The Thunder, Perfect Mind
Encyclopedia
"The Thunder, Perfect Mind" is a poem discovered among the Gnostic manuscripts at Nag Hammadi
in 1945.
Thunder Perfect Mind (the title is, more accurately, The Thunder - Perfect Intellect) takes the form of an extended, riddling monologue
, in which an immanent
saviour speaks a series of paradox
ical statements concerning the divine feminine nature. These paradoxical utterances echo Greek
identity riddles, a common poetic form in the Mediterranean. There are some translations to the right from the same section of the poem. Line numbering is different in different translations.
As to dating, Anne McGuire writes: "Thunder, Perfect Mind exists only in the Coptic version found at Nag Hammadi (NHC VI,2:13,1-21,32). The author, date, and place of composition are unknown, but a cultural milieu like that of second- or third-century Alexandria is plausible. In any case, it is clear that the text was originally composed in Greek well before 350 C.E., the approximate date of the Coptic manuscript."
The work as a whole takes the form of a poem in parallel strophes, and the author, it may be surmised, has drawn on a tradition of such poems in both Egypt
ian and Jewish communities, in which a similarly female divinity (Isis
and Sophia respectively) expounds her virtues unto an attentive audience, and exhorts them to strive to attain her. Examples of the genre abound in Old Testament
literature.
The riddles of the poem may presuppose a classical Gnostic myth, such as the one found in the Reality of the Rulers, or in the Secret Book of John.
The original language of the poem was Greek, though only a Coptic
version survives in the Nag Hammadi library
; the manuscript resides in the Cairo
Coptic museum.
as epigraphs to her novels Jazz and Paradise. Umberto Eco
includes a portion of it in the introduction to chapter 50 of Foucault's Pendulum
; and Larry Lawson and Levi Lee use about a dozen lines in their play Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)
.
A 2005 film by Jordan Scott
(the daughter of Ridley Scott
) depicts Canadian model Daria Werbowy
moving through various urban scenes (such as a nightclub, the back of a taxi, and around Potsdamer Platz
in Berlin
), while a recitation from the poem is read in as a form of narrative commentary. A shortened version of the film was used in a Prada
advertisement with Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy
, to promote the launch of the fashion house's first perfume.
An April 17, 1998 episode titled "Anamnesis" from the second season of the Millennium TV series
dealt with Mary Magdalene
and quoted some of "Thunder Perfect Mind".
The poem has been used as inspiration for an album by the apocalyptic folk band Current 93
and industrial music
band Nurse With Wound
. Excerpts from the text are spoken in the song "I Am" by the band Tulku
on the album A Universe to Come.
The avant-garde metal band Aarni
has a song titled The Thunder, Perfect Mindfuck, which takes its name from the poem.
The avant-garde metal band Lux Occulta
has a song titled Mother Pandora, which takes its verses from the poem.
Nag Hammâdi
Nag Hammadi , is a city in Upper Egypt. Nag Hammadi was known as Chenoboskion in classical antiquity, meaning "geese grazing grounds". It is located on the west bank of the Nile in the Qena Governorate, about 80 kilometres north-west of Luxor....
in 1945.
Thunder Perfect Mind (the title is, more accurately, The Thunder - Perfect Intellect) takes the form of an extended, riddling monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
, in which an immanent
Immanence
Immanence refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of divine presence, in which the divine is seen to be manifested in or encompassing of the material world. It is often contrasted with theories of transcendence, in which the divine is seen to be outside the material world...
saviour speaks a series of paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
ical statements concerning the divine feminine nature. These paradoxical utterances echo Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
identity riddles, a common poetic form in the Mediterranean. There are some translations to the right from the same section of the poem. Line numbering is different in different translations.
As to dating, Anne McGuire writes: "Thunder, Perfect Mind exists only in the Coptic version found at Nag Hammadi (NHC VI,2:13,1-21,32). The author, date, and place of composition are unknown, but a cultural milieu like that of second- or third-century Alexandria is plausible. In any case, it is clear that the text was originally composed in Greek well before 350 C.E., the approximate date of the Coptic manuscript."
The work as a whole takes the form of a poem in parallel strophes, and the author, it may be surmised, has drawn on a tradition of such poems in both Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian and Jewish communities, in which a similarly female divinity (Isis
Isis
Isis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
and Sophia respectively) expounds her virtues unto an attentive audience, and exhorts them to strive to attain her. Examples of the genre abound in Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
literature.
