Abraxas, a Gnostic Pantheos

Tap a motif on the picture, or a line below. Its note opens under the line, with the reading its author gave it.

1. Primary motif
2. 1The Sun and the Moonthe sun at the upper left, the crescent moon at the upper right
3. Secondary motifs · 2
4. 2The Serpent and the Dragonthe two legs, each ending in a serpent
5. 3The Horsethe four white horses drawing the chariot

A rooster-headed figure in armour, whip raised and shield on the arm, stands in a chariot drawn by four white horses, his legs two serpents; the sun at the upper left, a crescent moon at the upper right, the name ABRAXAS lettered below; the Sun and the Moon as the central motif by Hall's reading of the figure as solar, the Serpent and the Horse by eye. By eye

Hall, 1928 “The four white horses drawing the chariot of ABRAXAS symbolize the four ethers by means of which the solar power, ABRAXAS, is circulating through all parts of the universe.” The Secret Teachings of All Ages, plate caption.

Hall, 1928 “The seven-lettered name of ABRAXAS is symbolically significant of his seven-rayed power.” The Secret Teachings of All Ages, plate caption.

Hall, 1928 “Abraxas is usually symbolized as a composite creature, with the body of a human being and the head of a rooster, and with each of his legs ending in a serpent.” The Secret Teachings of All Ages, The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies, Part II.

Hall, 1928 “Basilides taught that the powers of the universe were divided into 365 Æons, or spiritual cycles, and that the sum of all these together was the Supreme Father, and to Him he gave the Qabbalistical appellation Abraxas, as being symbolical, numerologically, of His divine powers, attributes, and emanations.” The Secret Teachings of All Ages, The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies, Part II.

Decoded: every motif is marked, and each mark carries the reading its author gave it, quoted from the text, or says that it is observed on the picture and not read. The composition, the picture read whole, comes with the entry.