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.
![Charm against snakebite (?), Egypt, Byzantine-Medieval 6th-7th century, 24.2 x 22.9 cm P.CtYBR inv. 1792 qua, Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library](https://www.antikemagie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Yale-P.CtYBR-inv.-1792-qua-Sator_Label.jpg)
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