Liber Emblematum Artis Regiae

Emblems & Aphorisms of the Royal Art

A collection of aphorisms and Latin phrases of the Royal Art

• Emblems & Aphorisms of the Royal Art
• I. Royalty & Sovereignty
• II. The Grail Quest & Chivalric Orders
• III. The Rose Cross
• IV. The Hermetic-Alchemical Art
• V. The Mysteries & Initiation
• VI. Astrology & the Celestial Art
• VII. The Templar Holy Knight
• VIII. Sacred Law & Divine Order
• IX. Love, Beauty & the Venusian Path
• X. Scripture, Prayer & the Sacred Word
• XI. Wisdom, Lore & the Way of Study
• XII. The Temple & the Craft
• XIII. Death, Resurrection & the Phoenix
• XIV. The Gnostic Flame
• XV. Kabbalah & the Hebrew Mysteries
• XVI. The Exiled Prince, Fall & Return
• XVII. Vanitas, Death, and the Passing World
• XVIII. Spiritual Warfare, Courage, and Victory
• XIX. Virtue, Honor, and Nobility
• XX. Divine Kingship, Christ, and Sacred Victory
• XXI. Wisdom, Understanding, and Philosophy
• XXII. Order, Cosmos, and the One
• XXIII. Alchemy, Transformation, and the Great Work
• XXIV. Love, Friendship, and Charity
• XXV. Fate, Desire, Wine, and the Forbidden
• XXVI. Sovereignty, Leadership, and Readiness
• XXVII. Dragon, Treasure, and the Hidden Quest
• XXVIII. Writing, Art, Poetry, and the Opus
• XXIX. Frontispiece: Five Latin Proverbs
• Appendix: Possible Names for the Emblem Book
• New To Sort

I. Royalty & Sovereignty

1. Rex est imago Dei → The king is the image of God
2. Corona est onus, non ornamentum → The crown is a burden, not an ornament
3. Rex servus servorum Dei → The king is servant of the servants of God
4. Imperare sibi regnum est → To rule oneself is kingship — Seneca
5. Rex iustus fundamentum regni → The just king is the foundation of the kingdom
6. Non regit, qui non corrigit → He does not rule who does not correct
7. Virtus regis populi salus → The virtue of the king is the salvation of the people
8. Rex aurum non quaerit, sed lucem → The king seeks not gold, but light
9. Sceptrum tenet qui se ipsum regit → He holds the scepter who governs himself
10. Cor regis in manu Dei → The heart of the king is in the hand of God — Proverbs 21:1
11. Maiestas vera est humilitas → True majesty is humility
12. Rex occultus regit mundum → The hidden king rules the world
13. Corona datur, non capitur → The crown is given, not taken
14. Sine lege, rex est tyrannus → Without law, a king is a tyrant
15. Solaris rex, lumen mundi → The Solar King, light of the world
16. Regnum Dei intra vos est → The Kingdom of God is within you — Luke 17:21
17. Rex non moritur → The king does not die
18. Regnare est servire → To reign is to serve
19. Qui se exaltat humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat exaltabitur → He who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted — Luke 14:11
20. Nemo rex nisi Deo auctore → No one is king except by God's authority
21. Princeps est lex animata → The prince is the living law — Byzantine maxim
22. Thronus regis fundamentum justitiae → The throne of the king is founded on justice
23. A Deo rex, a rege lex → From God the king, from the king the law

II. The Grail Quest & Chivalric Orders

1. Rex quondam rexque futurus → The king who was and will be
2. Terra et rex unum sunt → The land and the king are one
3. Cui servit Graal? → To whom does the Grail serve?
4. In Calice Vita Aeterna → In the Chalice, eternal life
5. Sanguis Christi, Lux Mundi → The Blood of Christ, Light of the World
6. Calix Cordis → The Cup of the Heart
7. Cibus Angelorum, Potus Dei → Food of Angels, Drink of God
8. Custos Graalis → Keeper of the Grail
9. Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo da Gloriam → Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory — Psalm 115:1; the Templar psalm.
10. In Hoc Signo Vinces → In this sign, you will conquer
11. Militia Christi → Soldiery of Christ
12. Per Fidem et Gladium → By Faith and Sword
13. Custos Templi, Servus Dei → Guardian of the Temple, Servant of God
14. In servitio invenitur regnum → In service is found the kingdom
15. Non sibi, sed Deo et Regi → Not for self, but for God and King
16. Custos Veritatis → Guardian of the Truth
17. Per ardua ad astra → Through adversity to the stars
18. Fides et honor → Faith and honor
19. Per arma ad astra → Through arms to the stars
20. Fides et Fortitudo → Faith and Fortitude
21. Ad gloriam per crucem → To glory through the Cross
22. Adveniat regnum tuum → Thy Kingdom come
23. Custodes lucis et tenebrarum → Keepers of the light and the shadows
24. Quis ut Deus? → Who is like unto God? — War-cry of Archangel Michael.
25. Deus Vult → God wills it — Battle cry of the First Crusade.
26. Pauper commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici Hierosolymitanis → Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon of Jerusalem — Full name of the Knights Templar.
27. Sigillum Militum Xristi → Seal of the Soldiers of Christ
28. Vincit qui se vincit → He conquers who conquers himself
29. Virtute et armis → By courage and by arms
30. De Laude Novae Militiae → In Praise of the New Knighthood — Title of St. Bernard of Clairvaux's treatise on the Templars.
31. Miles et monachus in uno → Soldier and monk in one
32. Custos Terrae Sanctae → Guardian of the Holy Land
33. Beauséant! → War-cry of the Knights Templar; also the name of their black-and-white battle banner.
34. Obsequium Christi → Obedience to Christ
35. Hierosolymae liberandae causa → For the cause of liberating Jerusalem

