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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for

Abraxas Stones

stones or gems having the word Abraxas or Abrasax engraved on them in Greek letters. Though of various shapes, the figure on them usually has a human trunk and arms, a cock’s head, and two serpents‘ tails. They were used by the Gnostics, first by the Basilidians (q.v.), then by the Priscillians (q.v.), and afterwards generally. They were adopted by magicians and alchemists. They seem to have been used as talismans. Magicians in Egypt used them in the Hellenistic period. See Adolf Erman, Handbook.

citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney

article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12

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