double-axe labrys pendant (small)

The double-axe, or labrys, was the supreme sacred symbol of the Minoan civilization, a holy ritual object dedicated to their Mother Goddess. Because ancient art exclusively depicts the labrys in the hands of women, it serves as powerful evidence of a matriarchal society where priestesses held divine and political authority. It has been suggested that the symmetrical blades represent cosmic balance, lunar cycles, or the union of earth and sky.

Excavations led by Sir Arthur Evans at the Palace of Knossos starting in 1900 brought these myths into reality. Archaeologists first noticed the symbol etched into pillars and foundation stones across the site, inspiring the theory that the word Labyrinth literally means "house of the double-axe." They later discovered the Shrine of the Double Axes, a ritual room containing bronze axes, and nearby graves yielded massive sheet-bronze ceremonial axes.

The labrys was also a recurrent motif on Minoan pottery, decorating ritual vessels and large storage jars (pithoi). Sometimes the axe is drawn with soft, rounded blades that look like the wings of a butterfly, a symbol which the Minoans associated with rebirth and transformation.

Today, you can see ceramic and bronze pieces on display at the wonderful, newly refurbished Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Following the collapse of Minoan culture, mainstream Greek mythology absorbed the symbol but shifted it into male, patriarchal hands. The labrys evolved into the thunderbolt of Zeus, and Hephaistos used a double-headed axe to split open the skull of Zeus, allowing baby Athena to pop out, fully armed and ready for combat! The Amazons used the labrys too, now transformed from a peaceful symbol of priestesses into a weapon for legendary warrior women.

This double-bladed legacy takes a dramatic turn in Homer's Odyssey, when Penelope challenges her suitors to shoot an arrow clean through the alignment holes of twelve iron double-axes in a row. Only the disguised Odysseus possesses the strength to string his legendary bow and fire the arrow perfectly through the axes, proving his divine right to reclaim his island kingdom Ithaka.

This ancient history of female empowerment inspired 1970s lesbian feminists to reclaim the labrys as a symbol of strength and self-sufficiency, culminating in the 1999 Labrys Lesbian Pride Flag. Designed by Sean Campbell, this flag centers the white axe over an inverted black triangle—a reclaimed badge of resilience—against a violet background honoring the ancient Greek poet Sappho.

It has been a privilege to work with the Vaphiadis family since 2007. They are one of the best manufacturers of sterling silver jewellery in Greece.

The collection is inspired by ancient Greek silver and gold coins, the art and jewellery of the Minoan civilisation, familiar symbolic motifs and images, and the animals that played a significant part in ancient Greek culture.

Due to the tragic, sudden death in early 2025 of Ioannis Vaphiadis, who made all this beautiful jewellery, the family's jewellery production has ceased.

This is all the remaining stock that I have. Ioannis was only in his late 50s, was such a lovely man and a dear friend.

I was so lucky to work closely with him for 19 years.If you already have a piece of his jewellery, cherish it.