Origen: Against Celsus, Books I–VIII

Chapter XXXIII.

Celsus next relates other fables, to the effect that “certain persons return to the shapes of the archontics, ^[1] so that some are called lions, others bulls, others dragons, or eagles, or bears, or dogs.” We found also in the diagram which we possessed, and which Celsus called the “square pattern,” the statements ^[2] made by these unhappy beings concerning the gates of Paradise. The flaming sword was depicted as the diameter of a flaming circle, and as if mounting guard over the tree of knowledge and of life. Celsus, however, either would not or could not repeat the harangues which, according to the fables of these impious individuals, are represented as spoken at each of the gates by those who pass through them; but this we have done in order to show to Celsus and those who read his treatise, that we know the depth of these unhallowed mysteries, ^[3] and that they are far removed from the worship which Christians offer up to God.