THE HERMETIC ROSE CROSS

The intricate symbol above is called the alchemical and
hermetic Rose Cross, and is a very old mystical symbol. It is composed of two Rosy crosses united into one: the small Rosy cross at the center -representative of man, the microcosm - is in turn, the center point of a larger rose residing at the heart of the large cross - symbolic of the
macrocosm. Upon the four ends of the large cross are inscribed the three alchemical symbols: mercury, sulphur, and salt. At the top of the cross,mercury is placed in the center, sulphur on the left, and salt on the right. Upon the other ends of the cross the symbols have been inscribed
in such an order as to conform to the esoteric tradition.
Also upon each arm, adjacent to the alchemical symbols, is the symbol of the pentagram. This five-pointed figure is a symbolic representation of the Rosy Cross itself: the victory of the quintessence over the four alchemical elements. The wheel at the top of each pentagram represents
the quintessence; the small triangle on the left, with the point downward and a line parallel to the base, symbolizes earth; the triangle above, with a line parallel to the base but with the point upward, represents air; the upper triangle on the right of pentagram, with thepoint downward, symbolizes water; the lower small triangle on the right, with the point upward, represents fire. On the lower arm of the figure, below the large rose, is a hexagram - symbol of the macrocosm - composed of two interlaced triangles. At its points are inscribed the six planets, according to the ancient
astrological tradition: at the bottom is the Moon, at its right is Venus, followed in turn by Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury. At thecenter of the hexagram is the Sun. The order of arrangement of these symbols conforms to certain Cabalistic rituals. The lower end of the longest arm is divided into four sections by two diagonal lines. These sections are colored according to the four colors of Malkuth of the Cabalistic "Tree of Life." the four sets of three rays
which extend outward from the center of the large cross symbolize the Divine light. The letters inscribed upon each large center-ray combineinto I N R I, which combination, according to the Rosicrucian historian Fr. Wittemans, represents a Latin motto meaning "Nature is completely
renewed by fire." The letters upon the smaller rays represent invocative names of Latin, Egyptian, and Greek origin.
The petals of the large rose on the cross are twenty-two in number, and stand for the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew Cabalistic alphabet. The outer circle of twelve petals represents the twelve single letters of this alphabet, and in particular the twelve signs of the Zodiac. The next circle of seven petals symbolizes the seven double letters - in
particular the seven astrological planets. The innermost circle of three petals represents the three
Mother-letters - air, fire, and water.
At the center of the large rose is the microcosmic rose cross, anunfolded cube with a five-petaled rose at its center. Four barbs emerge from behind this cross, pointing into the  four directions in space.

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The complete symbol or "Encyclopedic" Rose Cross symbolizes all the majesty, power, beauty, and protection of the Rosicrucian Order.

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