Isis unveiled, Volume 2 (of 2), Theology : $b A master-key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theologyBlavatsky, H. P. (Helena Petrovna)
Religion
Isis unveiled, Volume 2 (of 2), Theology : $b A master-key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theology
Blavatsky, H. P. (Helena Petrovna)
Theosophy
For a companion to the idol of the poor _contadini_ of Barri, go
to the rich city of Rio Janeiro. In the Church of the Duomo del
Candelaria, in a long hall running along one side of the church,
there might be seen, a few years ago, another Madonna. Along the
walls of the hall there is a line of saints, each standing on a
contribution-box, which thus forms a fit pedestal. In the centre
of this line, under a gorgeously rich canopy of blue silk, is
exhibited the Virgin Mary leaning on the arm of Christ. “Our Lady” is
arrayed in a very _décolleté_ blue satin dress with short sleeves,
showing, to great advantage, a snow-white, exquisitely-moulded
neck, shoulders, and arms. The skirt equally of blue satin with
an overskirt of rich lace and gauze puffs, is as short as that of
a ballet-dancer; hardly reaching the knee, it exhibits a pair of
finely-shaped legs covered with flesh colored silk tights, and blue
satin French boots with very high red heels! The blonde hair of this
“Mother of God” is arranged in the latest fashion, with a voluminous
_chignon_ and curls. As she leans on her Son’s arm, her face is
lovingly turned toward her Only-Begotten, whose dress and attitude
are equally worthy of admiration. Christ wears an evening dress-coat,
with swallow-tail, black trousers, and low cut white vest; varnished
boots, and white kid gloves, _over one of which_ sparkles a rich
diamond ring, worth many thousands we must suppose--a precious
Brazilian jewel. Above this body of a modern Portuguese dandy, is a
head with the hair parted in the middle; a sad and solemn face, and
eyes whose patient look seems to reflect all the bitterness of this
last insult flung at the majesty of the Crucified.[13]
The Egyptian Isis was also represented as a Virgin Mother by her
devotees, and as holding her infant son, Horus, in her arms. In some
statues and _basso-relievos_, when she appears alone she is either
completely nude or veiled from head to foot. But in the Mysteries,
in common with nearly every other goddess, she is entirely veiled
from head to foot, as a symbol of a mother’s chastity. It would
not do us any harm were we to borrow from the ancients some of the
poetic sentiment in their religions, and the innate veneration they
entertained for _their_ symbols.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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