In part 35 of this analysis, we observed that Hannibal Lecter desires to become Mercurius, a being whom Carl Jung says consists of all conceivable opposites. Ultimately, however, Lecter plans to become an even hire being: Abraxas. The word Abrasax (Greek ΑΒΡΑΣΑΞ, which is far more common in the sources than the variant form Abraxas, ΑΒΡΑΞΑΣ) was a word of mystic meaning in the system of the Gnostic Basilides, being there applied to the “Great Archon” (Gk., megas archōn), the princeps of the 365 spheres (Gk., ouranoi). In Gnostic cosmology, the 7 letters spelling its name represent each of the 7 classic planets—sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
The word is found in Gnostic texts such as the Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit, and also appears in the Greek Magical Papyri. It was engraved on certain antique gemstones, called on that account Abrasax stones, which were used as amulets or charms. As the initial spelling on stones was 'Abrasax' (Αβρασαξ), the spelling of 'Abraxas' seen today probably originates in the confusion made between the Greek letters Sigma and Xi in the Latin transliteration.
Opinions abound on Abraxas, who in recent centuries has been claimed to be both an Egyptian god and a demon. Jung's Seven Sermons to the Dead calls Abraxas a god higher than the Christian God and Devil, that combines all opposites into one Being.[a] This is the god whom Hannibal Lecter ultimately desires to become.
a. Wikipedia, 'Abraxas'. Web, n.d. URL = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraxas.
