-
Articles/Ads
Article COLLECTANEA. ← Page 5 of 5
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Collectanea.
sented ; a figure is marking the door-posts , and the words " Scribe tau" are on the glass . To suppose , as admitted by this writer ( p . 173 ) , that the mark placed by the Israelites on their doors was in the form of a cross , is perhaps too much . Yet , the designer of this emblem seems to have had in view the Latin version of Ezekiel ( c . ix ., vev . 3 , -i ) , and possibly the words of Tertullian , cited above . Hence , with much elegancy , he has alluded to the tau , or cross , as
the sign of life . "Scribe tau , " therefore , is equivalent to " sprinkle blood , " & c . Blood was shed as an atonement , and in blood is physically the life of an animal ; whence the paschal blood was to Israel the sign of life , redemption , and peace . To proceed—tau , the sign of life , ivas represented variously . The crux decussata ( X ) , intromissa ( -j- ) , commissa ( T ) , and ansata ( $ ) , which last is the astronomical symbol of Venus . See Layard's Ninevehvol . ii ., 456 where
, , Hera , the Assyrian Venus , is represented holding a winged tau ansata in her hand . See also the same writer , vol . ii ., p . 213 , note . The tau ansata was also devoted to the younger Horus . In Bryant , vol . ii . p . 398 , Horus is depicted as holding the crux ansata . This figure also was a symbol of Hermes ( $ _ ¦ )—hence termed the Hermetic cross . This Hermes ( not to speak of Hermes Trismegistus ) is identified by Eusebius with 6 ev $ , Qav 6 , Theuth , Thouth , Thoth , Taut , & c , of the
Egyptians . See also Plato ' s Philebus . And Suidas , in verb . The tau ansata , or Hermetic cross , has long been the subject of contemplation and research , respectively to the mystic and the antiquary . Of each the view is abstract , and therefore pure . The concrete is all sensualism . As to the form and application of the tau ansata consult Layard , Denon , & c . In this abstract I enter not into special proofs , yet 1 am prepared to show that the Assyrians , Medians , Persians , Phoenicians , GreeksRomansand even Scandinaviansadopted the tau as an emblem
, , , of some divine person , or sacred mystery . In this form the Scandinavian Thor was fashioned , in connection with the two similar representations . Early in the Christian era , the Temple of Apis , in Egypt was destroyed , and certain cruciform characters on stone were brought to light . Some prediction was brought forward by the Coptic priests , to the effect that when these cruciforms appeared , they would symbolize a pure system , denoting more clearly than of old revivification , or life
to come . These emblems it is said , were claimed both by Christians and Pagans , as symbols of their respective creeds . The former looked forward to the triumph of their faith , the latter to the renewed establishment of their ancient system . —See Socrates , Scholast . Sozom . Ruffin , & c . Lastly . " Before the day of Christ , the tau has been considered predictive ; now it stands a solemn record . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Collectanea.
sented ; a figure is marking the door-posts , and the words " Scribe tau" are on the glass . To suppose , as admitted by this writer ( p . 173 ) , that the mark placed by the Israelites on their doors was in the form of a cross , is perhaps too much . Yet , the designer of this emblem seems to have had in view the Latin version of Ezekiel ( c . ix ., vev . 3 , -i ) , and possibly the words of Tertullian , cited above . Hence , with much elegancy , he has alluded to the tau , or cross , as
the sign of life . "Scribe tau , " therefore , is equivalent to " sprinkle blood , " & c . Blood was shed as an atonement , and in blood is physically the life of an animal ; whence the paschal blood was to Israel the sign of life , redemption , and peace . To proceed—tau , the sign of life , ivas represented variously . The crux decussata ( X ) , intromissa ( -j- ) , commissa ( T ) , and ansata ( $ ) , which last is the astronomical symbol of Venus . See Layard's Ninevehvol . ii ., 456 where
, , Hera , the Assyrian Venus , is represented holding a winged tau ansata in her hand . See also the same writer , vol . ii ., p . 213 , note . The tau ansata was also devoted to the younger Horus . In Bryant , vol . ii . p . 398 , Horus is depicted as holding the crux ansata . This figure also was a symbol of Hermes ( $ _ ¦ )—hence termed the Hermetic cross . This Hermes ( not to speak of Hermes Trismegistus ) is identified by Eusebius with 6 ev $ , Qav 6 , Theuth , Thouth , Thoth , Taut , & c , of the
Egyptians . See also Plato ' s Philebus . And Suidas , in verb . The tau ansata , or Hermetic cross , has long been the subject of contemplation and research , respectively to the mystic and the antiquary . Of each the view is abstract , and therefore pure . The concrete is all sensualism . As to the form and application of the tau ansata consult Layard , Denon , & c . In this abstract I enter not into special proofs , yet 1 am prepared to show that the Assyrians , Medians , Persians , Phoenicians , GreeksRomansand even Scandinaviansadopted the tau as an emblem
, , , of some divine person , or sacred mystery . In this form the Scandinavian Thor was fashioned , in connection with the two similar representations . Early in the Christian era , the Temple of Apis , in Egypt was destroyed , and certain cruciform characters on stone were brought to light . Some prediction was brought forward by the Coptic priests , to the effect that when these cruciforms appeared , they would symbolize a pure system , denoting more clearly than of old revivification , or life
to come . These emblems it is said , were claimed both by Christians and Pagans , as symbols of their respective creeds . The former looked forward to the triumph of their faith , the latter to the renewed establishment of their ancient system . —See Socrates , Scholast . Sozom . Ruffin , & c . Lastly . " Before the day of Christ , the tau has been considered predictive ; now it stands a solemn record . "