Texts>Ancient Pagan Symbols

The Flame symbol rising from the centre of a moon crescent which we first see in the diagram of the elements will be encountered again and again. Its shape changes slightly, it is known under various names, but whether the flame rests in the moon crescent or in the lotus it typifies the union of the dualistic forces that create life, the "jewel" indicating the masculine principle and the lotus or moon crescent the feminine, while the bursting seed pods symbolise fecundity.

The Lotus as an attribute of Osiris, who was the Egyptian God of the Resurrection, or the Sun at night had a three-fold significance symbolising the Sun, the resurrection and creative force and power. The Lotus is given to Isis in her character of goddess of fecundity.

In the Christian religion the Lotus becomes the Lily of the Virgin, and is given to certain saints to e'mphasise the purity of their lives.

The ancients who did nothing in a meaningless way, and in all their art expressions testified to their profound worship of Life made elaborate use of the leaves, buds and flowers of the lotus as decorative motifs. The capitals on the majority of the Egyptian columns represented a lotus flower with the upper part cut off.

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