Who are the Archons in Gnosticism?

The Archons: Cosmic Rulers and Jailers in Gnostic Cosmology

The Archons are a pivotal and highly subversive concept in Gnosticism, an ancient spiritual tradition that radically reinterpreted the nature of the cosmos. Far from being benevolent servants of God, the Archons are portrayed as tyrannical cosmic rulers and jailers of the soul, whose purpose is to govern the flawed material world and prevent human beings from achieving spiritual liberation.

Origins and Place in Gnostic Cosmology
The word Archon derives from the Greek archoˉn, meaning "ruler" or "authority." Gnostics adapted this term to describe supernatural entities who are the agents of a false god: the Demiurge.
The Flawed Creation: Gnostics believed the material universe was not created by the supreme, transcendent God (the Monad), who resides in the perfect spiritual realm called the Pleroma. Instead, the world was created by the Demiurge (often named Yaldabaoth or Saklas)—a lesser, ignorant deity born from an error committed by the divine emanation Sophia (Wisdom).
Servants of Ignorance: The Archons are the Demiurge's offspring and servants, created out of his own flawed, arrogant nature. Their rule is based on ignorance, deception, and control, rather than divine insight or love. They embody the dark, chaotic forces intrinsically tied to the material and psychic realms.

The Role of the Archons: Cosmic Jailers
The Archons' function is multifaceted and critical to the Gnostic understanding of human entrapment:
Rulers of the Cosmos: They are associated with the celestial spheres—especially the seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn)—and sometimes the twelve zodiacal signs. Each Archon rules its sphere, forming a hierarchy that imposes the physical laws and cycles of fate upon the material world.
Imposers of False Law: Archons are responsible for dictating binding, strict moral and religious laws (often identified with the laws of the Old Testament), which Gnostics viewed as a form of spiritual enslavement designed to distract humanity from its true, divine origin.
Gatekeepers of the Soul: After death, the soul must ascend back toward the Pleroma. The Archons stand guard at their respective planetary spheres, acting as cosmic toll collectors or wardens. If the soul lacks the necessary gnosis (secret knowledge), the Archons will block, trick, or re-imprison the soul, forcing it back into reincarnation within the material world.