August Kekulé
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Friedrich August Kekulé, later Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz, was a German organic chemist. From the 1850s until his death, Kekulé was one of the most prominent chemists in Europe, especially
Friedrich August Kekulé von Stradonitz
1964 West German centenary stamp for the discovery of the molecular formula of benzene
Ouroboros
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The ouroboros or uroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a snake or dragon eating its own tail. The ouroboros entered Western tradition via ancient Egyptian iconography and the Greek magical tradition
August Kekulé
…the ring shape of the benzene molecule after having a reverie or day-dream of a snake seizing its own tail (this is an ancient symbol known as the ouroboros). Another depiction of benzene had appeared in 1886 in the Berichte der Durstigen Chemischen Gesellschaft (Journal of the Thirsty Chemical Society), a…
A dragon-like ouroboros in a 1478 drawing in an alchemical tract
First known representation of the ouroboros, on one of the shrines enclosing the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun
A highly stylised ouroboros from The Book of Kells, an illuminated Gospel Book (c. 800 CE)
Engraving of a wyvern-type ouroboros by Lucas Jennis, in the 1625 alchemical tract De Lapide Philosophico. The figure serves as a symbol for mercury.