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SECRET TEACHINGS - 9. BEMBINE TABLE OF ISIS: Sacred Symbols & Hidden Truths - Manly P. Hall
Published 2 years, 6 months ago
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Chapter 9. THE BEMBINE TABLE OF ISIS: The Sacred Symbols and Hidden Truths.
THE SECRET TEACHINGS OF ALL AGES - An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy: Interpretation of the Secret Teachings concealed within the Rituals, Allegories, and Mysteries of all Ages - By Manly P. Hall (1928) - HQ Full Book.
The Bembine Table of Isis Chapter 9 of The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall delves into the profound mystery of the Bembine Table of Isis, an enigmatic artifact believed to encode the esoteric wisdom of the ancient world. Hall explores its symbolism and connection to sacred philosophy, particularly in the context of Egyptian, Greek, and Chaldean mystical traditions. This chapter presents an intricate examination of how these ancient teachings shaped the doctrines of later esoteric systems, including Platonic thought and the concept of divine triads. The Bembine Table is often considered a key to unlocking the mysteries of initiation, as it is believed to contain allegorical representations of spiritual truths, celestial influences, and the process of divine enlightenment. Manly P. Hall deciphers its significance by drawing from diverse philosophical traditions, linking the artifact to the hidden wisdom of the ages.
Plato's Initiation in the Great Pyramid
Hall opens the discussion by exploring the legendary account of Plato’s initiation into the Egyptian Mysteries. Ancient tradition holds that the Greek philosopher was admitted into the sanctuaries of Egypt, where he studied under the priesthood and was exposed to the sacred knowledge preserved within the Great Pyramid. This initiation, according to Hall, was not merely an intellectual endeavor but a profound transformation—one that involved symbolic death and rebirth, leading to enlightenment. The mysteries revealed within the Great Pyramid likely influenced Plato’s later philosophical works, particularly his concepts of the eternal Forms and the nature of the soul. Hall suggests that Plato’s exposure to Egyptian wisdom provided him with a direct link to the primordial truths that were later disseminated through his dialogues and the teachings of the Academy.
The History of the Bembine Table
In this section, Hall outlines the historical background of the Bembine Table of Isis, describing its discovery and the various interpretations that have been assigned to it over time. The table, also known as the Mensa Isiaca, was first brought to scholarly attention during the Renaissance when it was acquired by Cardinal Bembo, a collector of antiquities. Scholars and mystics alike have debated the origins and purpose of the table, with some suggesting that it represents an Egyptian initiation rite, while others believe it is a later Roman creation influenced by Egyptian symbolism. Hall emphasizes that regardless of its exact provenance, the Bembine Table encapsulates an ancient wisdom tradition that can be traced back to the Egyptian mystery schools. The elaborate iconography of the table features deities, sacred animals, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, all of which serve as keys to understanding its deeper philosophical and mystical meanings. Hall discusses how Renaissance thinkers, particularly those influenced by Hermeticism, sought to decode the Bembine Table as a means of reviving the lost wisdom of antiquity.
Platonic Theory of Ideas
Hall connects the teachings symbolized in the Bembine Table to Plato’s theory of Ideas or Forms. According to Plato, the material world is merely a reflection of a higher, more perfect realm of archetypal realities. This philosophy, deeply influenced by Egyptian metaphysical thought, suggests that true knowledge is attained not through sensory experience but through the contemplation of these eternal Forms. The Bembine Table, with its intricate depictions of gods, symbols, and sacred geometry, serves as
THE SECRET TEACHINGS OF ALL AGES - An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy: Interpretation of the Secret Teachings concealed within the Rituals, Allegories, and Mysteries of all Ages - By Manly P. Hall (1928) - HQ Full Book.
The Bembine Table of Isis Chapter 9 of The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall delves into the profound mystery of the Bembine Table of Isis, an enigmatic artifact believed to encode the esoteric wisdom of the ancient world. Hall explores its symbolism and connection to sacred philosophy, particularly in the context of Egyptian, Greek, and Chaldean mystical traditions. This chapter presents an intricate examination of how these ancient teachings shaped the doctrines of later esoteric systems, including Platonic thought and the concept of divine triads. The Bembine Table is often considered a key to unlocking the mysteries of initiation, as it is believed to contain allegorical representations of spiritual truths, celestial influences, and the process of divine enlightenment. Manly P. Hall deciphers its significance by drawing from diverse philosophical traditions, linking the artifact to the hidden wisdom of the ages.
Plato's Initiation in the Great Pyramid
Hall opens the discussion by exploring the legendary account of Plato’s initiation into the Egyptian Mysteries. Ancient tradition holds that the Greek philosopher was admitted into the sanctuaries of Egypt, where he studied under the priesthood and was exposed to the sacred knowledge preserved within the Great Pyramid. This initiation, according to Hall, was not merely an intellectual endeavor but a profound transformation—one that involved symbolic death and rebirth, leading to enlightenment. The mysteries revealed within the Great Pyramid likely influenced Plato’s later philosophical works, particularly his concepts of the eternal Forms and the nature of the soul. Hall suggests that Plato’s exposure to Egyptian wisdom provided him with a direct link to the primordial truths that were later disseminated through his dialogues and the teachings of the Academy.
The History of the Bembine Table
In this section, Hall outlines the historical background of the Bembine Table of Isis, describing its discovery and the various interpretations that have been assigned to it over time. The table, also known as the Mensa Isiaca, was first brought to scholarly attention during the Renaissance when it was acquired by Cardinal Bembo, a collector of antiquities. Scholars and mystics alike have debated the origins and purpose of the table, with some suggesting that it represents an Egyptian initiation rite, while others believe it is a later Roman creation influenced by Egyptian symbolism. Hall emphasizes that regardless of its exact provenance, the Bembine Table encapsulates an ancient wisdom tradition that can be traced back to the Egyptian mystery schools. The elaborate iconography of the table features deities, sacred animals, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, all of which serve as keys to understanding its deeper philosophical and mystical meanings. Hall discusses how Renaissance thinkers, particularly those influenced by Hermeticism, sought to decode the Bembine Table as a means of reviving the lost wisdom of antiquity.
Platonic Theory of Ideas
Hall connects the teachings symbolized in the Bembine Table to Plato’s theory of Ideas or Forms. According to Plato, the material world is merely a reflection of a higher, more perfect realm of archetypal realities. This philosophy, deeply influenced by Egyptian metaphysical thought, suggests that true knowledge is attained not through sensory experience but through the contemplation of these eternal Forms. The Bembine Table, with its intricate depictions of gods, symbols, and sacred geometry, serves as