Barbelo facts for kids
Barbelo is a powerful goddess in an ancient belief system called Gnosticism. She is also known by other names like Thought, Providence, Forethought, or Foreknowledge. People who followed Gnosticism believed she was the very first being to come from the ultimate, unseen God, often called Bythos.
In a special ancient book called the Apocryphon of John, which was found in the Nag Hammadi Library, Barbelo is described as "The first power, the glory, Barbelo, the perfect glory in the spiritual worlds, the glory of the revelation."
The Apocryphon of John also says about Barbelo:
"This is the first thought, his image; she became the source of everything, for it is she who came before them all, the Mother-Father, the first human-like being, the holy Spirit, the very powerful one, the one with many names who has both male and female qualities, and the eternal being among the invisible ones, and the first to appear."
This means that Barbelo was seen as incredibly important and powerful. She was thought to be the first idea or image of God, and the origin of all creation. She was considered to have both male and female characteristics, showing her complete and perfect nature.
Who is Barbelo?
Barbelo is a central figure in some Gnostic beliefs. Gnosticism was a group of ancient religious ideas that blended parts of early Christianity, Judaism, and other philosophies. Gnostics believed that special secret knowledge (gnosis) was needed to understand God and the universe.
Barbelo represents the first step in God's creation. She is often seen as the divine mind or wisdom that helps bring everything else into existence. Her role is to reveal God's glory and power.
The Apocryphon of John
The Apocryphon of John is one of the most important texts for understanding Barbelo. It's an ancient book that describes the creation of the universe and the role of divine beings like Barbelo.
This book was part of a collection of ancient writings discovered in 1945 near the town of Nag Hammadi in Egypt. These texts give us a deeper look into the diverse beliefs of early Gnostic groups. They show how different people understood God, creation, and the spiritual world in unique ways.
