It must, of course, be borne in mind that no one now gives these interpretations to spires, minarets, and to the various monumental symbols of which we have been speaking. We are here dealing exclusively with pre-historic origins, not with present day meanings. The antiquity of certain symbols is truly remarkable. The star and crescent, for example, a well known conventionalized symbol, is found on Assyrian cylinders, doubtless devised many centuries before Christ.
The full force and meaning of these various symbols may be very readily grasped by reference to a number of designs, ancient coins, bas-reliefs, monuments, etc., which have been reproduced in plates and drawings by C. W. King, Thomas Inman, R. P. Knight and others. To these we refer the reader.
(TO BE CONCLUDED)
REFERENCES.[10]
[10] For a number of additional references consult New York Library under Phallicism.
Cox, Rev. G. W.: The Mythology of the Aryan Nations.
Deiterich, A.: Mutter Erde.
Fraser, J. G.: Adonis, Attis and Osiris; Balder, the Beautiful; Psyche's
Task.
Grosse: The Beginnings of Art.
Higgins, Godfrey: The Anacalypsis; Celtic Druids.