"It is a remarkable fact that this spirit (_i. e._, the Holy Spirit) has been symbolized among all religious and civilized nations by the _Dove_."[357:6]
And Earnest De Bunsen says:
"The symbol of the Spirit of G.o.d was the _Dove_, in Greek, _peleia_, and the Samaritans had a brazen fiery dove, instead of the brazen fiery serpent. Both referred to fire, the symbol of the Holy Ghost."[357:7]
Buddha is represented, like Christ Jesus, with a dove hovering over his head.[357:8]
The virgin G.o.ddess Juno is often represented with a dove on her head. It is also seen on the heads of the images of Astarte, Cybele, and Isis; it was sacred to Venus, and was intended as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.[357:9]
Even in the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean, a _bird_ is believed to be an emblem of the Holy Spirit.[357:10]
R. Payne Knight, in speaking of the "mystic Dove," says:
"A bird was probably chosen for the emblem of the third person (_i. e._, the Holy Ghost) to signify incubation, by which was figuratively expressed the fructification of inert matter, caused by the vital spirit moving upon the waters.
"The _Dove_ would naturally be selected in the East in preference to every other species of bird, on account of its domestic familiarity with man; it usually lodging under the same roof with him, and being employed as his messenger from one remote place to another. Birds of this kind were also remarkable for the care of their offspring, and for a sort of conjugal attachment and fidelity to each other, as likewise for the peculiar fervency of their s.e.xual desires, whence they were sacred to Venus, and emblems of love."[358:1]
Masons" marks are conspicuous among the Christian symbols. On some of the most ancient Roman Catholic cathedrals are to be found figures of Christ Jesus with Mason"s marks about him.
Many are the so-called Christian symbols which are direct importations from paganism. To enumerate them would take, as we have previously said, a volume of itself. For further information on this subject the reader is referred to Dr. Inman"s "Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism," where he will see how many ancient Indian, Egyptian, Etruscan, Grecian and Roman symbols have been adopted by Christians, a great number of which are _Phallic_ emblems.[358:2]
FOOTNOTES:
[339:1] The Pentateuch Examined, vol. vi. p. 113.
[340:1] Monumental Christianity, p. 14.
[340:2] Baring-Gould: Curious Myths, p. 301. Higgins: Anac., vol. i. p.
220.
[340:3] Curious Myths, p. 301.
[340:4] Ibid. p. 302.
[340:5] Maurice: Indian Antiquities, vol. ii. p. 350.
[340:6] Ibid. vol. iii. p. 47.
[340:7] Curious Myths, pp. 280-282. Buddha and Early Buddhism, pp. 7, 9, and 22, and Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 223.
[340:8] Buddha and Early Buddhism, p. 227.
[340:9] Inman: Ancient Faiths, vol. i. p. 409. Higgins: Anac., vol. i.
p. 230.
[341:1] See Ibid.
[341:2] See Celtic Druids, p. 126; Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 217, and Bonwick"s Egyptian Belief, pp. 216, 217 and 219.
[341:3] Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 217.
[341:4] Knight: Anct. Art and Mytho., p. 58.
[341:5] See Inman"s "Symbolism," and Lundy"s Monu. Christianity, Fig.
92.
[341:6] Baring-Gould: Curious Myths, p. 285.
[341:7] Hoskins" Visit to the great Oasis, pl. xii. in Curious Myths, p.
286.
[341:8] Curious Myths, p. 286.
[342:1] Curious Myths, p. 287.
[342:2] Socrates: Eccl. Hist., lib. v. ch. xvii.
[342:3] Quoted by Rev. Dr. Giles: Hebrew and Christian Records, vol. ii.
p. 86, and Rev. Robert Taylor: Diegesis, p. 202.
[342:4] See Colenso"s Pentateuch Examined, vol. vi. p. 115.
[342:5] Bonwick: Egyptian Belief, p. 12.
[342:6] Ibid. p. 219.
[343:1] Bonwick: Egyptian Belief, p. 218, and Smith"s Chaldean Account of Genesis, p. 54.
[343:2] Egyptian Belief, p. 218.
[343:3] Bonomi: Ninevah and Its Palaces, in Curious Myths, p. 287.
[343:4] Curious Myths, p. 287.
[343:5] Vol. i. p. 337, pl. xx.
[343:6] Travels in Persia, vol. i. p. 545, pl. xxi.
[343:7] Ibid. p. 529, and pl. xvi
[343:8] Ibid., and pl. xvii.
[343:9] Ibid. pl. xxvii.
[343:10] Ibid. p. 573.
[344:1] Curious Myths, p. 290.