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Inked Mag Staff

June 17th, 2021

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75 Outstanding Ouroboros Tattoos

Do you know the story of the ouroboros?

Symbols are incredibly prevalent in tattooing. We’re all familiar with tattoo iconography such as sparrows, crosses and anchors and the common meaning associated with these images. But what about the ouroboros? Unlike other popular tattoo symbols whose meaning has been derived through tattoo traditions, this symbol goes back centuries. The symbol, which depicts a snake or a dragon eating it’s tail in a circle, dates back to Ancient Egypt. The word, ouroboros can be traced back to Ancient Greek, with oura meaning tail and boros meaning eating. The symbol has been shown frequently throughout various cultures over time, however, it’s most often associated with alchemy and Gnosticism.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the ouroboros was commonly carved into tombstones, as well as later during the Gothic revival of the 19th century. This is because the ouroboros commonly represents birth, death and rebirth. It’s also been known to represent eternity and an endless return. This symbol has been depicted frequently throughout popular culture. We see it in the popular anime, “Full Metal Alchemist,” as well as in 2018’s “The Nun.”

In honor of the rich history of the ouroboros, take a peek at 75 outstanding tattoos depicting this symbol in the gallery below. Then let us know your favorite tattoo from this list in the comments section on social media.

 

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A post shared by Beeker Rebekah (@beekertattoo)

 

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A post shared by California Tattoo Studio (@californiatattoostudio)

 

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A post shared by Christopher Hedlund (@winterhalo)

 

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A post shared by Monolith Tattoo Studio (@monolith_tattoo_studio)

 

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A post shared by ⫸ BRUNᎾ RU∆ ⫷ (@brunorua.ink)

 

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A post shared by Red Baron Ink (@rbitattoo)

 

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A post shared by Raquel Llopis (@raquellopiss)

 

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A post shared by Death Row Ink • Tattoo Studio (@deathrow.ink)

 

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A post shared by ⫸ BRUNᎾ RU∆ ⫷ (@brunorua.ink)

 

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A post shared by Katy Wiedemann (@katy.wiedemann)

 

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A post shared by Tatuadora • Amanda Vale (@amandavale.tattoo)

 

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A post shared by . 블랙워크 & 오너먼트 (@tangerine.ink)

 

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A post shared by Sabrina Alcântara Tattoo (@alcantattoo)

 

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A post shared by Phil Tworavens (@lustandconsume)

 

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A post shared by Gabe (@squigglysqualor)

 

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A post shared by Ian Anderson (@ink_and_bone)

 

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A post shared by Bunny aka HK 김해달 (@bunnyakahk)

 

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A post shared by Tattoo Barcelona | Erre Tattoo (@erretattooart)

 

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A post shared by Oscar Canteros Jr. (@oc_tatt)

 

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A post shared by Chiara Lorenzini (@denadart)

 

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A post shared by Marcela Badolatto (@marcelabadolatto)

 

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A post shared by TATTOO ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR (@vittatts)

 

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A post shared by Simon Ban (@squids.ink)

 

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A post shared by 하루시선 타투 (@harusisun)

 

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A post shared by T H O M A S D O N B R A G A (@_donbraga)

 

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A post shared by Soy Boy (@soyboy.tattoo)

 

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A post shared by Tomas Garcia (@tomas_garcia)

 

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A post shared by NEVEN TATTOO STUDIO (@neven_tattoo)

 

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A post shared by Ana Flavia Diaz (@inkdealer.af)

 

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A post shared by İ L H A N B İ L İ R (@ilhan_bilir)

 

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A post shared by amanda appiarius (@ancientindigo)

 

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A post shared by Achille De Maria Tattooer (@achille_de_maria)

 

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A post shared by Justin Flores (@justotattoos)

 

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A post shared by Laila Voll (@lailavoll.tattooart)

 

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A post shared by Modern Electric Studio (@modernelectric.ttt)

 

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A post shared by Lisa S. (@sisterxserpent)

 

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A post shared by Rachel Williams (welsby) (@rachelwilliams_tattoo)

 

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A post shared by Martynas Šnioka (@shnioka)

 

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A post shared by Terra Boreen (@terra_boreen)

 

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A post shared by Lirontattoo (@lirontattoo)

 

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A post shared by Rachel Williams (welsby) (@rachelwilliams_tattoo)

 

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A post shared by ImperiA AngeLOVE (@imperia_angelove)

 

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A post shared by Hustlers Parlour NYC (@hustlersparlournyc)

 

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A post shared by Flávio Deslandes (@deslandes_tattoo)

 

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A post shared by olivia hogan (@olivetattoos)

 

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A post shared by BLACK TULIP (@black.tulip.tattoo)

 

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A post shared by ♠️ ♠️ (@am_ink_zlydotting)

 

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A post shared by Sana (@sana.ink)

 

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A post shared by Bryn King Tattooist (@brynkingtattoos)

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A post shared by Watermelon Tattoo (@watermelon_tattoo)

 

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A post shared by Anime Tattoos By Jorge Cz (@jcz.art)

 

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A post shared by 汚い猫 (@ibizaink_dirtycat)

 

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A post shared by @charlodarko

 

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A post shared by Luke.A.Ashley (@lukeaashley)

 

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A post shared by Dani Benite (@daydream_db)

 

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A post shared by Cat (ฅ•ㅅ•ฅ) (@alcaterin.tattoo)

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