Dragons of Fame

Abrasax / Anbraxas / Abraxis

History: 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

1. Allardice 11
2. Lurker 4

For more information about footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.