bythos

Bythos is a term primarily found in Gnostic cosmology, referring to a primordial, unfathomable abyss or depth. It is often depicted as the ultimate, unmanifest source from which all existence emanates. In many Gnostic systems, Bythos is understood as a divine, passive principle, a profound silence or stillness that precedes creation. It is sometimes personified as a divine Aeon or the supreme Father, though this personification can vary.

The concept of Bythos is crucial for understanding the Gnostic worldview. From this abyss, the first divine emanations, known as Aeons, are conceived to arise. These Aeons, in turn, interact and generate further levels of being, eventually leading to the material world. The material world is often seen by Gnostics as a flawed or imperfect creation, a consequence of a disruption or fall within the higher, spiritual realms that originated from Bythos.

Bythos represents the ultimate mystery and the absolute transcendence of the divine. It is beyond human comprehension and cannot be directly known or described, only hinted at through its emanations. The term itself derives from the Greek word for "depth" or "abyss," reflecting its fundamental nature as a boundless and unknowable source. Its interpretation within Gnosticism emphasizes a hierarchical structure of divine existence, with Bythos at the apex of this spiritual hierarchy.