Ancient Symbolism. Illustrated.

ANCIENT SYMBOLISM . ILLUSTRATED .

IJONDOX , SATURDAY , APRIL 21 , 18150 .

TiV BIIO . 1 SOBE 1 U' MAim . X , V . B . C . S ., PAST D . i'ROV . CVRMfD MASTER OP SUFFOLK ; AM ) J' . E . COM . 01 ' KSIBHTS MMPDAK , ETC . THK POINT WITHIN" A CIRCLE . A CIRCLE is a figure formed by a point which revolves in a plane surface and which always preserves the same distance from another given point , which , being fixed within the circle

thus formed , is the centre from which all the radii drawn , to the curve are equal . And thus mathematically the point within a circle is the component part of the figure , and stands in exactly the same relation to the circle as the nave does to a wheel , Mystically , and as represented in our Lodges especially , the figure is a composite oneand in order to treat

, of it methodically we must divide it into its elementary parts ; first , considering its two parallel lines or supports ; next the circle ; and then the point which it contains . Our anoient brethren were in the habit of describing the two parallel lines , and the moderns employ them as symbols in reference to the summer and winter solsticeof which the

, figure is an astronomical symbol ; bub research into mythological history proves that , although no objection can exist to onr receiving the parallels with such signification , they formed a part of the composite emblem long before the date which such interpretation can justify . I have I trust already sufficiently proved that the

generative attribute has formed a part of the divine triad of every nation ; but in those countries in which the system of polytheism is more extensive , this attribute is separately deified . Leaving those who may feel disposed to doubt the nature of the first breach of God ' s commandments—whether it was , as related in the Septuagintthe eating of the

for-, bidden fruit of that tree which was planted in the middle of the Garden of Eden , or the indulgence of concupiscence , as insisted on by our Bro . O'Brien—it is by all admitted that sin was committed and that punishment resulted . But the mercy of Jehovah ordained that the seed of the woman

should bruise the tempter ' s head ; thus decreeing that , as woman was instrumental to the fall , so she should also be to the redemption of mankind , through Shiloh , her seed ( the literal translation of Shiloh is " seed" ) . Through the degeneracy of man the type was soon substituted for the thing typified , and pinning their faith ( says O'Brien ) to the literal

fulfilment of these terms of promise—that the female should be the unaided author of a being whose healing effects could restore to men their forfeited inheritance—the thought was engendered in some that in the general procreative scheme the female generative attribute , or Yoni as it was designated , was to be the vivifier or regenerator ; while another class

, the Tuathdanians or Lingajas , considering the unaided productions of Yoni or the female , as a deviation from natural law , tidcqrfed the emblem of masculine energy as the symbol of their doctrine . Thus , while deadly feud existed between these parties the essentials of their religious opinions remained the same—regeneration through the seed of woman .

Consequently , strange as it may appear , each sect of believers coznmenced by erecting these symbols as emblematical of their faith , and in . process of time actually worshipped them as the representatives of Deity . From this substitution , of the symbol for the thing symbolizedI freely confess I am disposed to render a more liberal

, reading to the ninth chapter of Genesis , and to view the indignation and curse expressed by the patriarch , Noah , against his son Ham , more as directed against an attempt to renew a species of idolatry offensive to the Most High ( whoso mercies in saving him and his family from the horrors of the deluge were fresh in his grateful remembrance ) thaD as a

, denunciation of indecency or of folly on the part of Ham . In this , as in many other passages which are somewhat obscure , tlie light of philosophic consideration developes a meaning which the careless reader does not observe , The conduct

Ancient Symbolism. Illustrated.

of Ham is easily understood if we picture to ourselves that patriarch , under the influence of superstition , endeavouring to restore the pagan rites which he had practised before the deluge ; on the other hand the account of the Mosaic writer , accepted in its literal sense , would record an act of puerility as unmeaning as unaccountable . It is clearly established that

Ham and his descendants , viewing the promise already alluded to in a carnal rather than a spiritual sense , adopted as the standard of their faith the ancient phallic symbol ; and , as I have already sufficiently proved , Ham was frequently worshipped as Jupiter , and in the ancient mythologies are to be traced numerous phallic symbols of his divinity .

Ill the ancient language of Iran , or Persia , the sun , as the source of generative vegetation , is expressed by the word Buddh . In this language ( says O'Brien ) Baal , masculine , means the sun ; while Baal , feminine , means the moon , from both of which the Hindoos derive their fabulous ori gin , ( Hindooin Sanscrit languagemeans the moon ) . The high

, , place of Baal ( Numbers , xxii . 41 ) , is translated by the Septuagint , SnjXjj rov BaaX , or pillar of Baal ; thus the worshippers of Isis and Osiris ( the sun and the moon ) as the symbols of male and female rein-oduction , were identicall y one and the same with the worshippers of the Lingani and of the Yoni .

To the former sect or Buddhists belonged the sons of Ham , one of whom , Nimrod , whose name is derived from Ifemph , heaven , and Rodh , an assault , built the tower of Babel , in honour of the sun , as a symbol of regeneration , with reference to the promise . Magdil is the name by which the scriptural records perpetuate this structure ( Gen . if . 4 ); if you jiut this

word into English letters and read them regularly from left to rig ht it will be Lidgam . The Hebrews read in the opposite direction from right to left , which occasions a necessity for the admission of the letter d into the word , for as Magnil read backwards would produce a cacophony , the n of the original was left out , and d substituted , making Magdil ;

reinstate therefore the n , and enumerate the Hebrew word as you would the Iran or Sanscrit , and yon have the word lingam , or pillar of Boodh , and thus prevent all further controversy on the character of the tower of Babel . We read that this tower was round , and that it was ascended by a spiral viaduct which wound round it like a serpent , an

evident allusion to the serpent tempter . This st yle of architecture became very general in Egypt , and the Egyptian pillars are frequently represented as spiral . The two beautiful pillars cast by Hiram and placed in the porch of King Solomon ' s temple were thus formed and their ornaments of lily-work and pomegranates were further symbols of fructification .

Thus as we trace the same misconception , giving rise alike to the worship of the generative attribute as Buddh , symbolized as a p illar or column , and the sun , as the grand regenerating power—we can easily understand why among the ancient monuments ' , we so frequently see these two symbols united , namely the figure of the sun radiated , and placed on a pillar

or column . Regardless of the original import of this union , of the Sabsean and phallic symbol , this monumental structure was imported into this country and retained for its elegant and ornamental character , long after its inhabitants had been enlightened by Christian , revelation . We have a familiar instance of this species of monumental architecture in

Wolverstone Park , where a building of this kind called the Obelisk perpetuates the memory of the late possessor of the soil , and forms a p icturesque object and -useful landmark on the banks of the Orwell . The sons of Shem and of Japhet espoused the o ] 3 posito sectJaphet derived his name from Thithwhich ( according

, , to O'Brien ) signifies " consecrated to Pith" or the Yoni , and his son ' s name was Ja van , which means " consecrated to woman . " The descendants of Sheni . peopled Hindostan , the derivation of which has been , already given , and will establish their sect ; consequently we perceive that the symbol of the moon ,