Norfolk, England

Leo constellation, from Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive Uranographia, part of Prodromus Astronomiae (1690) by Johannes Hevelius

The ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon consuming its own tail, forming a circular shape. This powerful image has been present across various cultures and historical periods, representing concepts such as infinity, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of existence. In alchemy, the ouroboros symbolises the unity of all things, the fusion of opposites, and the continuous process of transformation and renewal. Beyond its cultural and mystical significance, the ouroboros has captured the human imagination with its evocative imagery, serving as an enduring reminder of the mysteries and complexities of life, death, and the universe.

Tableau de la Croix || 1651

La Femme Chauve-Souris (The Bat-Woman) 1890

— by Albert Joseph Penot

Grotesques of the Amiens Cathedral, Picardy region of France

French vintage postcard

On the Shore By Fidus

“SKULL AND CROSSBONES” ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE // 1983 [gelatin silver print | 38.4 × 38 cm.]

Armored breastplate crafted by Filippo Negroli (fl.1532-51), made of metal. Currently part of the collection at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, Italy.