The riddles of the poem may presuppose a classical Gnostic myth, such as the one found in the Reality of the Rulers, or in the Secret Book of John.
The original language of the poem was Greek, though only a Coptic
Coptic language
Coptic or Coptic Egyptian is the current stage of the Egyptian language, a northern Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Egypt until at least the 17th century. Egyptian began to be written using the Greek alphabet in the 1st century...
version survives in the Nag Hammadi library
Nag Hammadi library
The Nag Hammadi library is a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts discovered near the Upper Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi in 1945. That year, twelve leather-bound papyrus codices buried in a sealed jar were found by a local peasant named Mohammed Ali Samman...
; the manuscript resides in the Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
Coptic museum.
In contemporary culture
Though the poem is a recent addition to our literature, it has already had an effect on contemporary culture. Excerpts from the poem were used by Toni MorrisonToni Morrison
Toni Morrison is a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved...
as epigraphs to her novels Jazz and Paradise. Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco Knight Grand Cross is an Italian semiotician, essayist, philosopher, literary critic, and novelist, best known for his novel The Name of the Rose , an intellectual mystery combining semiotics in fiction, biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory...
includes a portion of it in the introduction to chapter 50 of Foucault's Pendulum
Foucault's Pendulum
Foucault's Pendulum is a novel by Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco. It was first published in 1988; the translation into English by William Weaver appeared a year later....
; and Larry Lawson and Levi Lee use about a dozen lines in their play Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)
Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati)
Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends is a comedy by Larry Larson and Levi Lee, first performed in 1981 at the Nexus Theatre in Atlanta Georgia. In 1986 it was performed at the Humana Festival at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville in 1986 and subsequently published by Dramatists Play...
.
A 2005 film by Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott is a British photographer, filmmaker and actress. She is the daughter of director Ridley Scott and advertising executive Sandy Watson. She is the niece of director Tony Scott and half-sister of directors Luke and Jake Scott....
(the daughter of Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
) depicts Canadian model Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy is a Ukrainian Canadian model. She is perhaps best known as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand Lancôme.-Personal life:...
moving through various urban scenes (such as a nightclub, the back of a taxi, and around Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz is an important public square and traffic intersection in the centre of Berlin, Germany, lying about one kilometre south of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag , and close to the southeast corner of the Tiergarten park...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
), while a recitation from the poem is read in as a form of narrative commentary. A shortened version of the film was used in a Prada
Prada
Prada S.p.A. is an Italian fashion label specializing in luxury goods for men and women , founded by Mario Prada.-Foundations:...
advertisement with Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy
Daria Werbowy is a Ukrainian Canadian model. She is perhaps best known as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand Lancôme.-Personal life:...
, to promote the launch of the fashion house's first perfume.
An April 17, 1998 episode titled "Anamnesis" from the second season of the Millennium TV series
Millennium (TV series)
Millennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files. Millennium aired on the Fox Network from 1996 to 1999. The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, though most episodes were ostensibly set in or around Seattle, Washington...
dealt with Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
and quoted some of "Thunder Perfect Mind".
The poem has been used as inspiration for an album by the apocalyptic folk band Current 93
Current 93
Current 93 is an eclectic British experimental music group, working since the early 1980s in folk-based musical forms. The band was founded in 1982 by David Tibet .-Background:Tibet has been the only constant in the group, though Steven Stapleton has appeared on...
and industrial music
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
band Nurse With Wound
Nurse with Wound
Nurse with Wound is the main recording name for British musician Steven Stapleton. Nurse with Wound was originally a band, formed in 1978 by Stapleton, John Fothergill and Heman Pathak...
. Excerpts from the text are spoken in the song "I Am" by the band Tulku
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
on the album A Universe to Come.
The avant-garde metal band Aarni
Aarni
Aarni has been described as an avant-garde metal band from Finland, which consists primarily of Master Warjomaa and, occasionally, some session musicians...
has a song titled The Thunder, Perfect Mindfuck, which takes its name from the poem.
The avant-garde metal band Lux Occulta
Lux Occulta
Lux Occulta was a Polish avant-garde metal band, founded in late 1994. Their work, also strongly influenced by progressive metal and black metal, commonly incorporates elaborate arrangements often featuring multiple sections and unpredictable time changes.- Biography :The band was started when...
has a song titled Mother Pandora, which takes its verses from the poem.