The 'labrys', a double-headed axe, was also known in ancient Greece as a 'pelekys'. The symbol was often found during the Bronze Age archaeological recovery at the Palace of Knossos on Crete.

It is known to have a strong religious significance, for specific use by Minoan priestesses. Of all the Minoan religious symbols, the labrys was the holiest. To find such an axe in the hands of a Minoan woman would suggest that she held a powerful position within matriarchal Minoan culture.

The labrys today is a symbol of feminist strength, women power and, of course, of the kinship of lesbian women around the world.

Gold originals, upon which this piece is based, were found in a sanctuary in the cave of Arkalochori in Crete and date to before 1600 BC.

Read more about the significance of the Labrys in Minoan Crete in Insights on It's All Greek's archived WordPress site.