Basilides, the head of the Egyptian sect of Gnostics, taught that there were seven outflowings, emanations, or aeons from the Supreme God. These emanations engendered the angels of the highest order, who formed a heaven for their habitation and brought forth other angels of a nature inferior to their own. Over time, other heavens were formed and other angels created, until the total number of angels and their respective heavens amounted to 365, corresponding to the number of days in a year. Over all these, an omnipotent Lord—though inferior to the Supreme God—presided, named Abraxas.

The name “Abraxas” in Greek letters (ΑΒΡΑΞΑΣ) has a numerical value of 365, corresponding to the number of worlds in the Basilidean system and the number of days in the year. The numerical values are as follows: - Α (Alpha) = 1 - Β (Beta) = 2 - Ρ (Rho) = 100 - Α (Alpha) = 1 - Ξ (Xi) = 60 - Α (Alpha) = 1 - Σ (Sigma) = 200

Adding these values: 1 + 2 + 100 + 1 + 60 + 1 + 200 = 365.

Thus, Abraxas symbolized the year or the revolution of the earth around the sun. This mystical reference of a god's name to the annual period was common among the ancients. For instance, among the Persians, the letters of the names Mithras and Belenus also amounted to 365.

The mystical value of the letters of Abraxas made it talismanic or magical. It was frequently inscribed on stones or gems as amulets. Many of these inscriptions have been preserved or discovered and are found in the collections of curiosities.

Various theories about the origin of the word Abraxas include:

- Beausobre: In his *History of Manicheism* (volume 2), he derives it from the Greek, with the meaning of the magnificent Savior, He who heals and preserves. - Bellermann: In his *Essay on the Gems of the Ancients*, he suggested it was compounded of three Coptic words meaning the holy word of bliss. - Pignorius and Vandelin: They believed it was composed of four Hebrew and three Greek letters, whose numerical value is 365, and which are the initials of the phrase: “saving man by wood,” referring to the Cross.