This occult symbol was created by John Dee and described in the Monas
Hieroglyphica, or Hieroglyphic Monad, in 1564. The symbol is intended to
represent the reality of the monad, a singular entity from which all material
things are said to derive.
The image here includes graph lines to illustrate the specific
proportions described by Dee in which writings.
Summary of the Hieroglyphic Monad
Dee summarized his description of the glyph as such: "The Sun and
the Moon of this Monad desire that the Elements in which the tenth proportion
will flower, shall be separated, and this is done by the application of
Fire."
The symbol is constructed from four distinct symbols: the astrological
signs for the moon and the sun, the cross, and the zodiacal sign of Aries the
ram, represented by the two semi-circles at the bottom of the glyph.
Symbol
Sign
Esoteric Golden Dawn
Tradition
Religion
The Sun and Moon
The sun was generally considered the superior heavenly body in 16th
century European astrology, a physical representation of God's divine and
life-giving fire. Dee emphasizes the construction of the sun's symbol: a
circular orbit around a central point that is the earth.
The moon, being of apparently equal size to the sun, also held
particular esteem even though it was both feminine and occupied the lowest
heavenly sphere. The moon, however, is dependent on the sun for it's light, and
its appearance is constantly in flux through its shifting phases.
Finally, Dee turns to the authority of Hermes Trismegistus, mythological
author of the hermetic texts, when he states:
It is therefore clearly confirmed that the whole magistery depends upon
the Sun and the Moon. Thrice Greatest Hermes has repeatedly told us this in
affirming that the Sun is its father and the Moon is its mother: and we know truly
that the red earth (terra lemnia) is nourished by the rays of the Moon and the
Sun which exercise a singular influence upon it.
The Cross
The cross represents a wide number of ideas. Dee explains that it
represents the Ternary (group of three), being two lines and an intersecting
point, which can represent body, mind, and spirit. The union of body and mind
might just as easily be compared to the union of spiritual and physical, or of
male and female, or of any number of other common occult dualities.
The cross also represents the Quaternary (group of four), for it is
composed of four segments. In occult sciences, a group of four very commonly
represents the four elements, and Dee gives considerable attention to this,
describing them as "four straight lines running in four contrary
directions from one common and indivisible point." The lines are not equal
here because while every physical thing is composed of varying quantities of
elements
Combining the Ternary and the Quaternary, you get a Septenary (group of
seven). Groups of seven were of particular import to Dee and he used them
often. Seven is the number of the planetary spheres, which were of central
importance to any astrologer.
Finally, Dee, considers the Quaternary to be "an abridged or
reduced form of the Decad," (group of 10), noting that 1+2+3+4=10 and that
the Romans used a cross (specifically, an X) to represent the number 10.
The Sign of Aries
Each of the twelve zodiacal figures is traditionally associated with one
of the four elements. Aries' element is fire (as is that of Leo and
Sagittarius). Fire is the element of change, creation, and action, seen to
bring about transformation in other things.
It may also be of note here that the stories of the Bible primarily
occur during the Age of Aries, stretching roughly from the time of Abraham to
the time of Jesus. (We currently are on the border between the ages of Pisces
and Aquarius, with different astrological methods determining exact years
somewhat differently)
Astrological Similarities
Dee also notes that these four symbols, and parts of these four symbols,
are the only symbols used to construct the astrological glyphs used to
represent the other five planets (besides the sun and moon).
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