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Labrys (Greek:λάβρυς,romanized: lábrys) is, according toPlutarch (Quaestiones Graecae 2.302a), theLydian word for thedouble-bittedaxe. In Greek it was calledπέλεκυς (pélekys). The plural oflabrys islabryes (λάβρυες).
Plutarch relates that the wordlabrys was aLydian word for 'axe':Λυδοὶ γὰρ ‘λάβρυν’ τὸν πέλεκυν ὀνομάζουσι.[a][3] ("For Lydians name the double-edged axe 'Labrys'"). Many scholars includingArthur Evans assert that the wordlabyrinth is derived fromlabrys and thus implies 'house of the double axe'.[4] A priestly corporation inDelphi was namedLabyades; the original name was probablyLabryades, servants of the double axe. In theRoman era atPatrai andMessene, a goddessLaphria was worshipped, commonly identified withArtemis. Her name was said to be derived from the region around Delphi.[5][6]
InCrete the "double axe" is not a weapon, and it always accompanies female goddesses, not male gods, referring to the male bull god itself.[7]Robert S. P. Beekes regards the relation oflabyrinth withlabrys as speculative, and rather proposes a relation withlaura (λαύρα), 'narrow street', or to the Cariantheonym Dabraundos (Δαβραυνδος).[8]
It is also possible that the wordlabyrinth is derived from theEgyptian, meaning: "the temple at the entrance of the lake". TheEgyptian labyrinth nearLake Moeris is described byHerodotus andStrabo.[10] The inscription inLinear B, ontablet ΚΝ Gg 702, reads𐀅𐁆𐀪𐀵𐀍𐀡𐀴𐀛𐀊 (da-pu2-ri-to-jo-po-ti-ni-ja). The conventional reading isλαβυρίνθοιο πότνια (labyrinthoio potnia; 'mistress of the labyrinth'). According to some modern scholars it could read *δαφυρίνθοιο (*daphyrinthoio), or something similar, and hence be without a certain link with either theλάβρυς or the labyrinth.[11]
A link has also been posited with the double axe symbols atÇatalhöyük, dating to the Neolithic age.[12](p 161) InLabraunda inCaria, as well as in the coinage of theHecatomnid rulers of Caria, the double axe accompanies the storm godZeus Labraundos.Arthur Evans notes,
It seems natural to interpret names of Carian sanctuaries such as Labranda in the most literal sense as the place of the sacred labrys, which was the Lydian (or Carian) name for the Greekπέλεκυς [pelekys], or double-edged axe[13]
and
on Carian coins, indeed of quite late date, the labrys, set up on its long pillar-like handle, with two dependent fillets, has much the appearance of acult image.[13]
In ancientCrete, the double axe was an important sacred symbol of theMinoan religion.[14] In Crete the double axe only accompanies goddesses, never gods. It seems that it was the symbol of thearche of the creation (Mater-arche).[12](p 161) Small versions were used asvotive offerings and have been found in considerable numbers; theArkalochori Axe is a famous and rather larger example. Minoan double axes have also recently been found in the prehistoric town ofAkrotiri (Santorini Island) along with other objects of apparent religious significance.[15]
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The double axe apparently carried important symbolism the ancientThracianOdrysian kingdom related to theThracian religion and to royal power. It is argued that in ancient Thrace the double axe was an attribute ofZalmoxis. The double axe appears on coins from Thrace and is believed to be the symbol of the kings of the Odrysae, who believed they could trace their lineage to Zalmoxis.[16] A fresco from theThracian tomb near Aleksandrovo in south-east Bulgaria, dated toc. 4th c. BCE, depicts a large-size naked man wielding a double axe.
