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Article ON SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM, Page 1 of 18 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Symbols And Symbolism,
ON SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM ,
MOKE ESPECIALLY ON THOSE OF THE MOST ANCIENT ANB HONOUEABLE ORDER OF FEEE AND ACCEPTED MASONS . " Every mode of religion , to make a deep impression on the human mind , must exercise our obedience by enjoining practices for whieh we can assign no reason , and must acquire our esteem by inculcating moral duties analogous to the doctrines of our own hearts . The religion of Zoroaster was abundantly provided with the former , and possessed a sufficient portion ofthe latter . "—GIBBON , Decline and Fall , eh . viii .
OF all the senses the eye offers by far the easiest and most satisfactory access to the understanding . Pictorial representations of objects are therefore the most agreeable and the most efficient to impress objects on the memory , and to fix them in the mind . Even incorporate or supernatural ideas will best engage the attention when represented to the observer by some
figure haiing a real , or fancied , or conventional resemblance to it . A pictured open eye may be weR supposed to stand for watchfulness or care ; the open hand portrays the liberal mind ; the serpent is conventionally esteemed subtle , and therefore typifies cunning ; the dove is its antitype , to signify innocence . This is one of the principal reasons for the use of symbols , though there is a second cause why they so generally obtain in
Masonry , wdiich will be hereafter touched on . Before , hoivever , entering on the discussion of any subject of cmiosity or interest , it is useful ancl necessary to have a clearidea of its nature , ancl of the meaning of the terms used . The word symbol is composed of two Greek ones , aw JS OXXE . V , which literally mean a placing together tAvo things for contrast
or juxtaposition . The next process of our reasoning faculty is the identifying one of these two objects thus collated by the other , lvhence in the onward progress of ratiocination the notion of representation only , pure and simple , follows ; more especially of things occult by those familiar , of ideas by sensible objects , or , in fact , pictorial metaphors by which the original thought is rendered more clear or more attractive .
Of the first description of symbolism the following may serve as a modern instance . In Germany , before any operative is allowed to set up for himself in business as master , particularly in the handicrafts , he is required to give proof of ability in his art . For lock or gun smiths the test is usually to make tivo
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Symbols And Symbolism,
ON SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM ,
MOKE ESPECIALLY ON THOSE OF THE MOST ANCIENT ANB HONOUEABLE ORDER OF FEEE AND ACCEPTED MASONS . " Every mode of religion , to make a deep impression on the human mind , must exercise our obedience by enjoining practices for whieh we can assign no reason , and must acquire our esteem by inculcating moral duties analogous to the doctrines of our own hearts . The religion of Zoroaster was abundantly provided with the former , and possessed a sufficient portion ofthe latter . "—GIBBON , Decline and Fall , eh . viii .
OF all the senses the eye offers by far the easiest and most satisfactory access to the understanding . Pictorial representations of objects are therefore the most agreeable and the most efficient to impress objects on the memory , and to fix them in the mind . Even incorporate or supernatural ideas will best engage the attention when represented to the observer by some
figure haiing a real , or fancied , or conventional resemblance to it . A pictured open eye may be weR supposed to stand for watchfulness or care ; the open hand portrays the liberal mind ; the serpent is conventionally esteemed subtle , and therefore typifies cunning ; the dove is its antitype , to signify innocence . This is one of the principal reasons for the use of symbols , though there is a second cause why they so generally obtain in
Masonry , wdiich will be hereafter touched on . Before , hoivever , entering on the discussion of any subject of cmiosity or interest , it is useful ancl necessary to have a clearidea of its nature , ancl of the meaning of the terms used . The word symbol is composed of two Greek ones , aw JS OXXE . V , which literally mean a placing together tAvo things for contrast
or juxtaposition . The next process of our reasoning faculty is the identifying one of these two objects thus collated by the other , lvhence in the onward progress of ratiocination the notion of representation only , pure and simple , follows ; more especially of things occult by those familiar , of ideas by sensible objects , or , in fact , pictorial metaphors by which the original thought is rendered more clear or more attractive .
Of the first description of symbolism the following may serve as a modern instance . In Germany , before any operative is allowed to set up for himself in business as master , particularly in the handicrafts , he is required to give proof of ability in his art . For lock or gun smiths the test is usually to make tivo