The word “labrys”, a word of Minoan origin is a double headed axe, known as well as “pelekys” or “sagaris”.
Representations of double axes are found in Africa, in Old Europe, in Minoan Crete and among other places, and they are mainly associated with the worship of Mother Earth or Great Goddess.
Minoan labrys has been used as a ritual axe, found in ancient Minoan depictions of the Mother Goddess. Its symbolism is related to the labyrinth and it is believed that the meaning of the worl labyrinth is the “house of the double axe”. Labrys was used by female priestesses only, for bull sacrifices.
The moon-like shape of the double axe and the belief that it was used in the battlefields by the Amazons makes it a symbol associated with female and the female empowerment till our days.
The two moon-blades of the labrys, one crescent (waxing) and the other decrescent (waning) , correspond respectively to all the oppositions and complementarities which are the necessary condition of manifest existence: life and death, summer and winter, pleasure and pain, activity and rest, day and night, etc. The labrys is strictly equivalent to the far-eastern yin-yang symbol, itself a device of matriarchal origin.
Yet the crucial point of the labrys is not the axe-head, but the central haft that passes through it. This haft represents the world-axis that passes through the centre of the cosmos, and upon which maid, the “central” being on her own plane of existence, takes her station (provided she is true to her own nature, or thamë).
This is made abundantly clear by the fact that in the Mythos the labrys is hung upon the Pillar of Hell, which is in truth the lowest section of the World-Axis.
Feel your inner strength with this ancient symbol! It is handmade of sterling 925 silver and much artistic energy has been put into the making of this piece. The wearer will surely feel a sense of balance and stability through this symbol. The measurements are as follows:
3cm long
1.6cm wide
The pendant will be sent with an adjustable black cotton strap but it also looks great with a silver chain.
It would make a very unique addition to your collection 🙂
If you have any questions feel free to ask!
Happy buying 🙂