1162 – The Complete Rose Cross Lamen

Physical description:

Golden Dawn Rosy Cross pendant - multi-coloured and incorporating pentacles, Hebrew letters and other symbolism. Latin inscription on back. On yellow ribbon.

Museum classification:

Ritual Magic

Size:

120 x 100 x 1 mm

Information:

The Complete Rose Cross Lamen.  Made according to the design of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and published by Israel Regardie and Aleister Crowley.

The Latin on the back is the motto of the Golden Dawn member.  Each adept took a name in Latin when they joined the Golden Dawn.  They were always referred to by this motto.  

The picture below is from a book (in the Museum library: An Account of the Teachings, Rites, & Ceremonies of the Order of the Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie 135.4REG, Book No: 316) belonging to the Museum’s founder, Cecil Williamson.  He obviously studied the cross carefully, making notes around it and colouring it in with care.  What follows is a brief explanation of its symbolism, a full understanding of it is something member of the Golden Dawn aspired to.

Three sections at the end of each arm of the Cross: the symbols of salt, mercury and sulphur appear.  These are the Three Alchemical Principles.  Cecil has labelled them on the yellow section of the cross.

The Four arms of the Cross:  The four ends of the cross are the four elements, the white is the spirit.  The Cross is not solely a Christian symbol.  It represents unity, balance and sacrifice.

Pentacles: on each of the elemental arms of the cross is a pentacle, the symbol of the microcosm with the symbol of spirit (a wheel) and the other elements around it (these are mostly signs of the Zodiac).

Letters in the rays around the arms of the Cross: the rays of divine light, letters and symbols relate to analysis of the key word INRI.

Hexagram: in the white portion of the cross is a six sided star with the sun at the centre and symbols of the planets and moon surrounding it.

The Petals on the rose at the centre of the cross: 22 petals for the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the 22 paths on the Tree of Life.

Cross at the centre: “...it represents the blazing light of the Fire of the Sun bringing into being the green vegetation of the otherwise barren Earth.  And also the self sacrifice requisite in one who would essay to initiate into the Sacred Mysteries…” Israel Regardie 

 

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Painted metal

The Complete Rose Cross Lamen.  Made according to the design of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and published by Israel Regardie and Aleister Crowley.

The Latin on the back is the motto of the Golden Dawn member.  Each adept took a name in Latin when they joined the Golden Dawn.  They were always referred to by this motto.  

The picture below is from a book (in the Museum library: An Account of the Teachings, Rites, & Ceremonies of the Order of the Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie 135.4REG, Book No: 316) belonging to the Museum’s founder, Cecil Williamson.  He obviously studied the cross carefully, making notes around it and colouring it in with care.  What follows is a brief explanation of its symbolism, a full understanding of it is something member of the Golden Dawn aspired to.

Three sections at the end of each arm of the Cross: the symbols of salt, mercury and sulphur appear.  These are the Three Alchemical Principles.  Cecil has labelled them on the yellow section of the cross.

The Four arms of the Cross:  The four ends of the cross are the four elements, the white is the spirit.  The Cross is not solely a Christian symbol.  It represents unity, balance and sacrifice.

Pentacles: on each of the elemental arms of the cross is a pentacle, the symbol of the microcosm with the symbol of spirit (a wheel) and the other elements around it (these are mostly signs of the Zodiac).

Letters in the rays around the arms of the Cross: the rays of divine light, letters and symbols relate to analysis of the key word INRI.

Hexagram: in the white portion of the cross is a six sided star with the sun at the centre and symbols of the planets and moon surrounding it.

The Petals on the rose at the centre of the cross: 22 petals for the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the 22 paths on the Tree of Life.

Cross at the centre: “...it represents the blazing light of the Fire of the Sun bringing into being the green vegetation of the otherwise barren Earth.  And also the self sacrifice requisite in one who would essay to initiate into the Sacred Mysteries…” Israel Regardie