The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

106 HISTORY OF INITIATION
in emblematical knowledge; for the morality of the
mysteries was involved in a series of visible symbols, for
the purpose
of directing the enquiries of the uninitiated
into a mistaken channel, and leading them to conclusions
widely distant from the truth. Thus the figure of a hawk
was used to represent the Sun ; a crescent typified the .
Moon ; the omniscience of the deity was symbolized by
an eye placed in the centre of an endless serpent; an
obligated aspirant by a grasshopper ; knowledge by an
ant ; impossibility by two naked feet walking on the sea. 55
The dove was a conspicuous symbol, and had been introduced
with great propriety,
for this bird was the diluvian
messenger of peace, and hovered over the retreating
waters like a celestial harbinger of safety. Hence a
lunette floating on the surface of the ocean, attended by
a dove, 56 with an olive branch in its mouth, and encircled
by a rainbow, formed a striking and expressive symbol,
which needs no explanation. 57
After these and other
had been worn during initiation were accounted sacred, and able to
protect the wearer in every emergency. It was even commanded that
" the initiated should dedicate the garments in which they were initia-
ted at the temple of Ceres." (Artetoph. Schol. in Plut.) These invaluable
reli-cs were therefore used by the fortunate possessor until
they were resolved to rags ; and afterwards children were invested
with the tattered remnants, as undoubted preservatives from the
malign effect of all diseases to which their tender age is by nature
exposed. It was also accounted lucky to collect remnants of the
sacrifices, which were denominated vyeiai, because they were thought
conducive to health. The emblem of vyeiai Health, amongst the
Pythagoreans was a triple triangle, because being alternately conjoined
within itself, it constitutes a figure of five lines, ^ (Lucian pro. laps.
in sal. admiss. apud Stanley, Lives, vol. iii., p. 62.) In India, the
Saivas use this figure to signify emblematically, Savi uniting in himself
the three great attributes. (Asiat. Res., vol. viii., p. 77.)
55 Hence the incident of Christ walking on the sea is a striking proof
of his divinity; (Matt, xiv., 25,) for what is impossible with man, is
possible with God ; (Mark x, 27.) and Job says that God alone treadeth
on the waves of the sea. (Job ix., 8.)
66 The white dove was much esteemed by the Jews, and held in
sacVed reverence, because they believed that Noah's dove was of that
colour.
67 From the circumstance of the patriarch reaching out his hand to
seize the dove, and bring it into the ark before the waters had subsided,
(Gen. viii., 9.) the Greeks invented many fictions, which subsequently
became established principles in their system of mythology. The
fable of Ixion bore this reference. He is said to have attempted to
deflower Juno, but embraced in her stead, a cloud, for which offence