III. The Rose Cross

1. Sub Rosa Silentium → Under the Rose, Silence
2. Ex Deo Nascimur, In Jesu Morimur, Per Spiritum Sanctum Reviviscimus → From God we are born, in Jesus we die, through the Holy Spirit we are reborn
3. Rosae Crucis Frater Ignotus → Unknown Brother of the Rose Cross
4. Veritas Temporis Filia → Truth is the daughter of Time
5. Temporibus Revelabitur → It shall be revealed in its time
6. Laborare et Contemplari → To work and to contemplate
7. Ad Gloriam Dei et Salutem Hominum → To the Glory of God and the Healing of Mankind
8. Non pro fama, sed pro veritate → Not for fame, but for truth
9. Scientia Sacra, Amor Occultus → Sacred Knowledge, Hidden Love
10. Via Interior, Lux Aeterna → The inward path, the eternal light
11. Ars sine arte, scientia sine scientia, lux sine lumine → An art without art, a knowledge without knowledge, a light without light
12. Qui vocatus non est, videat et taceat → He who is not called, let him see and be silent
13. In Arcana Dei Ingressus Est → He has entered into the secrets of God
14. In Cruce Rosea Floret Silentium → In the Rose Cross, Silence blossoms
15. Veritas et Caritas in Cruce → Truth and Love in the Cross
16. Crux Mihi Salus, Rosa Mihi Flos → The Cross my salvation, the Rose my flower
17. Sub Rosa Crucis, in Arcano → Beneath the Rose of the Cross, in secrecy
18. Lux e Tenebris → Light out of darkness
19. "Under the shadow of thy wings, Jehovah."
20. Dat Rosa Mel Apibus → The Rose gives honey to the bees — Rosicrucian motto.
21. Post CXX annos patebo → After 120 years I shall open — Inscription on the Vault of Christian Rosenkreuz; Fama Fraternitatis.
22. Nequaquam vacuum → Nowhere a void — Inscription in the Vault of the Adepts.
23. Legis jugum → The yoke of the Law — Inscription in the Vault of the Adepts.
24. Libertas Evangelii → Liberty of the Gospel — Inscription in the Vault of the Adepts.
25. Dei gloria intacta → The glory of God inviolate — Inscription in the Vault of the Adepts.
26. Jesus mihi omnia → Jesus is everything to me — From the Fama Fraternitatis.
27. Per Rosam ad Crucem, per Crucem ad Rosam → Through the Rose to the Cross, through the Cross to the Rose
28. Igne Nitrum Roris Invenitur → By fire the nitre of the dew is found — Rosicrucian esoteric reading of I.N.R.I.
29. Benedictus Dominus Deus noster qui dedit nobis signum → Blessed be the Lord our God who has given us the sign — Rosicrucian invocation.
30. Frater Rosae Crucis, Frater Lucis → Brother of the Rose Cross, Brother of Light
31. Lux in extensione → Light in extension — Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

IV. The Hermetic-Alchemical Art

“Ars Regia et Scientia Divina”

1. Ars Regia → The Royal Art
2. Solve et Coagula → Dissolve and bind
3. Sicut superius, ita inferius → As above, so below
4. In stercore invenitur → It is found in dung
5. Natura activa laetatur natura passiva → The active nature rejoices in the passive nature
6. Volatile et Fixum → The Volatile and the Fixed
7. Nuptiae Caeli et Terrae → Marriage of Heaven and Earth
8. Opera Mulieris, Ludus Pueri → Woman's work, child's play
9. Visita Interiora Terrae, Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem → Visit the interior of the earth, and by rectification you shall find the hidden stone
10. Est in Mercurio quicquid quaerunt sapientes → In Mercury is everything the wise seek
11. Igne Natura Renovatur Integra → By fire, nature is wholly renewed
12. Aqua permanens occultat ignem → The permanent water conceals the fire
13. Si fixum solvas, facies volatile fixum → If you dissolve the fixed, you shall make the volatile fixed
14. Aurora consurgens ex umbra mortis → The dawn rises out of the shadow of death
15. Est natura ignis ascendere → It is the nature of fire to ascend
16. Daemon est Deus inversus → The demon is God inverted
17. Aurum in Calice, Rubor in Rosa → Gold in the Cup, Redness in the Rose
18. Omnia in Omnibus → All things in all things
19. Totum in toto, et totum in qualibet parte → The whole is in the whole, and the whole is in every part
20. Non invidet mortali Deus immortalis → The immortal God does not envy the mortal
21. Intus omnia → All things are within
22. Ad astra per magicas artes → To the stars through magical arts
23. Corpus Hermeticum: unus Deus, unus mundus, una mens, unus homo → One God, one world, one mind, one man
24. Deus est circulus cuius centrum ubique, circumferentia nusquam → God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere
25. Magus est homo Dei minister et mundi moderator → The magus is the servant of God and the governor of the world
26. Angeli sunt virtutes Dei manifestatae → Angels are the manifested powers of God
27. Nomina sunt virtutes → Names are powers
28. Nomen sacrum portat potentiam → The sacred name bears power
29. Lux occultata refulget → The hidden light shines forth
30. Templa sibi qui facit, Deum facit → He who builds a temple for himself, makes God
31. Qui scit veritatem, videt invisibilia → He who knows truth sees the invisible
32. Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi → Our gold is not the common gold
33. Ignis et azoth tibi sufficiunt → Fire and azoth are sufficient for thee
34. Natura naturam vincit → Nature conquers nature
35. Nigredo est initium operis → The Blackening is the beginning of the Work
36. Mortificatio praecedit vivificationem → Mortification precedes vivification
37. Rex moritur, rex resurgit → The king dies, the king rises again
38. Lapis philosophorum est in te → The Philosopher's Stone is within you
39. Unus est lapis, una medicina, unum vas → One is the stone, one the medicine, one the vessel — Rosarium Philosophorum
40. Fac de mare et femina circulum → Make of the male and female a circle — Rosarium Philosophorum
41. Album fac nigrum, et nigrum fac album → Make the white black, and the black white
42. Aurum potabile → Drinkable gold
43. Anima mundi → The Soul of the World
44. Unum fit duo, duo fit tria, et ex tertio unum fit quartum → One becomes two, two becomes three, and from the third comes the fourth as one — Axiom of Maria Prophetissa.
45. Draco non moritur nisi cum fratre et sorore sua → The dragon does not die except with its brother and sister — Alchemical maxim.
46. Sal, Sulphur, Mercurius — Tria Prima → Salt, Sulphur, Mercury — the Three Primes — Paracelsus.
47. Lapis exilis → The worthless stone — Wolfram von Eschenbach's name for the Grail-stone; also an alchemical cipher.
48. Natura non facit saltum → Nature does not make a leap
49. Tam ethice quam physice → As much ethically as physically — Alchemical principle: the Work transforms the soul as much as matter.
50. Homo est Deus mortalis, Deus est homo immortalis → Man is a mortal god, God is an immortal man — Hermetic aphorism.

