Uroboros, Sculpture in Portland, Oregon
Uroboros is a concrete sculpture in Westmoreland Park that shows a shape resembling a circle formed by a serpent or dragon biting its own tail. The work is roughly 6 feet (1.8 m) long, over 1 foot (0.3 m) tall, and about 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, resting on a square base.
The work was created in 1979 by artist Charles Kibby using cast concrete and was part of a public art funding program between 1979 and 1980. It was later donated to the park as a permanent addition to Portland's public art collection.
The sculpture takes its name from an ancient symbol of a serpent consuming its own tail, a motif found across many cultures to represent eternal cycles. Visitors can observe the geometric form and reflect on timeless meanings of renewal and continuity.
The sculpture is located in Westmoreland Park in the Sellwood neighborhood of southeast Portland and is easily accessible to pedestrians and families. The park setting allows visitors to explore and view the geometric form from different angles.
The design of the sculpture was inspired by ancient symbols used in Egyptian and Greek cultures that represented themes of eternity and change. Many visitors feel connected to these timeless meanings even if they do not know the symbol's historical origin.
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