The Second Principal

(Title-page to Scripta in Naturali et Universali Philosophia, 1653.)

The Second Principal stands symbolically as the Right-Hand Pillar of Solomon’s Temple (the Temple of Light), signifying wisdom and compassion, and the celestial world of starry light (i.e. souls). His hat is white, with upturned brim, representative of the light and of the right-hand side. Beneath his cloak his right foot is showing.

In his left hand he holds upright an armillary sphere, signifying the celestial globe with its zodiacal path of the sun around the earth—an emblem of wisdom or light. Appropriately, his hand is level with his heart, whilst the armillary sphere is level with his throat.

© Peter Dawkins, FBRT, 1999