V. The Mysteries & Initiation

1. Mysteria non revelantur nisi initiatis → The mysteries are not revealed except to the initiated
2. Clavis Arcanorum → The Key of the Mysteries
3. Qui scit, tacet. Qui nescit, loquitur. → He who knows is silent. He who does not, speaks.
4. Initium sapientiae silentium est → The beginning of wisdom is silence
5. Mysteria non traduntur nisi mystis → The mysteries are not handed down except to the initiated
6. Arcana Dei non sunt divulganda → The secrets of God are not to be divulged
7. In tenebris absconditur lumen → In darkness, the light is hidden
8. Veritas in enigmate → Truth in riddle
9. Sapientia occulta in parabolas loquitur → Hidden wisdom speaks in parables
10. Omnia mysteria signis teguntur → All mysteries are veiled in signs
11. Scriptum est in corde, non in charta → It is written in the heart, not on parchment
12. Qui caret Clave, strepit extra Templum → He who lacks the Key stands clanging outside the Temple
13. Clavis est Amor, Janua est Mors → The Key is Love, the Gate is Death
14. Mysteria abscondita sunt in simplicibus → The mysteries are hidden in the simple things
15. Arcanum Magnum est silentium interioris lucis → The Great Secret is the silence of the inner light
16. Per Clavem aperitur Intus → Through the Key, the Within is opened
17. Mysteria docentur per signa, non verba → The Mysteries are taught through signs, not words
18. Nulla via ad Arcanum nisi per mortem voluntatis → There is no path to the Secret but through the death of the will
19. Initium Arcanorum est oblivio mundi → The beginning of the Mysteries is the forgetting of the world
20. Sine signo, nihil revelatur → Without the sign, nothing is revealed
21. In silentio veritas → In silence, truth
22. Ars est celare artem → The art is to conceal the art
23. Scire, Velle, Audere, Tacere → To Know, To Will, To Dare, To Be Silent — The Four Powers of the Sphinx.
24. Sapere aude → Dare to be wise — Horace; adopted by the esoteric tradition.
25. Mors janua vitae → Death is the gate of life
26. Noli foras ire, in interiori homine habitat veritas → Do not go outside; truth dwells within man — Augustine.
27. Per aspera ad astra → Through hardships to the stars
28. Nitimur in vetitum → We strive for the forbidden — Ovid
29. Hic locus est ubi mors gaudet succurrere vitae → This is the place where death delights to help life — Inscription at mystery-school thresholds and anatomy theaters.
30. Initiatio est secunda nativitas → Initiation is a second birth
31. Lex Silentii → The Law of Silence
32. Frange sigillum, perde arcanum → Break the seal, lose the secret

VI. Astrology & the Celestial Art

1. Sapiens dominabitur astris → The wise man will rule the stars
2. Astra inclinant, non necessitant → The stars incline, they do not compel
3. Astra regunt homines, sed Deus regit astra → The stars rule men, but God rules the stars
4. Coelum est liber vivus → The sky is a living book
5. Tempus est imago aeternitatis → Time is the image of eternity — Plato, Timaeus
6. In astris scriptum est → It is written in the stars
7. In motu caelorum mens divina loquitur → In the motion of the heavens, the divine mind speaks
8. Per stellas ascendimus → Through the stars, we ascend
9. Astra sunt scala caelorum → The stars are the ladder of the heavens
10. Quod est supra, stellis figuratur infra → What is above is traced by the stars below
11. Signa caeli narrant gloriam Dei → The signs of the heavens declare the glory of God — Psalm 19
12. Zodiacus est rota vitae → The zodiac is the wheel of life
13. Ordo caelestis infigitur animae humanae → The celestial order is imprinted upon the human soul
14. Sol et Luna sunt luminaria magna → The Sun and Moon are the great luminaries
15. Stella matutina → The morning star
16. Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt → Those who cross the sea change their sky, not their soul — Horace
17. Fata volentem ducunt, nolentem trahunt → The Fates lead the willing and drag the unwilling — Seneca, after Cleanthes.
18. Sol omnibus lucet → The sun shines upon all
19. Sub Saturno nascimur, sub Jove vivimus, sub Marte pugnamus → Under Saturn we are born, under Jupiter we live, under Mars we fight
20. Luna est speculum Solis → The Moon is the mirror of the Sun
21. Planetae sunt instrumenta Providentiae → The planets are the instruments of Providence

