The Auryn: The Symbol of Power and Balance in The NeverEnding Story
In Michael Ende’s beloved fantasy novel The NeverEnding Story and its film adaptation, symbolism plays a vital role in shaping the story's magical world, known as Fantasia (or Fantastica in the book). While many characters have become iconic, such as Atreyu and Falkor, one symbol stands out as the narrative’s most powerful—the Auryn. This mystical amulet, featuring two intertwining serpents, is not just a relic but a profound representation of the universe's duality, balance, and the power of imagination.
What Is the Auryn?
The Auryn is an ornate, ouroboros-style medallion depicting two serpents, one light and one dark, biting each other’s tails. Their bodies are coiled into an endless loop, symbolizing eternity, cyclical nature, and balance. This design appears prominently on the book’s cover and serves as the badge of authority for the Childlike Empress, Fantasia’s ruler.
Significance of the Auryn
Receiving the Auryn is more than a privilege—it’s a charge. When Atreyu is entrusted with the medallion, he is effectively given the Empress’s blessing and the right to act on her behalf. But the true power of the Auryn lies in its ability to:
- Guide its bearer: It steers the traveler without directions, subtly influencing their path.
- Grant power: The wearer’s wishes shape the fabric of Fantasia, revealing the Auryn’s immense potency.
- Provide protection: It safeguards the bearer from dark forces, including The Nothing, a growing void consuming Fantasia.
Symbolism of the Serpents
The white and black snakes of the Auryn reflect the dual nature of existence—light and dark, creation and destruction, known and unknown. Their symmetrical design suggests harmony and unity between opposites, a recurring theme in the story. It also reinforces the concept that contradictions can coexist, reinforcing the tension between free will and fate, imagination and memory.
The Auryn’s Role in the Plot
Throughout Atreyu's journey, the Auryn acts as an invisible guide and protector. When Atreyu falls into perilous regions like the Swamps of Sadness, it becomes evident that survival often hinges on unseen forces, implied to be the Auryn’s influence. Later, when Bastian enters Fantasia and inherits the Auryn, the medallion becomes a double-edged sword—each of his wishes reshapes the world but costs him part of his memory. This exchange highlights the dangers of unchecked desire and serves as a metaphor for how imagination can both enlighten and consume.
The Phrase Inscribed on the Auryn
One of the most iconic features of the Auryn is the phrase it bears: “Do what you wish.” At first glance, it suggests total autonomy. However, the deeper meaning is that the individual must discover their true desires—ones that align with personal growth and ethical purpose. This maxim challenges both Atreyu and Bastian to look inward and evaluate their motives.
Cultural and Mythological Inspirations
The concept of two entwined serpents is not exclusive to The NeverEnding Story. Similar symbols appear in global mythologies:
- Ouroboros: A serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing eternal return and the unity of all things.
- Yin and Yang: From Chinese philosophy, depicting cosmic balance between opposites.
- Caduceus: The staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology, with two snakes entwined, often associated with healing or commerce.
Auryn in the Film Adaptation
In the 1984 movie, the Auryn is visually striking, rendered as a powerful amulet glinting with metallic elegance. Its design has become an enduring image associated with childhood imagination and fantasy. While the film simplifies some elements of the novel, it retains the symbolic stature of the Auryn, using it as the linchpin of Atreyu’s and later Bastian’s journeys.
Auryn’s Moral Lessons
The Auryn teaches multiple philosophical and psychological lessons throughout the story:
- Imagination comes with responsibility: The ability to wish and create requires moral judgment and self-awareness.
- True desire is self-discovery: The journey to understand one's desires is a central theme of Bastian’s story arc.
- Balance is essential: Just as the intertwined serpents suggest, life demands equilibrium—between ambition and humility, memory and fantasy, light and darkness.
Legacy of the Auryn
Beyond its narrative role, the Auryn has gained lasting cultural recognition. Fans of the novel and movie often wear pendants, tattoos, or display images of the Auryn as symbols of personal transformation, inner guidance, and creative empowerment. It has transcended fiction to become a real-world emblem of hope, imagination, and balance.
Conclusion
The Auryn is far more than a magical trinket. It encapsulates the essence of The NeverEnding Story: a realm where imagination holds boundless power, and where symbols reflect deeper truths. By blending mythological motifs with philosophical questions, Michael Ende crafted the Auryn not just as a narrative device, but as a timeless symbol of guidance, choice, and transformation that continues to inspire generations.
