Abraxas

Origin & Etymology

Abraxas (also spelled Abrasax) is an ancient mystical word of uncertain origin — possibly Coptic, Hebrew, or Aramaic — that was inscribed on amulets and gems in the ancient world. In Gnostic belief systems of the 2nd-3rd centuries CE, Abraxas was a supreme deity, the source of 365 heavens corresponding to the days of the year. The letters of Abrasax in Greek numerology add up to 365. The word appears in ancient Egyptian magic papyri and was adopted by the Basilidian Gnostic sect as the name of their highest god. Carl Jung later used Abraxas as a symbol of the union of opposites.

Popularity Story

Abraxas has attracted parents drawn to esoteric mythology, occult history, and names that carry profound ancient mystical weight. While extremely rare, it has found a niche among parents interested in Gnostic history, Jung's analytical psychology, or simply unusual mythological names.

Cultural Significance

Carl Jung wrote extensively about Abraxas in his Seven Sermons to the Dead (1916), describing it as the God who is difficult to know — the union of the spiritual world and the natural world. Herman Hesse featured the name prominently in his novel Demian (1919). More recently, Abraxas appears as a character name in Harry Potter (Draco Malfoy's grandfather).

Fun Facts

• The letters A-B-R-A-X-A-S in Greek numerology (1+2+100+1+60+1+200) add up to 365, corresponding to days in a year
• Carl Jung used Abraxas as the name of a transcendent God in his Septem Sermones ad Mortuos, written in 1916

Abraxas in Other Languages