source they need. They can still get sick and stuff, though, especially if they don’t get their batch of elixirs regularly. So that’s basically it, I think I might have forgotten a few of the details because it was so unforgettable, but there you have it.
Lenore Spiaggi
Vampire: the Masquerade
The ouroboros is used to great suggestive effect in the pen-and-paper roleplaying game Vampire: the Masquerade, as the sigil of Clan Tzimisce (stylised like this: http://theonyxpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Clan-Tzimisce.png).
A dragon of any kind would be a suitable emblem, as the clan has long had draconic ties, even before claiming Vlad Tepes Drakul as one of their own. The ouroboros, though, is particularly apt because it suits both paths the clan has taken. Old Clan Tzimisce, of whom very few remain, but are immensely old and powerful, are masters of blood alchemy, although the finer nuances of their work have been lost to the present nights. The majority of the clan have exchanged alchemy for the discipline of Vicissitude, a sinister form of body crafting. The Tzimisce are transhumanists who fully embrace the monstrous side of their vampiric nature and enjoy experimenting with twisting their bodies (or that of others) to reflect that. Pain is irrelevant before the chance to effect permanent changes that can turn simple flesh into weapons of nightmare. Older generations are notorious for breeding entire strains of half-breed servitors (called revenants) possessing human appearance, some vampiric blood powers, and total loyalty - one up from classic homunculi, if one thinks about it. Their practices may not aim to take one 'above', as classical alchemy strives, but they certainly can go far 'beyond'.
The ouroboros is used to great suggestive effect in the pen-and-paper roleplaying game Vampire: the Masquerade, as the sigil of Clan Tzimisce (stylised like this: http://theonyxpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Clan-Tzimisce.png).
A dragon of any kind would be a suitable emblem, as the clan has long had draconic ties, even before claiming Vlad Tepes Drakul as one of their own. The ouroboros, though, is particularly apt because it suits both paths the clan has taken. Old Clan Tzimisce, of whom very few remain, but are immensely old and powerful, are masters of blood alchemy, although the finer nuances of their work have been lost to the present nights. The majority of the clan have exchanged alchemy for the discipline of Vicissitude, a sinister form of body crafting. The Tzimisce are transhumanists who fully embrace the monstrous side of their vampiric nature and enjoy experimenting with twisting their bodies (or that of others) to reflect that. Pain is irrelevant before the chance to effect permanent changes that can turn simple flesh into weapons of nightmare. Older generations are notorious for breeding entire strains of half-breed servitors (called revenants) possessing human appearance, some vampiric blood powers, and total loyalty - one up from classic homunculi, if one thinks about it. Their practices may not aim to take one 'above', as classical alchemy strives, but they certainly can go far 'beyond'.
Marguerite Davenport
The Never Ending Story
The ouroboros I chose is one from a book and film, from my childhood. The Never Ending story by Michael Ende, the ouroboros in this work is two intertwined and not snakes biting each others tales called AURYN. The ouroboros or AURYN is a powerful item that is linked to the child-like empress. She lends her power to AURYN.
As I said above AURYN has two forms one from the book and one from the film although both have two mythological serpents, that are symmetrical, and bite at the other's tail. And always AURYN is called AURYN never the Auryn like a thing, but always as a proper name. Some might be confused AURYN does not simply grant wishes. It is however a physical being of the child-like empress powers. So AURYN only works when she wills it and AURYN can not be used against her without her permission.
In the book AURYN is in the form an oval and the snakes are not intertwined. One serpent is white and one is black. Though each one has a different eye color, this corresponds to the color of the book's print, red and green. The text that is the “Reality” of this world is printed in red, this is Bastian's story and green text for the events within the storybook he is reading the “Fantasy”. Is shows AURYN alchemical duel nature. In the film AURYN is represented differently. AURYN has two snakes that are intertwined into a type of infinity knot pattern. Instead of black and white AURYN appears as Gold and Silver.
In both circumstances the two snakes represent the dual nature of the two worlds within the story Fantastica and Reality. But is also the alchemical duel nature or the twin nature of their mutual creation and destruction. This is important to the story because the Nothing is attempting to destroy Fantastica and in turn will destroy our world. AURYN clearly show this in a physical form as an ouroboros especially since it shows sense of something constantly re-creating itself.
