What does it mean?
(Puzzle 004)
Secret society symbol?
Click image to enlarge
The image quality is not so sharp, but considering the original scan is only 16mm high, the resolution is pretty good. But what does it mean?
A cross atop an orb is not unusual. It represents royalty; either spiritually or earthly. (See Globus Cruciger)
The cross, we assume, is Christian and its meaning is well known. The orb on this symbol doesn't seem to represent the world but the significance could be the same - whatever it represents, it is taking responsibility for supporting Christianity.
So is this the symbol of a society? A Masonic badge perhaps?
The symbol was spotted in Sweden. Is it local to that part of the world, or is it used internationally?
The picture beneath the cross has three elements that appear to be:
- A man's head wearing a helmet. Is he a custodian or guardian? Usually a sentinel looks outwards to see who/what is approaching but this man is looking inwards. Does the type of helmet indicate a rank? Is this one of a series of symbols where the figure is wearing a helmet, or a crown, or bare-headed, etc?
- He is standing behind battlements. Their relatively small size implies they are there to support the function of the man, rather than being a main feature of the symbol. One of our younger contributors has suggested this represents a castle. Heaven perhaps?
- A double circle encloses the symbol. This may be simply a decorative border with no meaning.
All complete conjecture and none of which helps answer the fundamental question: To which society, if any, does this belong?
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