Asherah Unveiled

[Tamrin]

[Tamrin]

ASHERAH UNVEILED
Continental Masonic Illustration

Frontispiece to L'Univers Maçonnique, Revue Générale des Progres et Acquisitions de l'Esprit Humain,
Dans Toutes les Branches des Connaissances Maçonniques, Historie. - Littérature. - Poésie. -
Biographie et Bibliographie, Mis sous les auspices de tous les amis de la Maçonnerie,
Avec L'Autorisation Spéciale du Grand-Orient de France, Par Une Societé de Francs-Maçons
Dirigé par César Moreau de Marseille. A Paris, Au Bureau Principal, Chez Lemoine, Libraire,
Place Vendome, No. 24. 5837 -- ère vulg.'. 1857. Imprimerie de A. Belin, Rue Sainte-Anne, 55.

Frontispiece to The Masonic Universe, General Revue of the Progress and Acquisitions of the Human Spirit,
In All the Branches of Masonic Knowledge, History, Literature, Poetry, Biography and Bibliography,
under the auspices of the friends of Masonry, With Special Authorization from the Grand Orient of France,
by a Society of Freemasons Directed by César Moreau of Marseilles. At the Head Office in Paris, With
Lemoine, Bookseller, No. 24 Vendome Place, 5837, circa 1857. Printing press of A. Belin, 55 Saint Anne St.

Observations:

• An elaboration of the grieving widow / ‘virgin’ theme;
  
• Unveiling signifies Isis, whom none but initiates may see unveiled* and from whom, the author suggests, Asherah was derived;
  
• Pointing to a pyramid indicates an Egyptian association or origin;
  
• Mirror, symbolizes the ancient motto, ‘Know thy Self’;
  
• Reflected light cast upon the world, (as does the moon), shows the figure to be the ‘Light Bringer’ and ‘Light of the World’;
  
• Seated on a lion, a theophany of Asherah;
  
• Between two broken columns, evokes the ruins of Solomon’s Temple, bearing in mind the Freemasonic context of the illustration;
  
• The figure herself thereby represents the lost or rejected third pillar; revealed by Kronos (time) and Athena (wisdom).

The Veiled Isis

Reference:

* Manly P. Hall, 1988, The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy, The Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles, Op. p.xlv:

The face and form of Isis were covered by a veil of scarlet cloth, symbolic of ignorance and emotionalism standing between man and Truth. Isis lifts her veil and discovers herself to the true and wise investigator who unselfishly and humbly seeks to understand the mysteries which surround him in the universe; and warns Wise Men concerning the mysteries which they have seen: ‘If you know it, be silent.’

[Tamrin]

Similar iconography used to depict Britannia
Aegis (shield), spear (trident) & helmet of Athena (Wisdom),
seated with a lion and M.M.'s red tunic with blue robe
(what is she holding in her left hand?)

[Tamrin]

The Sun Never Sets on the Craft

Frontispiece
Fifth Edition of James Anderson's
Constitutions of the Free Masons
1767

Britannia sits looking serenely over London and the North Sea
with the tools of the Craft and the Arms of the Moderns under her arm.
The picture conveys the idea of a calm and well-established organization that has its place in society

W. Kirk MacNulty, Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance,
Thames & Hudson Ltd., London, 2006, p.106

[Tamrin]

[Tamrin]

The lion theme may be found elsewhere, as in the following illustration, with presumably three "masters" with the goddess Cybele (identified by the chariot drawn by lions).

Le génie du compagnonnage faisant le tour di globe,
print, 19th century, Bibliothèque nationale de France

"The Spirit of Brotherhood Makes the Earth Turn"
shows unity and brotherhood between all men

W. Kirk MacNulty, Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance,
Thames & Hudson Ltd., London, 2006, p.32

(Thanks Bro. Dianne, previously I only had a black & white example)

[Sambrina]

Very beautiful and interesting, I will research this subject more, thank you for opening my eyes to this.

Blessings

Ayshia

[Tamrin]

This illustration shares much of the iconography featured in the subject of this thread.

Artwork by Francois de Troy "Time Unveiling Truth-1733"