"Hindoo and other writers often tell us that the lotus originated the idea of the triangle, which is 'the first of perfect figures, for two lines are an imperfection,' and the lotus also gives us a circle on a triangle which is full of cells and seed, and so is more perfect still. Siva is, as Orientals know, '_the god of the triangle_,' and hence, in his palace in _Kailasa_ we are told the most precious object 'on his table of nine precious stones is the padma (lotus), carrying in its bosom the triangle, as origin and source of all things;' and that from 'this triangle issues the Lingam, the eternal god who makes in it his eternal dwelling;' which, however, is not quite correct on the part of M. Guigniant, whom Mr. Barlow quotes. The lotus is an inverted triangle, and is therefore the female sign; the pyramid or triangle on base is Siva, or the _Ray of Light_, the sun-god. "Another reason why the lotus is in all lands so sacred is its androgynous or hermaphrodite character, a feature imperative in the case of all the great gods of man, though this is not very clear if we dive deeply below the surface, either in the case of the Jewish Elohim or the lotus. Brahma, the creator, whilst sitting on the lotus, as all great gods do, desired, says the 'Hindoo Inspired Word,' to create the universe, and for this purpose, became androgynous, or a breathing-spirit (Ruach?)--prakriti or nature; when creation at once commenced and progressed, much as we have it in the genesis of most faiths. The details of this mystic plant have much exercised all Asiatic and Egyptian minds. In its circular stamina it shows two equilateral triangles placed across each other, which Sanskritists call the _shristi-chakra_, also sixteen petals called the _shoodasa_; and this, it is held, is a revelation from the deity as to the proper age for the representative woman or prakriti, in the Sakti ceremonies. These triangles, with apex upwards and downwards, are _the chapel_ or magic diagram which the pious are told to ponder over, for it has many significations and possesses numerous spells; and hence we see it venerated in all early ages, and still an important article of Freemasonry. The spells go by the name of the _devi-chakrams_, or godesses of circles, no doubt having a solar signification.