Solid Gold Jewelry vs. Gold Plated Jewellery
3 July, 2023
The ouroboros handcrafted ring is an excellent example of jewelry with high symbolism and a unique background story.
The Ouroboros Ring
As a jewelry maker, I care a lot about symbolism. Moreover, whenever I depict ancient myths in my handmade jewelry, I want it to be accurate and respectful of century-long traditions.
Although it was popularized mainly in Ancient Egypt, many cultures adopted and developed the theme. Nowadays, ouroboros rings see a resurgence, and people of all ages and genders wear them.
In the following lines, you will find 5 facts about the Ouroboros and info on the ouroboros depictions in art throughout the centuries. In addition, you'll read how to take care of your handmade jewelry and pair your snake ring with your outfit.
What does the Ouroboros ring symbolize?
The mythical ouroboros has a millennia-old history. The main motif depicts a snake eating its own tail. In other variations, an ouroboros can also be seen as a dragon eating its tail. Although there's some uncertainty regarding its origin, it's relatively safe to assume that Ouroboros was one of the earliest allegories in alchemy.
The weird image of a snake eating its own tail symbolizes the eternal cycle of life. Death and rebirth have been a constant motif in various religions, and some use Ouroboros as a fertility symbol too. Throughout the history of humanity, ouroboros rings seemed like a statement for the eternal renewal of life.
For the Alchemists, the ouroboros represented the "soul of the world", and it was a sign of eternal transformation.
Where does the name Ouroboros derive from?
The odd name ouroboros derives from Ancient Greek. Ouroboros (Greek: Ουροβόρος) is a compound word: ουρά stands for the tail, and βορός is for eating.
The myth of a snake eating its tail has been widely used in Ancient Greece. For the Alchemists, the ouroboros represented the "soul of the world," and it was a sign of eternal transformation.
Which cultures used the Ouroboros?
From the day of its birth (or shall we say rebirth?), the tale of ouroboros traveled to every corner of the world. For example, in Ancient Egypt, we have one of the earliest ouroboros representations at the tomb of Tutankhamun (14th century BC). In Ancient Greece, you can find various ouroboros motifs in multiple tales. Moreover, in Norse mythology, the Ouroboros takes the form of Jörmungandr, a giant sea serpent.
Several other civilizations, like India and China, host stories and depictions of the iconic snake. In general, the serpent eating its own tail is a widespread myth used in various tales even today.
Was the Ouroboros snake used in art?
As you can imagine, a snake or dragon eating its tail has been used countless times throughout the history of art. While alchemy and astrology used the ouroboros extensively, depictions of the mythical creature also appear in various religious texts.
Moreover, several other natural elements are often combined with the mythical serpent. For example, life's eternal cycle can be more easily understood when elements like the sun, the moon, and the stars are used next to the "tail devourer" snake to emphasize the perpetual circle of life.
Several artists explored the legendary snake tale, and among the most famous artworks featuring the ouroboros is the homonymous painting by Salvador Dalí.
What does an ouroboros snake ring symbolize?
Faithful to the initial meaning, an ouroboros snake ring symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Apart from being a highly symbolic piece of jewelry, the ouroboros serves as a reminder of our mortality as humans.
Therefore, people wearing an ouroboros ring declare the eternal cycle of life and, subsequently, their never-ending personal transformation.
How to wear your Ouroboros snake ring
Here are my two tips as a jewelry maker for wearing your ouroboros ring.
- Wear it on its own. As a dainty piece of jewelry, the ouroboros can easily be the only ring in your hand. Wearing a standalone snake ring will help you achieve a minimal yet elegant look. Moreover, it'll be a discreet addition to your outfit, without sacrificing quality or details.
- Wear it as a stackable ring. Dainty jewelry, like snake rings, can be worn as stackable rings. Rings worn on top of each other will let you achieve a more voluminous style while, at the same time, customizing your look to match your outfit. In addition, stackable rings containing ouroboros will add a very personal touch to your style.
How to pair an Ouroboros ring with your outfit
An ouroboros ring is a classic addition to everyone's outfit. The biggest advantage of a handmade ouroboros ring is that it fits with most clothes in your wardrobe. Moreover, a ring featuring a snake eating its tail is a strong statement for people paying attention to detail.
As a jewelry designer of ouroboros rings, the best advice I can give you is to keep an eye on the overall look you want to achieve. You can easily pair your snake ring with a classic black dress or shiny, casual colors (ex., orange). Even with jeans and a t-shirt, an ouroboros ring will add a touch of timeless style to your outfit.
Remember: an ouroboros snake ring is something more than a piece of beautiful jewelry. It is a statement of your life approach and how you see things.
How to take care of your Ouroboros ring
Although the ouroboros represents rebirth, it's going to be hard for your ring to be reborn if severely damaged :) Since I've handcrafted several 14K solid gold rings and sterling silver ones, I'd like to advise you as a jeweler on how to take care of your handmade rings.
So, here's what you need to do to take care of your Ouroboros rings:
- Remember to remove your jewelry before cleaning, swimming, taking a shower, or sleeping in order to avoid accidental damage.
- Please avoid direct contact with perfumes, hairspray, or household detergents, as the chemicals included in these products can cause jewelry discoloration or tarnishing.
- Make sure to store your pieces separately and in their own pouches/boxes to prevent them from being scratched.
- In case you need to clean your jewelry, please use the appropriate polishing cloth for each metal (silver or gold).
- Remember that proper care ensures you will enjoy your jewelry for years to come. Please treat your handmade snake rings with love and care!
Extra tips for taking care of your 14K solid gold rings
Every handmade 14K solid gold ouroboros ring should be maintained in order to remain in mint condition.
The good thing is that solid 14K gold rings don't tarnish easily and are considered quite durable. However, even if you take good care of them (ex., no contact with chemicals), there's always a chance to notice some blurring. If this happens, you can use a soft toothbrush and mild soap to remove blurring by rubbing your gold ring gently.
Alternatively, you can use a cleaning cloth specifically designed for gold.
Extra tips for taking care of your Sterling Silver Ouroboros ring
Contrary to gold, silver rings are more prone to tarnishing. This happens for various reasons and is assumed to be a natural process. Silver tarnishes through time because of the atmosphere's humidity, the air's sulfur compounds, and people's sweat.
On the other hand, tarnishing can create beautiful effects on the jewelry. As a jeweler, I use various tarnishing techniques to enhance details and create a vintage-looking effect on the rings I create. That said, if one of the ouroboros sterling silver rings is too tarnished for your liking, you can wipe it gently with a cleaning cloth or use a toothbrush and mild soap, as I described above.
However, as a rule of thumb, you should avoid cleaning silver jewelry too much. That's because you'll end up completely polishing the ring, resulting in a total loss of its vintage style!
Ouroboros ring: conclusion
Ouroboros rings are among the most timeless pieces of handcrafted jewelry. As you read earlier, the Ouroboros is a cornerstone element in most civilizations that left a mark on the history of humanity.
Although the concept of a snake eating its tail might sound scary, the ouroboros meaning is very optimistic. The fact that it represents the eternal cycle of life and, subsequently, rebirth, is enough to become a strong statement. Of course, choosing a 14K Gold or a sterling silver ouroboros ring is up to you. However, wearing such a ring is a declaration of your personality.
You can view my Ouroboros rings here. Or, you can see the entire collection of my sterling silver rings here and the 14Κ solid gold rings here.
Most of the products in the shop can be tailor-made for your own size within a few business days after placing your order. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions about ring sizes or pairing tips :)
