The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World - Judika Illes 2005

Bolline
Tools of Witchcraft

The bolline is a knife used as a cutting tool in Wiccan spell-casting and spiritual rituals. The bolline is traditionally a white-handled knife with a double-edged blade.

An athamé traditionally has a black handle while the bolline’s handle is white. The athamé is the ritual knife; the bolline is the practical knife. Beyond metaphysical and spiritual significance, by colorcoding the handles, the two knives are easily and immediately distinguishable, thus lessening the chances of accidentally desecrating the athamé.

The bolline was originally used to harvest herbs and is believed to derive from the sickle. Older bollines often had a sickle-shaped blade although most modern bollines are standard knives. Among the uses of the bolline are carving and inscribing candles and wax tablets, chopping herbs, and cutting cord, thread or fabric.

See also Athamé.