The image of a serpent entwined around an egg is found in the symbolism of such widely-flung ancient belief systems as India, Egypt, European Druids, and Gnostics of the Near and Middle East. It is also known as the Orphic Egg.
“The ancient symbol of the Orphic Mysteries was the serpent-entwined egg, which signified Cosmos as encircled by the fiery Creative Spirit. The egg also represents the soul of the philosopher; the serpent, the Mysteries. At the time of initiation the shell is broke. and man emerges from the embryonic state of physical existence wherein he had remained through the fetal period of philosophic regeneration.” (Manly P. Hall)
Size: 3.5″ x 2.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment, resin on canvas.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Elementals,
Mixed Media,
Serpent,
Snake
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
-William Blake, from “Auguries of Innocence”
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Dragon,
Ouroboros,
Rose,
Serpent,
Snake
This emblem, said to originate from a gnostic signet ring, shows abundant alchemical symbolism representing completion of the transmutation of base matter. The red lion, which is the philosopher’s sulfur, is joined to the serpent, the philosopher’s mercury. This resulting living being is crowned with a halo which tells us that it has become gold. The sun and moon represent light and darkness, truth and dream, in balance.
Size: 2″ x 2″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
Etsy link.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Chimera,
Equinox,
Lion,
Mixed Media,
Serpent,
Snake
