THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

similar girdle. Like the zennaar, or sacred cord of the Brahmins, and
the
white shield of the Scandinavians, it is the analogue of the masonic
apron.
ACACIA, SPRIG OF. No symbol is more interesting to the masonic student
than the sprig of acacia.
It is the _mimosa nilotica_ of Linnaeus, the _shittah_ of the Hebrew
writers, and grows abundantly in Palestine.
It is preeminently the symbol of the immortality of the soul.
It was for this reason planted by the Jews at the head of a grave.
This symbolism is derived from its never-fading character as an
evergreen.
It is also a symbol of innocence, and this symbolism is derived from
the
double meaning of the word [Greek: akakia], which in Greek signifies
the
plant, and innocence; in this point of view Hutchinson has
Christianized
the symbol.
It is, lastly, a symbol of initiation.
This symbolism is derived from the fact that it is the sacred plant of
Masonry; and in all the ancient rites there were sacred plants, which
became in each rite the respective symbol of initiation into its
Mysteries; hence the idea was borrowed by Freemasonry.
ADONIA. The Mysteries of Adonis, principally celebrated in Phoenicia
and
Syria. They lasted for two days, and were commemorative of the death
and
restoration of Adonis. The ceremonies of the first day were funereal in
their character, and consisted in the lamentations of the initiates for
the death of Adonis, whose picture or image was carried in procession.
The
second day was devoted to mirth and joy for the return of Adonis to
life.
In their spirit and their mystical design, these Mysteries bore a very
great resemblance to the third degree of Masonry, and they are quoted
to
show the striking analogy between the ancient and the modern
initiations.
ADONIS. In mythology, the son of Cinyras and Myrrha, who was greatly
beloved by Venus, or Aphrodite. He was slain by a wild boar, and having
descended into the realm of Pluto, Persephone became enamoured of him.
This led to a contest for him between Venus and Persephone, which was
finally settled by his restoration to life upon the condition that he
should spend six months upon earth, and six months in the inferior
regions. In the mythology of the philosophers, Adonis was a symbol of
the