From the book
Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry
R. Swinburne Clymer · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordGlyphics and hieroglyphics name signs through which concealed teaching is believed to be expressed.
- In Ancient Mystic Oriental MasonryThe book appeals to writings, monuments, and ritual forms as carriers of ancient wisdom.
- In this editionGlyphic is kept as the historical vocabulary.
- A place to readI.15: “Ninety-nine Masons out of every hundred would laugh at the Occult Science, and yet, were it” …
Meaning
Glyphics and hieroglyphics name signs through which concealed teaching is believed to be expressed. The source extends the vocabulary beyond Egyptian writing to a general symbolic language.
Use in the book
The book appeals to writings, monuments, and ritual forms as carriers of ancient wisdom. The African Brothers are praised for studying hieroglyphics relating to Masonry. The final account of ancient teachers explains misunderstandings as a failure to grasp their symbolic method.
Places to read
- Original Introduction · Block 15“Ninety-nine Masons out of every hundred would laugh at the Occult Science, and yet, were it not for:the Occult Fraternities, Masonry could never have existed. The Secret Doctrine was the universally” …
- Mystic Masonry · Block 33… “on the plan of Ancient Mysteries, with their glyphics and allegories, and this is no mere coincidence; the parallels are too closely drawn. Bro. Pike came to the conclusion, after long” …
- Mystic Masonry · Block 63“62. " This is, in brief, the language and the philosophy of symbolism, or the exoteric, and the esoteric garb of Truth. The method itself, outside of all details or applications,” …
- Foundations of Mystic Masonry · Block 5… “of the Masonic Order. They occupied themselves with hieroglyphics, especially with those relating to Freemasonry, which they sought to know well. They made a mystery of their goal up to the” …
- Masonic Symbolism · Block 154… “ascribed to them on account of their numerous hieroglyphics. The Magi of Memphis and Heliopolis were held in such esteem, and their renown was so widespread that the greatest heroes of” …
In this edition
Glyphic is kept as the historical vocabulary. The entry distinguishes its broad symbolic use from references specifically to Egyptian script.
Reading the argument
The extension is important. A Masonic glyphic in this book is not necessarily a character in a deciphered Egyptian text. The assertion of a universal language is an interpretive premise, and does not supply a translation for every historical sign.
glyphic
“glyphic” — 6 occurrences in 3 text blocks: M.26, 45, 58.
glyphics
“glyphics” — 5 occurrences in 5 text blocks: I.10; M.33, 53, 62, 64.
hieroglyphics
“hieroglyphics” — 4 occurrences in 4 text blocks: D.17; M.13; F.5; S.154.
hieroglyphic
“hieroglyphic” — 2 occurrences in 2 text blocks: F.132; N.184.