Ouroboros - Original Abstract Painting

"A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures." –James E. Faust

 

An abstract painting following intuitive impulse using the approach of Helen Frankenthaler's stain soak technique.

The image that appeared looked like a snake circling back to its tail. Upon researching the symbolism, I found there is a term called Oroboros. There was a snake at the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the largest reptile display in The Gap NT, Australia that had just gone through this actual process that some snakes go through.

"In Hinduism, Shiva is a deity who represents transformation. Through destruction and restoration, Shiva reminds us that endings are beginnings and that our world is constantly undergoing a cycle of birth, death and rebirth." –Karen Salmansohn

According to ZMEScience.com,

"The snake eating its own tail is the symbol for Ourboros, Greek for "tail devourer." It represents the cyclic nature of the universe - creation out of destruction, life out of death. It can also be envisioned as a symbol of a time with the tail of the serpent representing the past which appears to be devoured (gone) when in reality it moves into a new inner domain of existence vanishing from view but still existing."

This is fascinating to me as it feels autobiographical.