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IAO: Ophite Iconography
IAO is an iconographic proposal, an attempt to illustrate the Gnostic worldview and its myths as understood by the Ophites, a sect of which little is known. It is, perhaps, an exercise of imagination, of what Christian iconography could have resembled if the Ophites had survived. Visually, it follows the sequences of the Speculum Humanae Salvationis and the Biblia Pauperum, reordering their contents according to this heterodox initiative.
“Gnosticism lacks images in a remarkable way, the abstraction of its texts is only equated by the visual silence of its few and discrete remains. And yet the texts are filled with images!
“These images are, in fact, visions, allegories, and myths of a yet unexplored richness. And the ambitious proposal here is to consolidate an iconographic programme…”
Central to this initiative is the reconstruction of the Ophite diagram described by Origen of Alexandria in Contra Celsum – a complex system in which their whole cosmic vision was integrated.
“The three axis, which the images will revolve around, are three distinctive topics of the gnostic worldview: The demiurge (and his relation to the manifested world), the myth of Sophia (and the female aspects of the divine), and the ophite Christology, or the saviour as a serpent.”
IAO rejects the commonly held notion of Gnosticism as a mere form of dualism within Christianity, and explores its relationship with other religions – if only by conceptual coincidence, following Edward Conze’s comparison between Buddhism and Gnosis.
Moreover, the Ophites, by declaring Christ to be an incarnation of the Serpent of Genesis, stood outside the moral spectrum of what is now understood as Christianity. Instead, notions of non-duality can be found in the doctrines of Basilides and the idea of the Pleroma, which are explored within, both conceptually and visually.
“Gnosticism lacks images in a remarkable way, the abstraction of its texts is only equated by the visual silence of its few and discrete remains. And yet the texts are filled with images!
“These images are, in fact, visions, allegories, and myths of a yet unexplored richness. And the ambitious proposal here is to consolidate an iconographic programme…”
Central to this initiative is the reconstruction of the Ophite diagram described by Origen of Alexandria in Contra Celsum – a complex system in which their whole cosmic vision was integrated.
“The three axis, which the images will revolve around, are three distinctive topics of the gnostic worldview: The demiurge (and his relation to the manifested world), the myth of Sophia (and the female aspects of the divine), and the ophite Christology, or the saviour as a serpent.”
IAO rejects the commonly held notion of Gnosticism as a mere form of dualism within Christianity, and explores its relationship with other religions – if only by conceptual coincidence, following Edward Conze’s comparison between Buddhism and Gnosis.
Moreover, the Ophites, by declaring Christ to be an incarnation of the Serpent of Genesis, stood outside the moral spectrum of what is now understood as Christianity. Instead, notions of non-duality can be found in the doctrines of Basilides and the idea of the Pleroma, which are explored within, both conceptually and visually.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 26, 2025
This is a beautifully produced book, as Anathema productions tend to be; however, in the past, I found that the actual text that accompanies their books as being all over the place in terms of quality. Due to the unevenness of this quality and the price of their books, I tend to shy away from them now, but when I saw the description of José Gabriel Alegría Sabogal's latest work IAO, I knew instantly that once it came out I would snatch myself a copy quickly. Thankfully Sabogal delivers!
The book is littered on almost every page with inspired Gnostic Iconography carefully crafted by Sabogal. Sabogal does a great job of sketching out a more non-dual form of Gnostic theology to accompany these stimulating artistic representations, which I appreciated as someone who favors the non-dual approach.
There is not much to complain about other than that this is a pretty standard size hardcover, and an oversize presentation that one would find with Fulger Press would have really elevated this work by letting Sabogal art really pop off the pages. Also, I hope sometime in the future Anathema will publish a purchasable deck of Icons from this work to let people better meditate on this imagery.
Great book! I can see myself reaching for it off my bookshelf to read again and again.
The book is littered on almost every page with inspired Gnostic Iconography carefully crafted by Sabogal. Sabogal does a great job of sketching out a more non-dual form of Gnostic theology to accompany these stimulating artistic representations, which I appreciated as someone who favors the non-dual approach.
There is not much to complain about other than that this is a pretty standard size hardcover, and an oversize presentation that one would find with Fulger Press would have really elevated this work by letting Sabogal art really pop off the pages. Also, I hope sometime in the future Anathema will publish a purchasable deck of Icons from this work to let people better meditate on this imagery.
Great book! I can see myself reaching for it off my bookshelf to read again and again.
September 15, 2022
Wonderful insight into a mysterious aspect of gnosticism by my favorite modern artist. I personally own 2 original pieces that are featured in this book.
April 18, 2025
This is a book I will revisit not just for the artwork, but for the material written as well. I love Sabogal's artwork from the various bands he works with, and when I found out that he studies religious iconography, specifically within the Gnostic tradition, I had to read IAO. The various icons that Sabogal presents here are imaginative interpretations of the gnostic texts. From the Lost Gospels, to the poems in the Nag Hammadi Library, having a visual of the gnostic cosmogony and myth is fascinating, especially as it turns the Christian doctrine upside down.
One of my favorite aspects of the Gnostic tradition, especially related to the Ophites, is the detail of the Serpent Savior. Where the Serpent in the garden tempted Adam and Eve to free them from the false paradise of Eden and from the grasp of Ialdabaoth, the tyrannical demiurge of the Old Testament.
Fascinating graphics and text, rich with research and detail. Would recommend.
One of my favorite aspects of the Gnostic tradition, especially related to the Ophites, is the detail of the Serpent Savior. Where the Serpent in the garden tempted Adam and Eve to free them from the false paradise of Eden and from the grasp of Ialdabaoth, the tyrannical demiurge of the Old Testament.
Fascinating graphics and text, rich with research and detail. Would recommend.
May 1, 2022
It was worth waiting for such mind-illuminating work of art to be released. This is such a book which you can read from time to time again and noticing everytime something new. Reading this book is an experience for itself. The author illustrates nearly on each page the concepts he is explaining. Whereby the pictures for themself speak to you in symbolic language and the text shows even more hidden insight. Each picture could be used as a meditation object to contemplate as well. I would even think that each reader will go to his/her own personal transformation while experiencing this masterpiece which could have a big influence on the following path.
August 15, 2023
A very beautiful book. I learned a lot too.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews