Erich Neumann
Erich Neumann (Hebrew: אריך נוימן; 23 January 1905 – 5 November 1960) was a German psychologist, philosopher, writer, and student of Carl Jung.
According to Erich Neumann, the uroboros symbol, often depicted as a snake or dragon eating its own tail, represents not only the maternal womb as a “round container” but also the unification of masculine and feminine opposites, signifying a wholeness and primordial unity within the psyche.
Key points about Neumann’s interpretation of the uroboros:
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Primal Womb Symbolism:
The circular form of the uroboros is seen as a symbolic representation of the mother’s womb, signifying the origin of life and the potential for new beginnings.
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Union of Opposites:
Beyond just the womb, the uroboros also embodies the integration of opposing forces like male and female, conscious and unconscious, representing a state of wholeness and balance.
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Archetypal Image:
Neumann, a prominent Jungian psychologist, viewed the uroboros as a powerful archetype, meaning it is a universal, primal image present in the collective unconscious that can be accessed through mythology and symbolism.