ATHENA'S SPELL

THE RIDDLE, THE TABOO AND THE THREAT

     An idol is an image by means of which human senses are supposed to be able to perceive the whole character of the deity. Athena’s idol-image is the very embodiment of the Athanasian Creed’s ancient spell consisting of a riddle, taboo, and a threat. The demonic spirit behind Athena’s gold and ivory Parthenon idol-image is the very source of that enchanting spell.

     For the top of the helmet of her Parthenon idol-image, the sculptor, Phidias, chose a sphinx, that well-known ancient symbol of riddles.

     On her chest, he placed a Gorgon Medusa, a warning to all that questioning the goddess is forbidden, or taboo.

Inside her shield, he placed a fearsome threat: the coiled serpent ready to strike.

     So there we have symbols of the riddle, taboo, and threat making up the spell of the Athanasian Creed. But the ancient sculptor, Phidias, didn’t leave it at that. On both sides of the sphinx, he placed a gryphon to protect the gold.

According to Hans Biedermann’s Dictionary of Symbolism, the gryphon was known for “entrapping human souls.”

     Athena receives her enchanting power from the Genesis serpent whose root name in Hebrew is nâchash meaning “to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell . . . enchanter.” The Athanasian Creed is Athena's Creed.

   On the Acropolis of ancient Athens stood the Parthenon, a glorious temple to a woman we commonly call Athena. Outside her temple stood a huge bronze statue of her in warrior mode. Inside her temple stood her 40-foot-tall gold and ivory idol-image. In her right hand, she holds Nike, or Victory. By her left side, the golden Genesis serpent rises up next to her. This is the woman whose friendship with the serpent has led to humanity's victory over Noah and his God-fearing offspring in the post-Flood world.

In this rare and revealing vase-painting from 450 BC, Athena, identified by her serpent-trimmed aegis, stands proudly next to the serpent-entwined apple tree. (The vase handle obscures part of the tree and serpent). The serpent appears to be giving her instructions: it has her ear, as it had Eve’s ear in the ancient garden. Athena welcomes the serpent’s “enlightenment.”