This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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When it comes to gems the hidden ones are often stories, not stones. Welcome to Demystified, where we look beyond the jewelry box, past our closets, and into the depths of our most cherished possessions to reveal their cross-cultural significance.
Depending on who you ask, there's a layer of dynamic significance to be found beneath the scaled exterior of a snake motif. Taylor Swift would say her use of the slithery reptile is an act of requital. For Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, it’s a form of escapism — a wearable way of unleashing the animal within. It’s this mutability, both in symbolism and in shape, that has made the snake an object of fascination throughout history. But if you come across one that’s devouring its own tail known as the ouroboros, the connotation of this coiled creature is much more specific.
“The serpent is a symbol of mythological importance in almost every ancient culture: it symbolizes power, fertility, transformation, and protection,” says jeweler Erica Weiner, who channeled the regenerative force of her own ouroboros ring even during childbirth despite warnings that it might need to be cut off (it wasn't). According to Weiner, this kind of decorative accessory is a timeless style that dates back to the 3,000-year-old tombs of Egypt. The elegant circularity of the ouroboros imitates the continual rhythm of the universe, and its association with eternal love has made it a popularly used design in mourning jewelry from the late 1700s throughout the 19th century (consider this Georgian enameled option on Weiner's site, which has an actual lock of human hair preserved below the snake's orbiting underbelly).
Gucci's gleaming reintroduction of the symbol came in the form of diamond and gem-encrusted pieces made to celebrate the concept of renewal. This applies not only to the emblem itself, but to the next phase of design for the fashion house led by Michele and his fiercely charming eccentricity. A statement shared with us from the luxury design house explains that inspiration was drawn from “the introspection and the infinite cycle of nature’s endless creation and destruction,” resulting in a series of insatiable serpents that colorfully express Gucci's aesthetic rebirth.
The allure of snake jewelry lies within its historical connection to both poison and alchemy — an enchanting cocktail that collectors simply can't resist. The uniqueness of the ouroboros offers a compelling take on the trend fit for the boldest of jewelry boxes, as long as its wearer can handle a touch of darkness. Ahead (if you dare), discover a range of ways to incorporate the mystical motif into your own life, from wrapping it around your finger to displaying it on your wall. We promise these items won't bite — at least not anything other than themselves.
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Erica Weiner Ouroboros Ring, $, available at Erica Weiner
Erica Weiner Georgian Enameled Ouroboros Ring, $, available at Erica Weiner
Gucci Ouroboros Turquoise Snake Ring, $, available at Nordstrom
MichelleChangJewelry Brass Tail Ring With Gemstone Eyes, $, available at Etsy
Alex & Ani Ouroboros Large Candle, $, available at Alex & Ani
Wild Fable Snake Centerbar Buckle Belt, $, available at Target
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