The Battle Axe
 

Sagaris or double axe - an androgynous symbol of all gynocratic nations.

The battle axe cultures represent the roots of the Indo-European people.  What can be said with some certainty is that the battle axe people had a large ethnic, social and cultural inheritance from the hunter-fishers of the forest cultures.

                                               Hawkes

The labrys ("lip"), or double-headed axe, was the central ritual symbol and tool prominent in the Cretan region, and was carried only by women.  We find this same feminine attachment and reverence for the labrys in the later Amazonian cultures.  It is found in Paleolithic cave paintings.

The labrys is symbol of the female labia at the entrance of the womb and the butterfly, which is connected with rebirth.  The double axe is also associated with the even more ancient hourglass figure of the Goddess.  When mounted between cattle horns, the labrys was the holiest of Goddess symbols.  The matriarchal Cretans made the double axe in all sizes, from delicate jewelry to nine foot tall specimens which stood at the ends of altars.   This symbol also marked the entrance to Goddess sanctuaries.

The labrys was a feminine only ceremonial weapon, also used by women in agricultural working and battle.

The two heads symbolize the waxing and waning Moons.  The labrys design is found on matriarchal murals and mosaics, pottery, seals, and amulets.  It was exclusively a symbol of the Great Goddess, until part of its symbolism was later transferred to the Nordic god Thor.

                               DJ Conway
 

The magical meaning of the labrys: learning to use the Valkyrie within.  Defending yourself against negative people.  Overcoming discrimination in any form.

In the original Norse feminine Mysteries, the labrys or double-axe of the Valkyries was used.

Mystical Runes:
Name: The battle-axe of the Valkyries.
Deity: Valkyries.
Magickal Color: Red.
Magickal Meaning: Increase, protection, will power, magickal power under control.  Overpowers all negative runes.
This mystic rune is a very simplified symbol of the labrys, or double axe of Goddess religions.  The Valkyries, as Norse Amazons, would have been familiar with it.

The labrys or double-bladed axe stood for the Amazons and their
Goddess under several of Her names: Artemis, Gaea, Rhea, Demeter.  Perhaps originally a battle axe, it became a ceremonial
scepter in Crete and at the Goddess's oldest adopted
shrine, Delphi.
 

                                             B. Walker

Hippolyte's battle axe he (Heracles) presented to Omphale, queen of Lydia, who kept it among the sacred treasures of the Lydian royal dynasty.

                         D. Sobol
 
 
 

The Labyris (labyris - labris - labrus) is an ancient
                                     Minoan symbol that looks like a double axe and was
                                     quite common on the island of Crete. Scholars have
                                     reason to believe that the symbol actually
                                     represents a butterfly, a symbol of transformation.
                                     This symbol was most likely the one at the end of a
                                     wand that was supposedly used by a goddess
                                     (Circe, Athena).

                                     Later this wand was actually transformed into an
                                     axe that was used as a weapon by the Amazons, a
                                     matriarchal warrior society.

                                     Today it is used by women looking for a symbol of
                                     strength and independance and to represent the
                                     Amazon spirit.
 
 
 

 Home // AncientAmazons //