A magical gold ring set with a jasper Abraxas stone intaglio.

Roman, 2nd-3rd Century AD.

Abraxas was an Egyptian Gnostic solar deity. Amulets and seals bearing the figure of Abraxas were common in the second century AD, and were used as recently as the thirteenth century in the seals of the Knights Templar. By medieval times, Abraxas was relegated to the ranks of demons. The image most associated with Abraxas is that of a composite creature with the head of a rooster, the body of a man, and legs made of serpents or scorpions. He carries a whip and shield, called wisdom and power, respectively. Amulets such as these (aka Abraxas Stones) were intended to protect the owner or serve very specific magical purposes to the owner’s benefit. Abraxas is a Deity in the Gnostic faith. In Gnostic cosmology, the 7 letters spelling its name represent each of the 7 classic planets—Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Gnosticism is a collection of religious ideas and systems which coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects. These various groups emphasised personal spiritual knowledge (gnosis) above the orthodox teachings, traditions, and authority of religious institutions.