ANCIENT TALISMANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 6 (Supplement)

ANCIENT TALISMANS.

As an emblem of occult and sacred mysteries, the cross was venerated long before the Christian era, and crosses have been found among the remains of the oldest races of man of whom we have knowledge. The influence of the cross is world wide. When the Spaniards landed in Mexico they were amazed to discover that the Indians, who had never heard of Christianity, held the cross as a sacred symbol; it was the sign of the god of rain. Crosses with direct religious significance are of all shapes. The swastika, perhaps the oldest talisman in the world, is a form of cross with its arms turned back, and swastikas are found in pre-historic remains all over the world. In Egyptian tombs crosses have been discovered resembling corkscrews with elaborate ringed handles. Death on the cross vat; Int. method by which sacrifices were offered to Baal, not only human beings suite: ing this, but animals as well. The ancients taught that the diamond was the most powerful of all jewels m its influence against the forces of evil. Even tn-dav sprinkling of diamond dust on a child' is part, ot the baptismal ceremony among wealthy Hindus. An ancient belief was that a diamond to exercise its full power must be worn on the left side ..1 the bodv and so set that it touched the skin. 'Hence the custom of placing diamond rings on the left hand, and hav in" what is called the clear setting of the jrem. There is a persistent tradition that a diamond will have no power for good-

indeed it may have exactly the opposite effect—if it is won by fraud or crime. It. is only a mascot in the true sense when its owner has pure thoughts. When it faithless, the degraded or criminals possess diamonds the gems are actual bringers of bad luck.