Rosicrucians
Secretive mystical order
Rosicrucians are members of secretive spiritual societies claiming descent from a legendary 17th-century brotherhood that combined Christian mysticism with occult philosophy and alchemy.
The original Rosicrucian manifestos, probably literary hoaxes, described a fraternity possessing ancient esoteric knowledge.
Modern groups using the name—some claiming unbroken lineage, others openly reconstructed—pursue spiritual enlightenment through ritual, symbolism, and study of hidden truths: The Rosicrucians met weekly to discuss hermetic philosophy.
Spirit of brotherly connection
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- lodgeTemporary woodland dwelling
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- secret societyCovert fraternal organization
fellowship · chapter · temple · congregation · guild · covenant · membership · degrees
Stood up, or fragrant bloom
- pelicanPouch-throated waterbird
- phoenixSelf-immolating, regenerating bird
- vaultSecure storage chamber
- lampElectric light fixture
geometric figures · compass · square · pentagram · hexagram · ouroboros · sun · moon
Experiential sacred understanding
- arcanaEsoteric specialized knowledge
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
mysticism · enlightenment · sacred geometry · astral · divine spark · sophia · ancient mysteries · neoplatonism
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixirMythical healing draught
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
laboratory · crucible · inner transformation · purification · calcination · dissolution · conjunction
fraternity
Spirit of brotherly connection
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- lodgeTemporary woodland dwelling
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
secret society · fellowship · chapter · temple · congregation · guild · covenant · membership · degrees · hierarchy
rose
Stood up, or fragrant bloom
lamp · geometric figures · compass · square · pentagram · hexagram · ouroboros · sun · moon · emblems
gnosis
Experiential sacred understanding
- arcanaEsoteric specialized knowledge
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
theosophy · mysticism · enlightenment · sacred geometry · astral · divine spark · sophia · ancient mysteries · neoplatonism
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- elixirMythical healing draught
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
quintessence · laboratory · crucible · inner transformation · purification · calcination · dissolution · conjunction
- FaithsChristians, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- secret networkssecret societies, cabals, cells, hidden networks, criminal networks
- secret societiesFreemasons, Illuminati, secret society, secret societies, Masons
- Sectscult, Gnostics, sect, Shia, Sunni
- spiritual groupsfaith community, religious order, monastic order, ashram, intentional community
Rosicrucianssecular humanism
Nonreligious ethical philosophy
physicalism · skeptics · empiricists · Royal Society · secular humanists
RosicruciansChurch Fathers
Authoritative early Christian theologians
Counter-Reformation · Roman Catholicism · Eastern Orthodoxy · Council of Nicaea · papal authority