Labrys

Labrys was widespread in the culture of pre-Greek Minoan civilization. During the excavations of the Cretan palaces were discovered a giant Labrys, taller than a man. Unlike the Middle East, the bearers of Minoan Labrys were not gods and priests, but only goddesses and their priestesses. Common conception is that this the most sacred of the religious symbols of the Cretan civilization was used by the priestesses of the sacrifice of bulls. In addition, the superficial resemblance of words Labrys and labyrinth gave rise to the stable Association of two-sided axe from Knossos labyrinth and the Minotaur.

American archaeologist Maria Gimbutas seen in the Greek Labrys a pre echo of the matriarchal cult of the great Goddess. From the point of view of Gimbutas and her followers, the Cretan Labrys, repeating the shape of a butterfly symbolizes a maternity home. This explains the popularity of Labrys in wiccan ceremonies.