The Ouroboros, or a snake eating its own tail, is a symbol found in many cultures around the world. It’s generally seen as a bad omen, representing doom, futility, infinity, or a destructive cycle. In the case of Norse mythology, the Ouroboros takes the form of the world serpent, Jormungandr. Jormungandr is the son of Loki and his giantess wife, Angrboda. He was born the size of a normal serpent, but grew so large, so quickly, that he could not fit in the halls of Asgard, and spilled through the branches of Yggdrasil until he landed in the oceans of Midgard, causing floods that killed millions. His growth did not stop there, and he eventually grew so long that his body encircled the world. Not only was his immense size strangling Midgard, but from his mouth poured incredibly potent venom, strong enough to kill a god. Still amenable to the pleas of mortal men, and his father Loki, Jormungandr pledged to plug his venomous mouth with his tail, preventing both his growth and his toxins from destroying Midgard.
