Trimorphic Protennoia

⏱ 1 min read Updated Jun 5, 2026
Quick Answer

Trimorphic Protennoia (meaning "Three-formed First Thought") is a Sethian Gnostic text in which the divine First Thought — a feminine figure equivalent to Barbelo — speaks in three descents into the world, each time bringing a higher form of revelation to humanity.

Full article coming soon — this page is currently being developed. Check back soon for the complete guide.

Quick Facts

  • Found in Nag Hammadi Codex XIII
  • The divine speaker descends three times: as Father/Voice, as Mother/Speech, and as Son/Word
  • Scholars note close parallels with the Prologue of the Gospel of John (John 1:1–18)
  • May represent either a Gnostic source used by John, or a Gnostic reinterpretation of John's Prologue

Related Pages