Ophiomorphos

**Ophiomorphos** is the serpent of knowledge within the religion of Gnosticism.

## Overview

Ophiomorphos is viewed by the practitioners of Gnosticism as a heroic spirit who helped liberate humanity from the rule of Yaldabaoth. While parallels can be drawn from this event and the Garden of Eden, there are major differences. God was disappointed at Adam and Eve for breaking the one rule He gave them and punished the serpent for taking advantage of their ignorance, Yaldabaoth was mad at his human equivalents just because they didn't want to worship him anymore. God was a disappointed parent who still acknowledged this as necessary, while Yaldabaoth was raging tyrant who couldn't handle being told "No".

Some theorize that Ophiomorphos was Jesus Christ himself (as indicated in the Apocrypha of John) who manifested as a serpent, or that it was Sophia.

## Appearance

Ophiomorphos is constantly called the **Serpent of Light**, with some suggesting that it was a beautiful serpent, white as snow, possessing legs and angelic wings, with golden feathers. Virgo mentions that the reason behind the belief is that Sophia in Gnosticism is constantly referred to as an indescribably beautiful goddess, often being represented as being naked, while Yaldabaoth is often treated as an ugly and disgusting creature.

The serpent is constantly equated with a female figure, something that in Christianity has a negative aspect, placing the woman as the culprit for human suffering, while in Gnosticism, the serpent was sent by Sophia to free humanity from its prison. Due to this, it can be said that Ophiomorphos is a female snake.

## Powers and Abilities

**Archon Physiology:** Ophiomorphos with this ability either is or can transform into an archon, mystical celestial beings that are known in Gnostic theology as the several servants of the "creator god", the Demiurge. Archons are also the beings that act as mediums between the human race and their creator which could only be obtained through gnosis. Archons are a species of inorganic beings that emerged in the solar system prior to the formation of the earth. Depending on the source, they can be either angelic, demonic or both.

**New God:** As an archetype, the New Gods are simply a temporary state of being for *all* newer gods/goddesses/divine entities/divine spirits who are being born/come into being after the old gods who ruled before them are either willingly giving up their divine positions, being forcefully removed, or even being killed for the newer gods to take over. In other instances old gods can become "revamped" or "remade" into newer versions of themselves depending on the mortal worship of them and perceptions. Newer gods will also bring newer and/or more refined concepts/embodiments/sources with them for the benefit of the future, however as time moves forward in modern paths, technologies and mindsets change throughout the times, the newer gods will eventually become old gods themselves if they are unable to stay relevant and successfully adapt through these times.

**Old God:** As an archetype, the Old Gods who are also known as Elder Gods or Old Ones who are the first and sometimes second of gods/goddesses/divine entities/cosmic beings in existence, depending on mythos; the gods who came before the newer generation of Gods in most mythologies. In Greco-Roman mythology they actually had two generations of elder gods that ruled; first came the Protogenoi and then the Titans who replaced the Protogenoi until the Olympians came along to primarily replace both types of elder gods, becoming the finale generational rulers of their time.

**Patron Deity:** As an archetype, Patron deities are "deities/gods/goddesses/spirits" who personally protect, assist and/or look after those people who believe, have faith, pray to, and worship the deity in question. Patron gods influence also extends to the cities, villages and overall areas of those who are devoted to them. This is an archetype that all divine beings can be, if they chose who to reward those in need and their devotees with blessings, favors and gifts, like granting people supernatural items or divine powers, or even granting them aid from other supernatural entities. Sometimes, the gods may ask for more then their followers can give, and if their demands/wants aren't met they may take their blessings and aid back until they are done.

## History

After Yaldabaoth was done creating matter, he created Ophiomorphos as an evil spirit made to serve his creator. The Aeon Sophia saw the ample opportunity to fix her mistake and went to the serpent, teaching it of its creators wrong doings and of the true supreme God above. Ophiomorphos then went to its fellow creations, Pigeradamas and Parthenos, and gave them the knowledge it had recieved. With the knowledge all three of them had received, they turned away from their former ruler, and their ruler didn't take this lightly. He tossed the serpent alongside his siblings out of the Chaoverse, what he referred to as "Paradise".

While its siblings were unable to survive outside of their universe, Ophiomorphos was able to. It came to the other universes of Multiverse Alpha and taught them of the story of the Aeons and Archons in the late first century CE. This is what eventually came to form the religious systems of Gnosticism.