Rosicrucian Symbolism

The Symbolism of the Rose-Cross

The basic rose cross symbol is that of a rose appended to the junction of the two lines of the cross - the center point. But the traditional Rosicrucian symbol is a cross of 6 squares whereon is a red rose of five petals. The cross is of 6 squares for a number of reasons. It relates the cross to the number six which is the number of the Tree of rife Sphere to which it corresponds, (See the Tree of Life diagram in the appendix) that is, the Sphere of Tiphareth (Beauty) also known as the Sphere of the Sun. The cross of six squares is also the unfolded cube of six faces. The perfect cube has been used to represent the Holy of Holies since Old Testament times. We know the tabernacle was 10 cubits in length, breadth, and height. The Sanctum Sanctorum of Solomon's Temple likewise was cubically shaped using the measure of 20 cubits. In Revelation (21:17-18) the New Jerusalem is likened to a perfect cube of pure gold. Gold is related to the cube, cross, and Sun sphere for a number of reasons. Gold is the metal associated with the sun. But also Qabalistically, the cube unfolds to a cross of six; this means that the units around the cross (the perimeter) add up to 14. The Hebrew word zahab means gold and the letters of the word add up to 14 (Zain + Heh + Beth or 7 + 5 + 2 = 14). In addition, all these symbols that correspond to six correspond geometrically to the hexagram.

The rose is, as mentioned before, related to the number 5 and the pentagram. It is the flower of Venus, the Goddess of Love. Also as mentioned before, it is a sign of secrecy (Cupid, Venus's son, is sometimes represented holding his finger to his lips as was the Egyptian Harpocrates.) Being the number five, it also is related to the hypotenuse of the 3-4-5 right triangle.

One of the earliest depictions of the rose and cross is in the manuscript titled the Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians (Geheime Figures der Rosenkreuzer aus dem l6en und 17th Jahrhundert), published in 1785. (Again, see appendix) Around the upper part of the cross is written: "This is the Golden and Rosy Cross, made of pure gold, which every Brother wears on his Breast." The Rose-Cross Lamen of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn may be derived from this figure as they have very many common elements as will be seen upon comparison. I have included the Golden Dawn Rose-Cross lamen in the appendix in both black and white and in color (the approximate correct colors). Also given is a front view and the back view. Let us examine the Rose-Cross lamen in some detail.

The lamen is a cross with each arm representing one of the four elements: Fire - red, Water - blue, Air - yellow, and Earth - citrine, olive, black and russet. Each arm is depicted with an upright pentagram crowned with Spirit representing that he who wears this is Master of the Four Worlds. This is confirmed by the glyph of the hexagram surrounded by the planetary symbols with the sign of the sun at the center.

The ending of each arm of the cross is triple with each segment assigned to one of the three alchemical principles: sulphur, salt, and mercury. The three segments upon the four arms allude also to the 12 signs of the zodiac. At the center of the cross is the rose of 22 petals. The rose is divided into 3 petals at the center, 7 petals in the second circle, and 12 in the outer circle. They are depicted in the appropriate Hebrew letters and colors as such: the three so-called Mother Letters in the primary colors (yellow, blue, and red), the 7 double letters in the secondary colors, and the 12 single letters in the chromatic color scale. Of course they also represent the 3 elements (the fourth being an admixture), the 7 planets of the ancients, and the 12 zodiac signs. In the midst of this rose is another rose-cross. Behind this Rose-Cross lamen are rays of white light with the signs of L.V.X. and I.N.R.I. written thereon.

In order to strengthen the connection of this symbol with our Society's aims and teachings it might helpful to go over some of the correspondences and qabalistic allusions. First let us consider that in the Rose-Cross we are looking into the Mysteries of the Pentagram and the Hexagram. The Pentagram is a symbol that relates the 4 Ancients or Elements in a proper perspective to the Spirit. The elements are depicted by the symbol of the fixed signs of the Zodiac which relate to each one. That is the following:

    Fire          Water             Air            Earth
   Leo           Scorpio           Aquarius       Taurus
   Lion          Eagle             Man            Bull
   5th Sign      8th Sign          11th Sign      2nd Sign
   Yod (10)      Heh (5)           Vav (6)        Heh (5)
   Atziluth      Briah             Yetzirah       Assiah

(As an aside: Each side of the Vault is 8 x 5 or 8+5+8+5 = 26 which equals the Unpronounceable Name of God = Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh = 26) The hexagram represents all the cosmic forces because it not only depicts the planets but also the zodiac. But we must also consider that the planets depicted are also symbols of more esoteric doctrines. Some of the correspondences are as follows:

    Planet    Metal    Angel         Chakra         Location
   Mercury   mercury  Raphael       Sahssrara      Pineal gland
   Moon      silver   Gabriel       Ajna           Pituitary body
   Venus     copper   Anael         Vishuddha      Pharyngeal
   Sun       gold     Michael       Anahata        cardiac plexus
   Jupiter   tin      Tzadkiel      manipura       solar plexus
   Mars      iron     Kamael        Svadhisthansa  prostatic
   Saturn    lead     Tsaphkiel     muladhara      sacral plexus

At the end of the arms of the cross we have the alchemical symbols which mean much more than their mundane meanings. Their associations are as follows:

     Mercury            Sulphur            Salt
    Superconscious     Self-conscious     Subconscious
    Kether             Chokmah            Binah
    Sattvaguna         Rasguna            Tamasguna

It should be apparent that great care was taken in the design of this symbol. And it should be clear how this lamen synthesizes the entire First Order teachings as well as embodies that of the whole Rosicrucian Fraternity as well. It contains the Kabalah, numerology, the elements, the pentagram taught in the Zelator degree, the four worlds , the Hebrew Divine Name, the color symbolism found in the Theoricus grade, the alchemy taught in the Practicus grade, and alludes to the esoteric connections of the world religions, ancient philosophies and the deep mysteries of I.N.R.I.