WORKS CITED:
The film : Neverending Story
The Book: The Neverending Story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Movies/NeverEnding-Story-The-3248.html
http://www.etsy.com/listing/125141154/auryn-neverending-story-pendant
http://dedalvs.com/books/2008/12/26/the-neverending-story/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neverending_Story
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Neverending_Story
http://bladekindeyewear.tumblr.com/post/40053585742/the-cherubs-jujus
The ouroboros I chose is one from a book and film, from my childhood. The Never Ending story by Michael Ende, the ouroboros in this work is two intertwined and not snakes biting each others tales called AURYN. The ouroboros or AURYN is a powerful item that is linked to the child-like empress. She lends her power to AURYN.
As I said above AURYN has two forms one from the book and one from the film although both have two mythological serpents, that are symmetrical, and bite at the other's tail. And always AURYN is called AURYN never the Auryn like a thing, but always as a proper name. Some might be confused AURYN does not simply grant wishes. It is however a physical being of the child-like empress powers. So AURYN only works when she wills it and AURYN can not be used against her without her permission.
In the book AURYN is in the form an oval and the snakes are not intertwined. One serpent is white and one is black. Though each one has a different eye color, this corresponds to the color of the book's print, red and green. The text that is the “Reality” of this world is printed in red, this is Bastian's story and green text for the events within the storybook he is reading the “Fantasy”. Is shows AURYN alchemical duel nature. In the film AURYN is represented differently. AURYN has two snakes that are intertwined into a type of infinity knot pattern. Instead of black and white AURYN appears as Gold and Silver.
In both circumstances the two snakes represent the dual nature of the two worlds within the story Fantastica and Reality. But is also the alchemical duel nature or the twin nature of their mutual creation and destruction. This is important to the story because the Nothing is attempting to destroy Fantastica and in turn will destroy our world. AURYN clearly show this in a physical form as an ouroboros especially since it shows sense of something constantly re-creating itself.
WORKS CITED:
The film : Neverending Story
The Book: The Neverending Story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Movies/NeverEnding-Story-The-3248.html
http://www.etsy.com/listing/125141154/auryn-neverending-story-pendant
http://dedalvs.com/books/2008/12/26/the-neverending-story/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neverending_Story
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Neverending_Story
http://bladekindeyewear.tumblr.com/post/40053585742/the-cherubs-jujus
Prof. Scarlet Leslie
The Wheel of Time series
The ouroboros is seen in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The Aes Sedai is an elite group of people (mostly women) who can use One Power. Girls, typically between 16 and 18 years of age, may start training to become a Aes Sedai. Once a novice is raised to Accepted, she wears a ring in the shape of the Great Serpent on the third finger of her left hand. The Great Serpent is eating its own tail to form the ring, making it an ouroboros.
Ouroboros parallels both the physical circle of the wheel and the cyclic nature of time. A snake or great serpent is the best choice to represent the supernatural force of One Power. Using One Power requires weaving together one or more of the five elements - earth, water, air, fire, and spirit. Not only is this similar to alchemy by combining and transmuting chemicals, but it also comes from one source and is continually reused.
I haven't read enough of the series to write or analyze more (I know, so bad...) I feel like I've seen ouroboros on so many book covers, but I cannot remember which ones. I don't know if maybe it was in all my chemistry books or some mythology books. I've also seen it in several animes that either my brother or my boyfriend were watching, but I never remember what they are called either. I have selective memory *g*
The ouroboros is seen in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. The Aes Sedai is an elite group of people (mostly women) who can use One Power. Girls, typically between 16 and 18 years of age, may start training to become a Aes Sedai. Once a novice is raised to Accepted, she wears a ring in the shape of the Great Serpent on the third finger of her left hand. The Great Serpent is eating its own tail to form the ring, making it an ouroboros.
Ouroboros parallels both the physical circle of the wheel and the cyclic nature of time. A snake or great serpent is the best choice to represent the supernatural force of One Power. Using One Power requires weaving together one or more of the five elements - earth, water, air, fire, and spirit. Not only is this similar to alchemy by combining and transmuting chemicals, but it also comes from one source and is continually reused.
I haven't read enough of the series to write or analyze more (I know, so bad...) I feel like I've seen ouroboros on so many book covers, but I cannot remember which ones. I don't know if maybe it was in all my chemistry books or some mythology books. I've also seen it in several animes that either my brother or my boyfriend were watching, but I never remember what they are called either. I have selective memory *g*
