Ancient pagan and modern Christian symbolism . e * grove of the Assyrian worshippers, and from the manstanding within it as the symbolic pine tree stands in theMesopotamian, ^Asherah, I think we may fairly conclude 79 that the Indian, like, the Shemitic emblem, typifies the unionof the sexes^-the androgyne creator. That some Buddhists have mingled sexuality with theirideas of religion, may be seen in plate ii. of Emil Schlagin-tweits Atlas of BuddJiism in Tibet, wherein Vajarsattva, The God above all, is represented as a male and femaleconjoined. Rays, as of the sun, pass from the group ; anda
Ancient pagan and modern Christian symbolism . e * grove of the Assyrian worshippers, and from the manstanding within it as the symbolic pine tree stands in theMesopotamian, ^Asherah, I think we may fairly conclude 79 that the Indian, like, the Shemitic emblem, typifies the unionof the sexes^-the androgyne creator. That some Buddhists have mingled sexuality with theirideas of religion, may be seen in plate ii. of Emil Schlagin-tweits Atlas of BuddJiism in Tibet, wherein Vajarsattva, The God above all, is represented as a male and femaleconjoined. Rays, as of the sun, pass from the group ; andall are enclosed in an ornate oval, or horse-shoe, like that inthis figure. Few, however, but the initiated would recognisethe nature of the group at first sight. I may also notice, in passing, that the goddess Doljang( 617-98) has the stigmata in her hands and feet, likethose assigned to Jesus of Nazareth and Francis of Assisi. Figure 118 is a copy of the medal issued to pilgrims atthe shrine of the virgin at Loretto. It was lent to me by. Figure 118. Mr. Newton, but the engraver has omitted to make the faceof the mother and child black, as the most ancient andrenowned ones usually are. Instead of the explanation given in Ancient Faiths,Vol. II., p. 262, of the adoption of a black skin for Mary andher son, DHarcanville suggests that it represents night, theperiod during which the feminine creator is most propitiousor attentive to her duties. It is unnecessary to contest the 80 point, for almost every symbol has more interpretationsgiven to it than one. I have sought in vain for even aplausible reason for the blackness of sacred virgins andchildren, in certain papal shrines, which is compatible withdecency and Christianity. It is clear that the matter willnot bear the light. Figure 119 is from Lajard, Op. plate iii., fig. represents the sun, moon, and a star, probably Venus.
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