Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

438 SUBLIME PRINCE OF TilE ROYAL SECRE’~.
U.~. The Black Ox. The Ark and Palm Trees,
Applying these devices to the five degrees, 1 7th, 18th,
19th, 20th and 21st degrees, the Lion and Key would
seem to be appropriate enough to the 21st degree, or
the Grand Master of the Key of Masonry.
The crowned double-headed Eagle, which is the arms
of Prussia, to the 20th degree, or the Noachites or
Prussian Knights.
The Ark of the Covenant, of which the High Priest
had the especial charge, to the 19th degree or Grand
Pontiff and Master ad Vitam.
The inflamed winged heart, emblematical of the sufferings
and glory of the Master from Nazareth, to the
18th degree, or Sovereign Prince of Rose Croix, and the
an Egyptian and Jewish symbol, displayed on one
of the Standards of the four principal tribes to the
17th degree, or Jewish Knights of the East and West.
It is likely that these devices have a still deeper
meaning and a mysterious reference to an ancient religion
and its mysteries, but we have, as to this, ourselves
succeeded in obtaining but a few hints, and we
can therefore communicate no more to you. They will
perhaps, give you the key to the esoteric meaning of
these symbols and you cannot do better than to occupy
your time and eiercise your intellect in discover,n~
that meaning.
The Ancient Persian~’ mysteries were sacred to the
Note 2SS,—”From the statement of this Persian Mason it appear.
that nearly all the members of the Persian Court belong to Ihe mystic
Order, even as German Masonry enjoys the honor of counting the emperor
and crown prince among its adherents The appearance of this Mohammedan
Mason in Berlin seems to have excited a little surprise among
some of the brethren there, and the surprise would he natural enough
to persona not aware of the extent to which Masonry has been diffused
o,er the earth. Account for It as one may. the truth is certain that th”
mysterious Order was established in ihe Orient many ages ago. Neatly
sil of the old Mohammedan buildings in India. anch as tomhs. mosques.
etc., are marked with the Masonic symbols, and many of these structures,
atlil perferct, were huilt in the time of the Mogul Km ror Akhar. who
died in 1605. Thus Masonry must have been intrc,duceA”into india freEs
Middle,. Asia by the Mohammedans hundreds at years ago.’‘—Maskay’s
Zaoyoiopaedi& of Freemasonry, Article Pexela.
INITIATION. 439
God, Mithrasm “Deo Soli Invtc~o Mttkrao” to the sun
god Mithras the Invincible, also called the Mediator,
the fertilizer of deserts, the slayer of the dragon, and
of evil spirits. He was worshipped among the Ethiopians
and Egyptians in Greece, after the time of Pompey
at Rome. He is represented in the sculptures as a
young man mounted on the Equinoctial Bull, and
plunging into its flank a sword, whose hilt terminated
at the upper end in two heads of an Eagle or a Hawk.
He is represented as at the mouth of a cavern, with a
figure on each side bearing a lighted torch. He is accompanied
by Eorosch, the Celestial Raren, and the dying
bull is consoled by Taschtar, the dog-star, the harbinger
of his resurrection. The bull was regarded as a
symbol of the power that produces vegetation and life.
He makes, the Zendavesta said, “the grass to grow abundantly
and gives all fruitfulness to the earth.” Hence
the motto of the standard on which he figures “Omnta
Ternpus Altt.” So in Egypt, Mnevis, the black Ox of
Heliopolis, was dedicated to Osiris and they worshipped
a black Bull, which they called Onuphis.
The lion, the sign of the Summer Solstice, and
domicile of the Sun was the symbol of that orb. The
figures in the mithriac monuments, and the second degree
of the Prussian mysteries was called the degree of
the Lion. The initiates were called Eagles, Hawks and
Ravens. In a very curious Roman marble, the drawing
Note 8S.—”Mithzsa, Mysteries of. There are untie at the Ancient
Mysteries which afford a more interesting subject of Investigation to
the Masonic scholar than those of the Persian god Mithras. Instituted,
as it is supposed, by Zeradushi or Zoroaster. as an initiation Into the
principles ~f ihe religion which he had founded among the ancient
Persia na. they In lime extended into Europe, and iasted so long that
traces of them have heen found in the fourth century. ‘with their
penances,’ says Mr. King (Onoetics, p. 47.). ‘and tests of the courage
of the candidate for admission, they have been maintained by a con.
stant tradition through the secret societies of the Middle Ages and the
Bosicrucians down to the modern faint reflex of the latter—the Free.
masons.’‘—Mackeys Rnq’clopaedia of lreemaaonry. Article Mlthzae.
V~’stagIse of.