The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

IN PERSIA. 65
duced from a cave hewn out of a rock. 20 Here the Sun 7
\\as represented by a splendid gem, which, with an in-
occupied a conspicuous situation in
the centre of the roof; the planets were displayed in
order round him, in studs of gold glittering on a ground
supportable lustre, 28
29
of azure the zodiac was ;
richly chased in embossed gold,
in which the constellations Leo, 30 arid Taurus, with a
Sun and Lunette emerging from their back31 in beaten
gold, were peculiarly resplendent. The four ages of the
world were represented by so many globes of gold, silver,
brass, and iron. The whole were decked with gems and
precious stones, and knobs of burnished gold ; and during
the celebration of the mysteries, illuminated by innumerable
lamps which reflected a thousand different colours
and shades of colour, 32 like the enchanting vision of a
celestial palace. 33 In the centre of the cave was a marble
fountain of water, 34
transparent as crystal, to supply the
numerous basons with which the grotto was furnished for
the purpose of ablutions and ceremonial purifications. 85
The cavern thus ornamented, furnished, and disposed,
was an emblem of the widely extended universe, 36
supported
by the three grand Pillars of Eternity, fecundity,
and authority; 37 and the symbols with which it was profusely
adorned referred to every element and principle in
Nature. 38
26 Just. Mart. dial, cum Tryph., p. 296.
27
Porph. de Ant. Nymph., p. 265.
Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. ii., p. 28.
29 The tomb of Osymandyas in Egypt, was surrounded with a broad
circle of beaten gold, three hundred and sixty-five cubits in circum-
ference, to represent the number of days in the year. (Diod. Sic., p. 44.)
30 Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. v., p. 987.
31 The bull and sun were emblematical of the great father or Noah
riding in safety in the Ark ; for Noah was the sun, and the bull was
an acknowledged symbol of the Ark. (Porph. de Ant. Nymph., p.
265.) Hyde (de Rel. vet. Pers.,) says that the Mogul emperors use
this device on their coins. Sometimes, however, Leo is substituted
for Taurus.
!3 Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. v., p. 987.
33
See the Story of the
Entertainments.
Second Calendar in the Arabian Nights
34 Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. v., p. 990.
35
Porph. de Ant. Nymph., p. 263.
36
Ibid., p. 254. 37
Signs and 38
Symbols, Lect. 7.
And let it not be thought that these riches and this refulgent
for the Persians of this
splendour are inconsistent with probability,
age were a magnificent people, and possessed an abundance of wealth,
6