Basic Information
Titles: The Lord of the 365 Virtues [1]
Alternative Name: Angnipede [2]
Type/Species: Hydra
Origin: Persian Mythology
About Abrasax / Anbraxas / Abraxis
In Persian mythology, Abrasax is a cross between a two-legged dragon and a serpent with the head of a cockerel. His weapon was a whip. [1] In some instances he is presented as a demon, [1] but in most sources he is seen as a god, specifically in Greco-oriental gnosticism. [2]
The name Abrasax means "supreme being" in Greek. [1] The Greek number values of the characters of his name also add up to the mystic number 365, which corresponds to the number of days in a year. [1] Abrasax is seen as Lord of the 365 Virtues, and each of these virtues is associated with a given day in the year. [1] The seven-character name (having seven letters in his name) is significant as well, for it is also associated with the seven planets. [2]
Abraxas stones were gems that held the image of the god, and often amulets and talisman would have at least one of these. [2] His image is usually the torso and arms of a human, the head of a cockerel, and serpent-cast legs. This is why he is sometimes referred to as Agnipede, meaning "snake feet," in some scientific literature. [2]
Physical Description
In some instances, he was a cross between a serpent and a two-legged dragon with the head of a cockerel. [1] Often, however, he is depicted with legs made of serpents, the head of a cockerel, with the torso and arms of a human. [2]
Footnotes
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