VII. The Templar Holy Knight

1. Vivere militare est — “To live is to fight.”
2. Si vis pacem, para bellum → If you wish for peace, prepare for war — Vegetius, De Re Militari
3. Vita hominis super terram militia est → Man's life on earth is warfare — Job 7:1
4. Non glorietur accinctus ut discinctus → Let not him who puts on the armor boast like him who takes it off — 1 Kings 20:11
5. Disce pati, disce vincere → Learn to endure, learn to conquer
6. Ferrum est ultima ratio → The sword is the final argument
7. Ars belli, ars regni → The art of war is the art of rule
8. Miles Christi, miles animi → Soldier of Christ, soldier of the soul
9. Fortes fortuna adiuvat → Fortune favors the bold — Virgil, Aeneid
10. Spes in gladio, victoria in corde → Hope in the sword, victory in the heart
11. Imperare sibi maximum est imperium → To command oneself is the greatest empire — Seneca
12. Nulla dies sine disciplina → No day without discipline
13. Pro veritate et victoria morior → For truth and victory, I die
14. Vincit qui patitur → He conquers who endures
15. Non vi, sed virtute → Not by force, but by virtue
16. Acta non verba → Deeds, not words
17. Vincere aut mori → To conquer or die
18. Gladius spiritus, quod est verbum Dei → The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God — Ephesians 6:17
19. Nulla victoria sine sacrificio → No victory without sacrifice
20. Monachus pugnat contra mundum, carnem et diabolum → The monk fights against the world, the flesh, and the devil

VIII. Sacred Law & Divine Order

1. Lex naturae est lex Dei → The law of nature is the law of God
2. Lex iniusta non est lex → An unjust law is no law at all — Augustine, echoed by Aquinas.
3. Lex scripta non superat legem cordis → The written law does not surpass the law of the heart
4. Verus rex legi Dei obedit → The true king obeys the law of God
5. Discernere est regere → To discern is to govern
6. Libertas sine disciplina ruina est → Liberty without discipline is ruin
7. Ordo est imago aeternitatis → Order is the image of eternity
8. Auctoritas nascitur ex veritate → Authority is born from truth
9. Verus magistratus ministrat, non dominatur → The true ruler serves, not dominates
10. Nulla potestas nisi a Deo → There is no power but from God — Romans 13:1
11. Verus liber est is qui se subicit legi divinae → The truly free man is he who submits to divine law
12. Ordo in omnibus rebus est via Dei → Order in all things is the way of God
13. Fiat justitia, ruat coelum → Let justice be done, though the heavens fall
14. Dura lex, sed lex → The law is hard, but it is the law
15. Salus populi suprema lex esto → The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law — Cicero
16. Ubique sunt et gradus et ordo → Everywhere there are degrees and order — St. Bonaventure
17. Lex orandi, lex credendi → The law of prayer is the law of belief
18. Justitia est constans et perpetua voluntas jus suum cuique tribuendi → Justice is the constant and perpetual will to give to each his due — Justinian
19. Rex sub Deo et lege → The king is under God and the law — Bracton

IX. Love, Beauty & the Venusian Path

1. Amor vincit omnia → Love conquers all — Virgil, Eclogues
2. Pulchritudo est lumen veritatis → Beauty is the light of truth
3. Ludus amoris est ludus dei → The game of love is the game of God
4. Oculi sunt sagittae Veneris → The eyes are the arrows of Venus
5. Flamma amoris accendit animam → The flame of love kindles the soul
6. Tactus est oratio carnis → Touch is the prayer of the flesh
7. Amor est initium et finis sapientiae → Love is the beginning and end of wisdom
8. Cor regit, non ratio → The heart rules, not reason
9. Ubi amor, ibi oculus → Where there is love, there is vision
10. Clavis scientiae est amor → Love is the key of knowledge
11. Vulnerasti cor meum, soror mea sponsa → You have wounded my heart, my sister, my bride — Song of Solomon 4:9
12. Dilectus meus mihi, et ego illi → My beloved is mine, and I am his — Song of Solomon 2:16
13. Fulcite me floribus, quia amore langueo → Sustain me with flowers, for I am sick with love — Song of Solomon 2:5
14. Amor est vitae essentia → Love is the essence of life
15. Sine amicitia vitam esse nullam → There is no life without friendship — Cicero
16. Stella Maris → Star of the Sea — Ancient title of the Virgin Mary; also a name of Venus.
17. Tota pulchra es, amica mea, et macula non est in te → You are altogether beautiful, my love, and there is no blemish in you — Song of Solomon 4:7
18. Pulchritudo splendor veritatis → Beauty is the splendor of truth — Plato, via Aquinas.
19. Flos florum → Flower of flowers — Marian title.
20. Ars amandi, ars vivendi → The art of loving is the art of living

