Ancient Symbolism Illustrated.

the hieroglyphic of agriculture ; while the lion , on the same principle , represented strength and fortitude . A visible action , such as that of flying , was represented by a , pair of extended wings , and that of fighting hy a clenched list , as the natural organ for that purpose belonging to man , pursuing tho same direct line of association , Avhich has formed , the Latin verb pugnarc , to fight , from pugmis , a fist , ancl hence the third or hieroglyphic application of symbols to the use of man . The zodiacal signs are symbols of this character , each cue

THE ZODIACAL SIGNS . marking the twelfth division of that space through Avhich the sun runs his yearly course , and consequently called the

AIUF . S .

twelve houses ofthe sun ; they are of Phoenician or Egyptian origin , and are supposed to resemble the objects they are intended to represent . The ancients commenced their year from the vernal equinox ; the month of March , Avhich they symbolized by a ram or sheepand

, called it Aries ; it A ? as consequently the first figure in their ecliptic or zodiac ; its abbreviated sign is depicted by the horns of that animal . The second month , or April , was depicted by a bull , symbolized by the head and horns

of that animal , ancl designated Taurus . I here give a very curious drawing , taken from a green jasper , explanatory of the application of these two signs or symbols of time ancl events . The ark of Noah is

repre sented by a- boat having the si ° -n of Taurus , or the bull ' s head , on its prow . In Genesis vii . 11 , it is stated that "in the six hundreth year of Noah ' s life , in the second month .

the seventeenth day of the month , the same clay were all the fountains of the great deep broken up , ancl the windows of heaven Avere opened , " consequentl y the ark of Noah floated . At the stern of the boat you perceive tho symbol of the month of March , Aries , or the ram ' s head ; and in Genesis viii . 13 , yon will

Ancient Symbolism Illustrated.

read , " Ancl it came to pass in the six hundredth mid first year , and the first mouth , ( ho first day of the month , the

cuitiois Axcn ' . NT . TAsrr . n . Avaters were dried up from off the earth , ancl Noah removed the covering of the ark ancl looked , and behold tho face of the ground ivas dry . " Thus , while the boat symbolizes the ark , the tAvo zodiacal signs in conjunction ivith it form an hieroglyphic not only allusive to the floodbnt distinctly

, indicating the month in which the ark first floated and that in which it again rested on dry ground . The figures in the boat represent Noah , evidenced by the lotus and the symbol , of his three sons , the triangle . Noah in ancient mythology , as the great regenerator , was constantl y identified Avith the sun , or Osiris , the great regenerator of

animal or vegetable life ; it was known that when the sun ancl moon Avere in conjunction , the moon reflected no light upon the earth , and it Avas supposed at this time the ape , or monkey , lost its sight ; the monkey , therefore , was frequently used as a symbol of the moon . In this drawing the nionkey is represented as asking Osiris , or the sun , for sight . It was

Avell known by the ancients that the planets yielded no li ght but such as they borrowed from the sun . This , therefore , is an astronomical allegory or symbol . Symbols are of various kinds , as words , hieroglyphics , types , parables , fables , numerals , algebraical signs , musical notes , statues , pictures , tombstones , and all sepulchral monuments , tokens of honour , medals , crests , and coats of arms . Indeed , the Avhole science of heraldry is exclusively

symbolical , and of most ancient origin . Homer , Virgil , and Ovid exhibit their heroes Avith divers figures on their shields , Avhereby their persons Avere known . Alexander the Great granted badges or medals of honour ancl forbade , under the most severe penalties , such being worn ivithout his permission , hence the limitations to sovereigns of the power to grant armorial distinctions . AVith all nations from the

earliest ages , figures of animals , or other symbolical signs ha . ve been employed to denote the bearing of their chiefs or tribes to render them more terrible to their enemies , and even to distinguish families as names do individuals . The Egyptians bore an ox , the Athenians an owl , the Goths a bear , the Unmans an eagle , the Normans a lion , ancl the Saxons a horse . From the latter two , namelythe Normans and

, Saxons , arose the supporters of the royal escutcheon of England , the lion and unicorn ; the unicorn being the figure of a horse with the horn as an emblem of sovereignty . And here I will remark that the horn was a general type of early date , and of almost uniA ersal application , it is repeatedly mentioned in Scripture ; David speaks of his horn beingexalted ; Bryant states thatwith every nation of old to

, whose history ive can gain access , it ivas an emblem of affluence and power . It ivas addod b y the Saxons to their horse as a symbol of their sovereignty in this country before the invasion of their Norman conquerors . Idiographic symbols are of two kinds—simple or compound ; the head and horns of the bull as symbolic of the animal , are an example