About Our Name

ABRAXAS

In Greek the seven letters of Abraxas, when added together, equal the value of 365 or the number of days in the year. This furnishes the key to the mystery of Abraxas, who symbolizes the 365 spirits of the days, gathered together in one composite personality.

In the Gnostic pantheon, Abraxas is the Supreme Being. From His human body spring two serpents, Nous "divine word" and Logos "inward thought". His head is that of a cock, a bird representing Foresight and Vigilance. His arms hold the shield of Wisdom and the whip of Power. Four white horses symbolize the four ethers by which His power is circulated through all the universe.

That the modern world has any knowledge whatever of ancient Gnostic symbolism is largely due to the material greed of those individuals who set themselves to destroying every intelligible record of Gnostic philosophy. For wishing to horde rather than destroy articles of commercial value, these fanatics unwittingly preserved gems upon which Gnostic symbols were engraved. Rings and other articles of jewelry set with Gnostic gems were undoubtedly used by members of the cult as means of identification. As the order was a secret society, the designs were small and inobtrusive.