tions. The next form is the emblem as seen in Egypt, which sometimes. has a horizontal line

closing it.

Half of the oval, with

figure.

the sacred parallelogram, is shown in

Egyptian inscriptions, as in the lower

The oval is again seen in Eastern hieroglyphics, as the Persians have a device which seems to represent not only this figure, but the triangle and

circle. The triangle is one of our In

dian symbols, as shown in the picture

below, with which is a mystic figure

resembling a device of the cross Tau, in which astronomers will recognize the emblematical sign of Aries.

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There are yet other shapes of the triangle found in the rock-inscriptions, or muz-zin-na-bik, of the InThe first device

dian, among which are these two.

appears to combine symbols of the sun, or the head, and the triangle, or the heart. The horizontal line represents the earth;

and it is possible that

the appended circles denote the two gods of the cardinal points, east and west. It might also be a device repre

senting Libra, the figure of the Balances. The second

device resembles the emblem used among the Hindoos for Siva, which is also given in the triangle, page 290, with apex upward. This symbol signifies fire. The triangle inverted is Vishnu's symbol, and signifies water. The cut on the right is a Persian device, from a remarkable stone found among the ruins in the vicinity of the edifice called the Tomb of Daniel, at Iravan, Persia.

In the figure representing a wheel, the eight spokes are significant, as this number is of frequent occurrence in Indian worship.

The wheel is found in Egyptian hieroglyphics, and in the accompanying picture is seen to have the same number of spokes. The second wheel-figure represents the

pedestal of the bronze statue of Athor, the Venus of Egypt.

The appearance of wheels is given to the arms of Vishnu, that god being pictured with four. Each arm is single to the elbow, which forms the hub, from which extend the several spokes, or arms, giving the deity the appearance of being in a cloud of arms. As the Indian said of the moon, "it has a cloud of feet and legs."

The wheel is here figured from Hindoo sculpture, within which are represented the heart-shaped emblems already mentioned. And the next device, resembling that of the Indian yet more, is an emblem

of the Hindoo god, Vishnu. It

is evident that the changeless "round of things," the constant return and passing of the years, the vast cycles of geological and astronomical periods, were represented in this device. The unending and eternal is the wheel, which, seen by the prophet Ezekiel, is recognized as a symbol of the universe.1

The square and parallelogram of the Indian, on the left, are common devices in the Eastern sacred inscriptions. A square of copper was worn on the breast of the chief of Roanoke, in the fifteenth century, at the time of the settlement of Virginia, and was

insignia of royalty.

These two devices are

taken from sculptures in

China. The branches, or

leaves, from the side are similar to those seen in Indian pictography, appended to a circle.

Ancient Chinese coins have the sacred square cut in the centre; a specimen is in the author's possession.

The square and parallelogram are seen frequently in Hindoo sculpture and hieroglyphics.

1 Vide chapter on Winds.

The parallelogram is also found in use among the Egyptians, on their sacred temples and monuments.

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The first and second are on the shrine of Amoun, or Osiris. The opening at the side of the parallelogram is also an Indian device in mound-structure. The astronomer will recognize in the smaller Indian device his emblematical sign of the planet Vesta. And these emblems, seen on ancient Hindoo monuments, will be seen to be the same as the ascending and descending

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nodes, the dragon's head and tail, signs used in astronomy. The second figure is like the device

used by the Indians for a symbol of the sky, as already given in the chapter upon Serpents. The figure on the left is a device used by the Chinese.

The Egyptians have a similar sign, as here seen. Another sign seen in Egyptian hieroglyphics is the following, which

is the figure of the astronomical sign of Libra, the balances, and resembles an em

blem of the sky used in Indian pictography, given in the device at the left.

The reader is already familiar with the serpent-emblem of the Indian. The next cut represents a moundstructure; and that following, a device painted upon a rock, which combines the serpent with the parallelogram

of fire, so showing that the Indian's serpent-divinity may be called the Fiery Serpent, using the term of the He

brews for the Brazen Serpent. The two small illustrations below are reduced from the original, as in fact a large number of the In

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dian symbols have been, for the convenience of the

page. Their resemblance to the Egyptian cerast will be readily seen. The ser

pent is a constant emblem in the East; the

Hindoo gods are sometimes

depicted with them coiled about the neck, and around the

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waist and the arms.

Chrishna is seen lying upon the bodies

of prone serpents, whose heads stretch upwards, and, curving forward, form in line a canopy above the head of the reposing god.

The fourth of these illustrations is of significant resemblance to those of the Indian (on the next page), and

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is intended to represent the coiled serpent, seen in Egyptian inscriptions in this form.

The Persian depicts the serpent in various attitudes,