The Pythagorean “Y” shows the two paths in which man is led through life. 

The right hand track to sacred Virtue tends,

Though steep and rough at first, in rest it ends;

The other broad and smooth, but from its Crown

On rocks the Traveller is tumbled down.

He who to Virtue by harsh toils aspires,

Subduing pains, worth and renown acquires;

But who seeks slothful luxury, and flies,

The labor of great acts, dishonored dies.”

The above words are attributed to Virgil, but this may be incorrect.

Isidore of Seville had written this about the Pythagorean Y (c.560-636 CE, Etym. I.iii.10-16; tr. in Heninger, Touches 269) :

Pythagoras of Samos was the first to fashion the letter Y into a pattern of human life. The straight portion at the bottom signifies the first, uncertain age, which at that point has been given over to neither vices nor virtues. The bifurcation at the top, however, begins at adolescence. The path to the right is difficult, but it tends toward a blessed life. The path to the left is easier, but it leads to ruin and destruction.

Moe

Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.