Geometrical And Other Symbols.

doctrine of the Soul , in abstract contemplation and divine absorption , becoming " the all-pervading undivided Brahma , as the face only remains , when the looleing-glase in which it was reflected has been removed . " * As the N symbols on the Scottish sculptures and

on the Ariarthan and Amyntasian coins are paralleled b y the N symbols of the mason-marks and of the monumental and medallion-like compound mark also engraved in the Arehcelogia ; so the star and crescent , or sun and moon , of the monumental mark are paralleled ba symbolamong the Scottish sculptures

y , , which consists of the crescent or moon , crossed bg an open angle , somewhat as the Ereemasonic square is symbolically crossed by the open compasses ; and as if the angle crossing the crescent were intended to denote the rays of a sun , and therefore took the place of the sun or " day star ; " suggesting also the

accordance of the elongated two-angled N symbol of the Scottish sculp tures , and indeed of all the N symbols , and the interlacement of angles and of triangles , such as the hexalpha , as well , with both sun and moon conjoined in one . The cruciform mallet , maul , or hammer , suggests the hammer of

Thor , or " the holy maul , " by means of which , like the conjunction of serpents by Mercury ' s rod , marriage conjunctions were said to be consecrated or effected , —perhaps as Mars and Venus were linked together by the hammer of Vulcan ; the marriage , of coursebeing still significant of the conjunction of

, two principles , a masculine and a feminine , a bridegroom and a bride , as are the various modes , including the N , of conjoining the A and the V , such , for example , as the following : —

and many others , all of them among the masonmarks in the Arehcelogia . It is notable that the fourth symbol , reversed , and surmounted by the sphere and cross , forms part of the' arms of the City of London . The diamond-shaped symbol , with its lower angle shaded or dark , and the upper one light , appears

among Ereemasonic symbols , representing the pavement no which the temple as an emblem stands . The y \ is a curious symbol , not only used by the Freemasons and'by the Buddhistsas

alreadmen-, y tioned , but also repeatedly sculptured on certain slabs found on the site of ancient Carthage , and of which Mr . Godwin give drawings , engraved in the Archeslogia . Sometimes this symbol has one end open and the other closed ; and often one end is obviously and purposely made smaller than the other . Were there

space to go into such minutiae I beliye that reasons could be given for some of these and other peculiarities in Masonic symbols ; such as the twist or obliquity intentionally given to many of them ; the N , for example ; which more generally slopes , or falls to

one side , than stands upright , or " on the square ;" which , however , it sometimes does , as on the Ariarathan coins , and on the monumental mark given by Mr . Godwin in the Arehcelogia . As to the / y ( form , I may note that this symbol has since been found at Canterbury , where it appears with the angles enclosed

as triangles , thus / 0 \ ; and hence , not only suggestive of the distinct recognition of the two separate and similar angles of the St . Andrew ' s cross and the lama , or \/ , as indeed the open-angled form itself

and the - ^ - seen by Mr . Godwin at Canterbury are ; but also closely analagous to the hexalpha ;

though not precisely that ; since the point or apex of each triangle in the hexalpha extends beyond the base line of the associated angle . The open angled figure , more or less varied , as in the acuteness of the angles , also appears at Canterbury Cathedral , as on many other edifices .

Having already said a good deal on the subject of open agles , in various forms , let us now see , —thus coming a little closer to the hexalphan climax , —what has been further said of symbolical triangles , which

we thus observe to be sometimes alternately or coordinately used instead of the open angles . And here , though we are much beholden to the Freemasons , as before , for what is knowoi or believed as to the meanings or interpretations given of all such symbols as those I am treating of ; nevertheless , I

must confess that I have much less faith in the interpretations or explanations of the modern Freemasons than in their traditional forms , expressions , and symbols themselves . We will also find , I think , that the interpretations are neither very consistent nor very satisfactory . Still , we are bound to give these

interpretations along with others , and especially since much more , it would appear , is to be found regarding both the symbols and their explanations among the Ereemasons than anywhere else . The triangle , according to Gadicke , quoted hy the Rev . Dr . Oliver , in his Dictionary of Symbolical Masonrv , is

A geometrical figure which every Freemason knows ; and he must , in particular , study that triangle which has three equal sides , or which is called an equal-sided , triangle . The ancient Egyptian priests expressed the origin of all things by the triangle ; and , when they afterwards wished to describe the Godhead in its various attributes , they also adopted the triangle . The kind ,

good , gracious , and merciful God they delineate dby the water triangle , V ; and the just and angry God by the fire triangle A- The triangle , considered as a geometrical figure , is composed of three things , which , united , form one whole ; viz ., of three particular points and angles , by the union of which the triangle itself is formed , as one whole or complete figure . It is for this

reason that its has been adopted as the symbol of the triune God . If we unite \ / with a / \ wehaveasix-