X. Scripture, Prayer & the Sacred Word

1. Fiat Lux → Let there be Light — Genesis 1:3
2. In principio erat Verbum → In the beginning was the Word — John 1:1
3. Verbum caro factum est → The Word was made flesh — John 1:14
4. Lux in tenebris lucet → The light shines in the darkness — John 1:5
5. Spiritus ubi vult spirat → The Spirit bloweth where it will — John 3:8
6. Veritas liberabit vos → The truth shall set you free — John 8:32
7. Fiat voluntas tua → Thy will be done
8. Sic fiat voluntas tua super terram sicut in caelo → Let Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
9. Per verbum, omnia fiunt → Through the Word, all things are made
10. Per crucem ad lucem → Through the cross to the light
11. Crux mihi lux → The Cross is my light
12. Crux est porta → The Cross is the gate
13. In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen → In Thy light shall we see light — Psalm 36:9
14. Non moriar, sed vivam, et narrabo opera Domini → I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord — Psalm 118:17
15. Initium sapientiae timor Domini → The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord — Psalm 111:10
16. In silentio et spe erit fortitudo vestra → In silence and hope shall be your strength — Isaiah 30:15
17. Sapientia aedificavit sibi domum → Wisdom has built herself a house — Proverbs 9:1
18. Hoc fac et vivet anima tua → Do this, and thy soul shall live
19. Nolite dare sanctum canibus → Do not give the sacred to dogs — Matthew 7:6
20. Sicut Moses fecit omnia secundum exemplar quod ostensum est ei in monte → As Moses made all things according to the pattern shown him on the mountain
21. Exorcizo te, immunde spiritus, in nomine Dei vivi → I exorcise thee, unclean spirit, in the name of the living God
22. Verbum, Lux, Spiritus → Word, Light, Spirit
23. Ego sum Alpha et Omega → I am the Alpha and the Omega — Revelation 1:8
24. Ego sum via, veritas et vita → I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life — John 14:6
25. Consummatum est → It is finished — John 19:30
26. Ecce Homo → Behold the Man — John 19:5
27. Ecce, nova facio omnia → Behold, I make all things new — Revelation 21:5
28. Sursum corda → Lift up your hearts — Liturgical.
29. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi → Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world — Liturgical.
30. Veni, Creator Spiritus → Come, Creator Spirit — Liturgical hymn.
31. Lapis quem reprobaverunt aedificantes, hic factus est in caput anguli → The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner — Psalm 118:22
32. Ave Regina caelorum → Hail, Queen of Heaven — Liturgical.
33. Vos estis lux mundi → You are the light of the world — Matthew 5:14
34. Semen est sanguis Christianorum → The blood of the Christians is seed — Tertullian
35. Nisi quis renatus fuerit denuo, non potest videre regnum Dei → Unless one is born again, one cannot see the kingdom of God — John 3:3
36. Ubi Spiritus Domini, ibi libertas → Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty — 2 Corinthians 3:17
37. Estote prudentes sicut serpentes et simplices sicut columbae → Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves — Matthew 10:16
38. Thesaurizate vobis thesauros in caelo → Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven — Matthew 6:20

XI. Wisdom, Lore & the Way of Study

1. Da quod vis accipere → Give what you wish to receive
2. Ad Fontem Sapientiae → To the Fountain of Wisdom
3. Liber librum aperit → One book opens another
4. Ora, Lege, Lege, Lege, Relege, Labora et Invenies → Pray, read, read, read, re-read, work, and you will find
5. Festina lente → Make haste slowly
6. Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto → I am human; I consider nothing human alien to me — Terence
7. Docendo discimus → By teaching, we learn — Seneca
8. Sapiens qui prospicit → Wise is he who looks ahead
9. Veritas odium parit → Truth begets hatred — Terence

XII. The Temple & the Craft

1. Ordo ab Chao → Order out of Chaos — Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
2. Deus Meumque Jus → God and My Right — Motto of the 33rd Degree.
3. Spes mea in Deo est → My hope is in God — Motto of the 32nd Degree.
4. Virtus junxit, mors non separabit → Virtue has united, death shall not separate
5. Audi, Vide, Tace → Hear, See, Be Silent — Masonic maxim.
6. Ex tenebris ad lucem → From darkness to light
7. Nil nisi clavis deest → Nothing is wanting but the Key — Motto of the Royal Arch.
8. In Deo fiducia → In God is our trust
9. Lux fiat → Let there be light — The first word spoken in the Lodge.
10. Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem → Out of shadows and images into truth
11. Fundamentum omnium bonorum est caritas → The foundation of all good things is charity
12. Silentium est aureum → Silence is golden
13. Ne plus ultra → Nothing more beyond — Motto of the 30th Degree, Knight Kadosh.
14. Latomia sacra → Sacred stonework
15. Caementarii liberi et accepti → Free and Accepted Masons
16. In medio stat virtus → Virtue stands in the middle

XIII. Death, Resurrection & the Phoenix

1. Per mortem ad vitam → Through death to life
2. Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando → Death and life contended in a wondrous battle — Easter Sequence (Victimae Paschali Laudes).
3. Moritur ut resurgat → It dies so that it may rise again
4. In morte vita → In death, life
5. Phoenix ex cinere resurgit → The Phoenix rises from the ashes
6. Seminatur in corruptione, surgitur in incorruptione → It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption — 1 Corinthians 15:42
7. Nisi granum frumenti cadens in terram mortuum fuerit → Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies — John 12:24
8. Post tenebras lux → After darkness, light
9. Renascetur ex cineribus → It shall be reborn from the ashes
10. Oportet mori ut vivat → It is necessary to die in order to live
11. Victor mortis → Conqueror of death
12. O mors, ero mors tua; morsus tuus ero, inferne → O death, I shall be thy death; O hell, I shall be thy sting — Hosea 13:14
13. Mortui vivos docent → The dead teach the living
14. Ex ossibus ultor → From the bones, an avenger — Virgil, Aeneid

