This applied Coptic charm against poisonous snakes includes a Satôr square as well as an Alpha-Leôn square. This combination of the Sator square and the four names of the throne bearers is preserved well into the Islamic Period.
Alpha, Leon, Phone and Aner are the names of the four living creatures worshipping next to the throne of God:
Alpha: Ox (from Hebrew “Aleph”)
Leôn: Lion (Greek)
Phônê: Eagle (Greek = Sound of the voice)
Anêr: Man (Greek)
In Ezekiel 1:14 they are described as carrying the throne of God. They are again mentioned in Revelation 4:6-8.
Revelation 4:6-8
“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like
unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round
about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before
and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast
like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and
the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him;
and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and
night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which
was, and is, and is to come.”
Dating: 6th-7th century
Dimensions: 24.2 x 22.9 cm
Location: P.CtYBR inv. 1792 qua, Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library