THE SYMBOLS FROM THE EMBLEM OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

The Emblem of The Theosophical Society is composed of a number of symbols, all of which have been used from ancient times to express profound spiritual and philosophical concepts about man and the universe. They are found in a variety of forms in the great religions of the world and in widely separated cultures.


Each symbol studied separately will yield a wealth of understanding. Taken together as in this emblem  they suggest a vast evolutionary scheme embracing the whole of nature, physical and spiritual, and their study may lead the serious enquirer to contemplate some of the deepest mysteries of existence. 


Partly because of their antiquity and partly because of the difficulty of establishing their origin, the symbols cannot be interpreted with narrow precision . The interpretation here is to be taken as suggestive of the truths they seek to convey rather than as an exact statement of meaning.


The Motto of the Theosophical Society "There is no Religion Higher than Truth" surrounds the Emblem. Truth is the quest of every Theosophist., whatever their faith and every great religion is in some measure an embodiment of that Truth and a way towards its realization. 


The Ankh or Crux Ansata, in the centre of the emblem is the Egyptian symbol of resurrection. It is made up of the Tau or T-shaped cross surmounted by a small circle. It may be seen often held in the hand, in Egyptian statues and in wall and tomb paintings.

The Tau cross symbolises matter in the world of form and the small circle here symbolises spirit or life. The Ankh therefore expresses the triumph of spirit over matter, of life over death, of good over evil. It is the cross of Life, the symbol of Resurrection and immortality.


The Serpent, like the other symbols, has various meanings. It has been associated with Wisdom, more especially with that arcane knowledge which is the highest spiritual wisdom. When, as here the serpent is represented as swallowing its own tail it becomes the symbol of Eternity, without beginning or end.

The Interlaced Triangles, a lighter one pointing upwards and a darker one pointing downwards, symbolises the descent of spirit into matter and its emergence from the confining limits of form. At the same time they suggest the constant interplay between spirit and matter in nature and man.

When as in the emblem, the double triangle is depicted  within the circle  of the Serpent, the whole of manifested nature is represented , the universe bounded by the limitations of time and space. This symbol is known in Judaism as the Seal of Solomon, or Star of David, and in Hinduism as the Seal of Vishnu.

The Fiery Cross is another of the numerous forms in which the cross symbol is found. The fiery cross, with its arms of whirling flame revolving to represent the tremendous energies of nature, incessantly creating and dissolving the forms through which the evolutionary process takes place.


In religions which recognise three aspects of Deity, the fiery cross is associated with the Third Person of the Trinity, who is at once the Creator and the Destroyer - Shiva in Hinduism and the Holy Ghost in Christianity. 

The Aum or Om above the emblem is a word of profound significance which may be said to stand for the creative Word or Logos, the ineffable Reality which is the source of all existence. It is a word of power, to be uttered only with the greatest reverence, and is a sacred Word in Hinduism and Buddhism.

What is given here is only a slight indication of the great range and depth of meaning contained in the emblem of the Society.The study of its symbolism is almost inexhaustible. 

From: Symbols - The Emblem of The
Theosophical Society Explained
Susan Bayliss 2009