XIV. The Gnostic Flame

1. Agnosia est mors animae → Ignorance is the death of the soul
2. Scintilla animae → The spark of the soul — Meister Eckhart; cf. the Valentinian spinther.
3. Sophia lapsa et rediviva → Wisdom fallen and restored — The Gnostic myth of Sophia.
4. Pneuma contra Hylen → Spirit against Matter
5. Deus absconditus → The hidden God
6. Qui se ipsum novit, Deum novit → He who knows himself, knows God — Gnostic maxim; cf. Clement of Alexandria.
7. Non sum de hoc mundo → I am not of this world — John 8:23; the Gnostic watchword.
8. Pleroma est plenitudo Dei → The Pleroma is the fullness of God
9. Qui invenit interpretationem horum verborum, mortem non gustabit → Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death — Gospel of Thomas, Saying 1.
10. Quaerite et invenietis; pulsate et aperietur vobis → Seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you — Matthew 7:7; central to Gnostic soteriology.
11. Lux de Lumine → Light from Light — Nicene Creed; also the Gnostic chain of emanation.
12. Mundus est carceri animae → The world is the prison of the soul

XV. Kabbalah & the Hebrew Mysteries

1. Ein Sof → Without End — The Infinite; the unknowable Godhead beyond all attributes.
2. Or Ein Sof → The Limitless Light
3. Kether Elyon → The Supreme Crown — The first Sephirah.
4. Decem Sephiroth Belimah → Ten Sephiroth of Nothingness — Sefer Yetzirah.
5. Triginta duae semitae sapientiae → Thirty-two paths of wisdom — Sefer Yetzirah.
6. Be-reshith bara Elohim → In the beginning, God created — Genesis 1:1; the foundation of all Kabbalistic cosmology.
7. Tikkun Olam → Repair of the World — Lurianic Kabbalah.
8. Tsimtsum → Contraction — God withdrew to make space for creation; Isaac Luria.
9. Shekhinah → The Divine Presence — The feminine indwelling of God.
10. Da'ath est porta abyssi → Knowledge is the gate of the abyss — The hidden Sephirah on the Tree of Life.
11. Etz Chayyim → The Tree of Life
12. Chokmah u-Binah, Abba ve-Imma → Wisdom and Understanding, Father and Mother — The supernal parents on the Tree of Life.

XVI. The Exiled Prince, Fall & Return

The Fall & The Exile

Princeps exsul, regni oblitus → The exiled prince, forgetful of his kingdom

Corona deposita, catenis assumptis → The crown laid down, the chains taken up

Cecidi a stella, in lutum lapsus → I fell from a star, sunk into the mire

Exsul a Patre, peregrinus in mundo → Exiled from the Father, a stranger in the world

Lux regia in carcere carnis → Royal light in the prison of flesh

Sub veste servi, sanguis regius → Beneath the servant's garment, royal blood

Forgetting & Amnesia

Oblitus sum quis sim → I have forgotten who I am

Dormit princeps, servum se somnians → The prince sleeps, dreaming himself a slave

In somno mundi, oblivio regni → In the sleep of the world, forgetfulness of the kingdom

Surge qui dormis, et exsurge a mortuis → Arise, you who sleep, and rise from the dead — Ephesians 5:14

Surgam et ibo ad Patrem meum → I will arise and go to my Father — Luke 15:18

Memento originis tuae → Remember your origin

Evigila, anima, et recordare → Awake, O soul, and remember

Vox Patris in exilio → The Father's voice in exile

The Quest & The Wandering Soul

Homo viator, semper in via → Man the wayfarer, ever on the road

Quaero quod amisi → I seek what I have lost

Per tenebras ad patriam → Through darkness, toward the homeland

Vestigia regni sequor → I follow the traces of the kingdom

Errans sed non sine stella → Wandering, but not without a star

Fecisti nos ad te, et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te → Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless until it rests in Thee — Augustine, Confessions

Trials & Descent

Draco custodit thesaurum → The dragon guards the treasure

Umbra mea, hostis meus → My shadow, my enemy

Qui descendit, ascendet → He who descends shall ascend

In imo invenitur lumen → In the lowest depth the light is found

Mortuus erat et revixit, perierat et inventus est → He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found — Luke 15:24

Filius qui perierat, domum redit → The son who was lost returns home

Reditus est ratio exitus → The return is the meaning of the going-forth

Patria animae, sinus Patris → The soul's homeland is the bosom of the Father

Exsul redux, rex coronatus → The returned exile, the crowned king

Corona reddita, regnum recuperatum → The crown restored, the kingdom regained

Exsul rex factus, quia recordatus est → The exile made king, because he remembered

Qui exsul fuit, nunc regnat → He who was an exile now reigns

XVII. Vanitas, Death, and the Passing World

Vanitas vanitatis, et omnia vanitas — “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

Pulvis et umbra sumus — “We are but dust and shadow.” — Horace Sic transit gloria mundi — “Thus passes the glory of the world.” Requiescat in pace — “May they rest in peace.” Memento mori — “Remember that you must die.” Respice finem — “Consider the end.” Mors vincit omnia — “Death conquers all.” Non metuit mortem qui scit contemnere vitam — “They fear not death who have learned to despise life.” Media vita in morte sumus — “In the midst of life, we are in death.” Omnia mors aequat — “Death makes all things equal.” Mors certa, hora incerta — “Death is certain; the hour is uncertain.” Hodie mihi, cras tibi — “Today me, tomorrow you.” Fugit hora — “The hour flees.” Tempus fugit — “Time flies.” Mors ultima linea rerum est — “Death is the final boundary of things.” — Horace Quid est vita? Vapor est. — “What is life? It is a vapor.” Memor esto pulveris — “Remember that you are dust.” Pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris — “Dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

XVIII. Spiritual Warfare, Courage, and Victory

Fortiter pugna — “Fight bravely.”

