Fasces

Fasces, a plurale tantum, from the Latin fascis, symbolizes sumary power and jurisdiction, and "strength through unity".

The traditional Roman fasces consisted of a bundle of white birch rods, tied together with a red ribbon into a cylinder, and often with a bronze axe (or sometimes two) amongst the rods, with the blade(s) on the side, projecting from the bundle.

It was used as a attribute of the Roman Republic in many circumstances, including getting carried in processions, the way a flag might be carried today.

Labrys Meaning

Labrys is a term for a doubleheaded axe, accepted to the Classical Greeks as pelekys or sagaris, and to the Romans as a bipennis.

The labrys symbols are found in Minoan, Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. The labrys aswell appears in African religious mythology (see Shango).

The labrys was former a symbol of Greek fascism. Today it is sometimes used as a attribute of Hellenic Neopaganism. As an LGBT attribute it represents lesbianism and matriarchal power.