In theNear East and other parts of the region, eventually, axes of this sort often are wielded by male divinities and appear to become symbols of the thunderbolt, a symbol often found associated with the axe symbol.[17] InLabraunda ofCaria the double-axe accompanies the storm-godZeus Labraundos. Similar symbols have been found on plates ofLinear pottery culture inRomania.[12](p 162) The double-axe is associated with theHurrian god of sky and stormTeshub. HisHittite andLuwian name wasTarhun.[18] Both are depicted holding a triplethunderbolt in one hand and a double axe in the other hand. Similarly,Zeus throws his thunderbolt to bring a storm. Thelabrys, orpelekys, is the double axe Zeus uses to invoke storm and, the relatively modern Greek word for lightning is "star-axe" (ἀστροπελέκιastropeleki)[19] The worship of the double axe was kept up in the Greek island ofTenedos and in several cities in the south-west ofAsia Minor, and it appears in later historical times in the cult of the thunder god of Asia Minor (Zeus Labrayndeus).
In the context of the mythical Attic kingTheseus, the labyrinth ofGreek mythology is frequently associated with theMinoan palace ofKnossos. This is based on the reading of Linear Bda-pu2-ri-to-jo-po-ti-ni-ja as λαβυρίνθοιο πότνια ("mistress of the labyrinth").[b] It is uncertain, however, thatlabyrinth can be interpreted as "place of the double axes" and moreover that this should be Knossos; many more have been found, for example, at the Arkalachori Cave, where the famousArkalochori Axe was found.[original research?]
On Greek coins of the classical period (e.g. Pixodauros) a type of Zeus venerated atLabraunda inCaria that numismatists callZeus Labrandeus (Ζεὺς Λαβρανδεύς) stands with a sceptre upright in his left hand and the double-headed axe over his shoulder.[20]
InRoman Crete, the labrys was often associated with the mythologicalAmazons.[21]
While double axes are common in modernhigh fantasy settings, in reality they were not commonly used in combat.[22]
Double-bit axes were common in North American forestry: One blade would be sharp and used for felling, whilst the other was a little blunter for limbing. As the forest workers (lumberjacks) were often away from civilization for long periods of time they needed a way to amuse themselves. Thus the sport of double-bit axe throwing was born. In recent decades the sport has been formalised with Swedish companyGränsfors Bruk writing the rules most widely accepted. There are now multiple clubs across Europe that throw double-bit. The sport of double-bit was formalised in the 1990s, whereashatchet throwing was formalised in 2006.[23]
The labrys is sometimes used as a symbol ofHellenic polytheism.[citation needed] As a symbol of theneopaganGoddess movement, the labrys represents the memory of pre-patriarchal matristic societies.[c][25]
In Greece, the labrys was employed as a symbol ofMetaxism.[26] During thetotalitarian period of the4th of August Regime (1936–1941), it represented the regime-sponsoredNational Organization of Youth (EON), as its leader,Ioannis Metaxas, believed it to be the first symbol of all Hellenic civilizations.[26]
The labrys symbol was also used prominently by theVichy France regime, being featured on the personal flag of Chief of StatePhilippe Pétain, on coins, and in various propaganda posters.[27]
In the 1960s the labrys was also used by the Italianneo-fascist andfar-right movementOrdine Nuovo, most prominently on their flag.[28]
Infeminist interpretations, the labrys is asymbol ofmatriarchy and female empowerment.[29][d][30]
In the 1970s, the labrys was adopted by thelesbian community, as alesbian feminist symbol, representing strength and self-sufficiency.[31] The symbol is described to represent abutterfly and thelabia, and is seen as an embodiment of the female spirit.[32]
Thelesbian flag, created in 1999 by Sean Campbell depicts a labrys superimposed on an invertedblack triangle and set against aviolet background.[33]
The labrys is incorporated into the logo ofThe Charlotte Museum, a lesbian museum inAuckland,New Zealand.[34] InKyrgyzstan, "Labrys" is an LGBT rights organization. The group's goal is to improve the quality of life for allLGBT individuals in their country as well as Central Asia.[35] Similarly, "Labrisz" is an association inHungary for lesbian and bisexual women.
The double axe is used by Cretan folklore preservation societies and associations both in Greece and abroad, on occasion with the spelling "lavrys" reflecting modern Greek pronunciation.[citation needed]
In the 2025 filmLesbian Space Princess, the labrys is the "most powerful weapon known to lesbian kind". It serves as both a weapon and a symbol of lesbian power.[36]
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