Non timebo mala — “I will fear no evil.” Victoriae gloria merces — “Glory is the reward of victory.” Per angusta ad augusta — “Through adversity to greatness.” Ad astra per aspera — “To the stars through hardships.” Dum spiro spero — “While I breathe, I hope.” Audentes fortuna iuvat — “Fortune favors the daring.” Aut viam inveniam aut faciam — “I shall either find a way or make one.” Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori — “It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.” Si Deus pro nobis, quis contra nos? — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Vince in bono malum — “Overcome evil with good.” Bonum certamen certavi — “I have fought the good fight.” Esto vir — “Be strong.” / “Be a man.” Age quod agis — “Do what you are doing.” Perfer et obdura — “Endure and persist.” Nil desperandum — “Never despair.” Invictus maneo — “I remain unconquered.”

XIX. Virtue, Honor, and Nobility

Virtus vincit omnia — “Virtue conquers all.” Honor est praemium virtutis — “Honor is the reward of virtue.” Virtus sola nobilitat — “Virtue alone ennobles.” Virtus in arduis — “Virtue in difficulties.” / “Courage in adversity.” Virtus sibi praemium — “Virtue is its own reward.” Virtus vera nobilitas — “Virtue is true nobility.” Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus — “Virtue is the one and only nobility.” — Juvenal Ignis probat aurum, tribulatio viros fortes — “Fire tests gold; tribulation tests strong men.” Cum patientia ignis vincitur — “Fire is overcome with patience.”

Labore et constantia — “By labor and constancy.”

Labor omnia vincit — “Labor conquers all.” Immensem gloria calcar habet — “Glory has an immense spur.” / “Glory gives an immense stimulus.” Hominēs et arborēs a frūctibus cognōscuntur — “Men and trees are known by their fruits.” Facta non verba — “Deeds, not words.” Esse quam videri — “To be rather than to seem.” Audaces fortuna iuvat — “Fortune helps the bold.” Honos alit artes — “Honor nourishes the arts.” — Cicero Palmam qui meruit ferat — “Let the one who has earned the palm bear it.” Sustine et abstine — “Endure and abstain.” Faber est suae quisque fortunae — “Each person is the maker of their own fortune.” Non scholae sed vitae discimus — “We learn not for school, but for life.” — Seneca

XX. Divine Kingship, Christ, and Sacred Victory

Christus regnat — “Christ reigns.” / “Christ is King.” Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat — “Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands.” Sanguis Christi, dealba me — “Blood of Christ, cleanse me.” Tradidi quod et accepi — “I have handed on what I also received.” — 1 Corinthians 11:23 Christi crux est mea lux — “The Cross of Christ is my light.” Crux sacra sit mihi lux — “May the holy Cross be my light.” Ad maiorem Dei gloriam — “For the greater glory of God.” Dominus illuminatio mea — “The Lord is my light.” Dominus regit me — “The Lord rules me.” / “The Lord is my shepherd.” Deus providebit — “God will provide.” Deus meus et omnia — “My God and my all.” Veni, Sancte Spiritus — “Come, Holy Spirit.” Lux mundi — “Light of the world.” Rex regum et Dominus dominantium — “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Maranatha — “Come, Lord.” Sub tuum praesidium — “Under your protection.”

XXI. Wisdom, Understanding, and Philosophy

Da mihi intellectum — “Give me understanding.” Rerum cognoscere causas — “To know the causes of things.” — Virgil Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas — “Happy is the one who has been able to know the causes of things.” — Virgil Aut tace, aut loquere meliora silentio — “Either be silent or say something better than silence.”

Barba non facit philosophum — “A beard does not make one a philosopher.” Otium sine litteris mors est — “Leisure without literature is death.” — Seneca Res cognoscuntur per terminos — “Things are known by their limits.” Nosce te ipsum / Temet nosce — “Know thyself.” Scientia potentia est — “Knowledge is power.” Magna est veritas et praevalebit — “Great is truth, and it shall prevail.” Ars longa, vita brevis — “Art is long, life is short.” Nulla dies sine linea — “No day without a line.” Amor sapientiae — “Love of wisdom.” Disce pati — “Learn to suffer.” / “Learn to endure.” Disce mori — “Learn to die.” Legere et meditari — “To read and meditate.” Qui quaerit invenit — “Who seeks, finds.” Verum, bonum, pulchrum — “The True, the Good, the Beautiful.” Mens agitat molem — “Mind moves matter.” — Virgil

XXII. Order, Cosmos, and the One

ἓν τὸ πᾶν — Omnia unum — “The All is One.” Sicut in caelo et in terra — “As in heaven, so on earth.” Per Deum omnia facta sunt, et sine Ipso nihil factum — “Through God, all things were made, and without Him, nothing was made.” Deus lux mea est — “God is my light.” Omnia mutantur, nihil interit — “All things change; nothing perishes.” Quod est superius est sicut quod inferius — “That which is above is like that which is below.” Lux et veritas — “Light and truth.” Veritas et virtus — “Truth and virtue.” Omnia in mensura et numero et pondere — “All things in measure, number, and weight.” Ordo amoris — “The order of love.” Bonum est diffusivum sui — “The Good is self-diffusive.” Ens et bonum convertuntur — “Being and goodness are convertible.” Unum, verum, bonum — “The One, the True, the Good.” Deus est sphaera infinita — “God is an infinite sphere.” Sphaera cuius centrum ubique, circumferentia nusquam — “A sphere whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.” Ab uno disce omnes — “From one, learn all.” Omnia disponit suaviter — “He orders all things sweetly.” In ipso vivimus, movemur et sumus — “In Him we live, move, and have our being.”

