The seal or emblem of the Theosophical Society (TS) is derived from the personal seal of Helena P. BLAVATSKY. It consists of the Sanskrit word AUM or Om on top, a swastika enclosed in a circle below it, a snake biting its own tail inside of which is a six pointed star, and an ankh within the star. Around it is the motto “There is No Religion Higher Than Truth,” one that was adopted from the motto of the Maharajah of Benares. Since it is the nature of symbols to elude exact definitions, the following explanations may be taken as applicable to their use in the theosophical seal.

Aum symbolizes the creative deity in nature, the Brahma of the Hindus or the Logos (Word) of the Greeks. In human beings it represents the human trinity (Atma-buddhi-manas).

Over all, OM (or AUM) is the Word, the divine Sound said to have been uttered by the creating entity; it is considered sacred by the Hindus.

Next is the swastika (or Svastika), the fiery cross representing the energies of nature. It indicates two opposite origins, the positive and the negative force and Matter bringing manifested life. According to Scandinavian symbology, the Swastika is the “Hammer of Thor,” the God who beats the flint of space generating sparks which become the worlds.

The serpent swallowing its own tail is the eternal Ananta Sesa; it has neither beginning nor end; its mouth and its tail are united in eternal duration. It contains the universe and its beings. It generates Time, Cycles, all which are sons of Eternity.

The interlaced triangles with one, the darker, pointing down and the other up symbolize the descent of spirit into matter and the eventual evolution of spirit back to its divine origin. It is also known as the Seal of Solomon.

In the center is the ankh or Crux Ansata. This is the ancient Egyptian symbol of life or resurrection. This cross symbolizes consciousness and force-matter, the consciousness which in humanity rules the lower energies, hence the circle at the top. In Egypt, instead of the circle over the cross the reversed hieroglyphic “Ru” was used which means “door” or “entrance.” In India the ansated cross is formed by the necklace of Siva, which conveys the same meaning, but possibly a profounder one.

All of the above symbols are surrounded by the motto of the Theosophical Society, “There is no religion higher than truth.”

P.S.H.

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