Brief Summary…

• Pre 1920 Sterling Silver coins and fork tines
• Optional Ruby, Emerald or Amethyst eyes set in 18ct gold
• Hand carved snake with tiny scale details
• Hand cut with traditional jewellers piercing saw.
• Hand Engraved with trad tools and techniques
• Ring Size guide
• Size : Approx 5mm wide band, head approx 8mm
• Symbolism : cycles of nature, self reflection, transformation, creation and destruction
• Completely unique and original
• Handcrafted & Recycled in Cambridge

A little more detail…

Ouroboros ring – Jörmungandr handcrafted and Recycled antique sterling silver fork tine Encircling the Earth

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent eating its own tail. It often represents the cycle of birth and death in Norse mythology, something that exists with such force that it cannot be extinguished. In ancient Norse mythology, one of Loki’s sons, Jörmungandr, was thrown into the ocean by Odin. He eventually grew to be so large that he encircled the earth. This idea of a serpent encircling the earth to keep the water contained is shared by many ancient cultures around the earth.

Kundalini energy is often described using Ouroboros symbolism. However, another interpretation is that Kundalini equates to the entwined serpents of the caduceus. The entwined serpents represent medicine in the west or human DNA, with its connotations with Hermes and Asclepius in Greek mythology. The chrysopoeia Ouroboros of Cleopatra the Alchemist is one of the oldest images of the ouroboros to be linked with the legendary opus of the alchemists, the philosopher’s stone.

The ouroboros is an ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail, representing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In ancient Egyptian texts from the 14th century BCE, the ouroboros represents the repetitive journey of the sun god Ra through the underworld, followed by his rebirth each morning.

The World Serpent: Norse mythology features the serpent Jörmungandr, which encircles the world and bites its own tail. In this folklore, Jörmungandr’s release of its tail signals the start of Ragnarök, the apocalyptic cycle of destruction and renewal.

Cosmic order: Other mythologies, such as that of the South American anaconda or the Hindu serpent Ananta Shesha, portray the ouroboros as a cosmic snake encircling the world or supporting the universe, representing the natural, unending order of creation and destruction.

Duality and unity:In many esoteric traditions, the ouroboros symbolizes the unity of opposing forces. The ouroboros represents the concept that opposite extremes, such as creation and destruction or masculinity and femininity, are connected and necessary for existence.

The alchemical union: Alchemists adopted the ouroboros to symbolize the unity of all things, both material and spiritual. A famous alchemical text, The Chrysopoeia of Cleopatra, depicts an ouroboros enclosing the words hen to pan, or “the all is one,” with its halves colored black and white like the Chinese yin and yang symbol.

Cosmic whole: The Gnostic tradition of antiquity saw the ouroboros as representing the “soul of the world” and the eternal union of the physical and spiritual realms.

Self-reflection and transformation:On a personal level, the image of the serpent devouring itself speaks to introspection and inner change. As snakes shed their skin, the ouroboros symbolizes a process of renewal and rebirth. The snake is constantly “recreating” itself into a new and improved form.

The ouroboros holds a poetic tension between life and death. The serpent consuming its own tail is a potent metaphor for endings being a necessary precursor to new beginnings. The serpent kills itself to bring itself to life, fertilizes itself, and gives birth to itself. The ouroboros teaches that one is bound to the cycle of life and death, but still has the power to shape their own path. This acceptance of the inevitable cycle allows for a more resilient and self-aware journey through existence.

This beautiful little ring is a true Hairy Growler original recycled ring. I make each piece out of completely 100% recycled metal, with zero waste. I create each ring by heating up an antique silver fork tine and forming it into a ring, which is manipulated into the Ouroboros. I make each one custom-made to order. I then hand cut, hand carve and engrave them, with traditional hand tools and techniques. You are welcome to choose ruby, emerald or amethyst eyes, which will be encased in solid 18ct gold settings.

if you need any help with sizing, check out our ring sizing page.

Size : Approx 5mm wide band, head approx 8mm