XXIII. Alchemy, Transformation, and the Great Work

Ora et labora — “Pray and work.” Ex tenebris lux — “Out of darkness, light.” In sterquiliniis invenitur — “It is found in filth.” Aqua permanens — “The permanent water.” Lapis philosophorum — “The Philosopher’s Stone.” Materia prima — “First matter.” Opus magnum — “The Great Work.” Una res — “One thing.” Ex uno omnia — “From the One, all things.” Invenies occultum lapidem — “You shall find the hidden stone.” Igne me proba — “Test me by fire.” Natura naturans — “Nature naturing.” / “Nature as active creative power.” Natura naturata — “Nature natured.” / “Nature as created manifestation.”

XXIV. Love, Friendship, and Charity

Vis amari, ama — “If you wish to be loved, love.” Porrige porrigenti — “Give to the one who gives.” Non nobis solum — “Not for ourselves alone.” Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est — “Where charity and love are, God is there.” Caritas numquam excidit — “Charity never fails.” Dilige et quod vis fac — “Love, and do what you will.” Amor meus pondus meum — “My love is my weight.” Amor Dei — “The love of God.” Amor fati — “Love of fate.” Cor ad cor loquitur — “Heart speaks to heart.” Amicitia vera rara avis est — “True friendship is a rare bird.” Dulce et utile — “The sweet and the useful.”

XXV. Fate, Desire, Wine, and the Forbidden

Nos fatum ducit — “Fate leads us.” In vino veritas — “In wine, there is truth.” In aqua sanitas, in vino veritas — “In water there is health; in wine there is truth.” Spiritus promptus est, caro autem infirma — “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor — “I see and approve the better things, but I follow the worse.” Trahit sua quemque voluptas — “Each person is drawn by their own pleasure.” Quo fata trahunt retrahuntque sequamur — “Let us follow where the fates pull and pull us back.” Fata viam invenient — “The fates will find a way.” Dum vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt — “While fools avoid one vice, they run into the opposite.” Quidquid latet apparebit — “Whatever is hidden shall appear.” In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni — “We go in circles by night and are consumed by fire.” Abyssus abyssum invocat — “Deep calls unto deep.”

XXVI. Sovereignty, Leadership, and Readiness

Non ducor, duco — “I am not led; I lead.” Semper idem — “Always the same.” Semper fidelis — “Always faithful.” Semper paratus — “Always prepared.” Rex sum ego — “I am king.” Qui se vincit, vincit omnia — “Who conquers themselves conquers all.” Rex non potest peccare — “The king can do no wrong.” Servire Deo regnare est — “To serve God is to reign.” Nemo me impune lacessit — “No one provokes me with impunity.” Dieu et mon droit — “God and my right.” Ich dien — “I serve.”

XXVII. Dragon, Treasure, and the Hidden Quest

Insomni custodita dracone — “Guarded by an ever-wakeful dragon.”

Sub rosa — “Under the rose.” Hic sunt dracones — “Here be dragons.” Ad fontem — “To the source.” Ad fontes — “To the sources.” Thesaurus absconditus — “Hidden treasure.” Ubi thesaurus tuus, ibi cor tuum — “Where your treasure is, there your heart is.” Margarita pretiosa — “The precious pearl.” Margarita magnae pretii — “Pearl of great price.” Per crucem ad rosam — “Through the Cross to the Rose.” Dat rosa mel apibus — “The rose gives honey to the bees.” Sub sigillo — “Under seal.” Clavis aurea — “The golden key.” Porta caeli — “Gate of heaven.”

XXVIII. Writing, Art, Poetry, and the Opus

Scripta manent — “Written things remain.” Verba volant, scripta manent — “Words fly away; writings remain.” Poeta nascitur, non fit — “The poet is born, not made.” Ut pictura poesis — “As painting, so poetry.” Ars gratia artis — “Art for art’s sake.” Labor limae — “The labor of the file.” Stilo et gladio — “With pen and sword.” Calamus gladio fortior — “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

XXIX. Frontispiece: Five Latin Proverbs

1. Hominēs et arborēs a frūctibus cognōscuntur — “Men and trees are known by their fruits.”
2. Per Deum omnia facta sunt, et sine Ipsō nihil factum — “Through God, all things were made, and without Him, nothing was made.”
3. Rēs cognōscuntur per terminōs — “Things are known by their limits.”
4. Vīs amārī, amā — “If you want to be loved, love.”
5. Porrige porrigentī — “Give to the one who gives.”

Appendix: Possible Names for the Emblem Book

Verba Regalia Verba Aurea Verba Lucis Sententiae Regales Flores Latini Florilegium Regale

New To Sort

Quī nōn intelligit, aut taceat, aut discat — “Who does not understand should either be silent or learn.”

Barba nōn facit philosophoum — “A beard doesn't make one a philosopher”

Nātī sumus moritūrī — “We are born to die.”

Dum spīrō, spērō — “While I breathe, I hope.”

Nōn solum armīs — “Not only with arms.”

Non timebo mala — “I will fear no evil.”

Library of Light Edition 1.0 — Last revised: July 2026