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Crescent Symbolism
Brothers,
I love symbols! The Crescent, like most other symbols, has multiple meanings- natural growth (Astarte), classic purity (Diana), and Christian purity (Mary, Mother of Jesus). The original source for our use of the Crescent symbol was the Grange. Cole incorporated the crescent moon into his original 1912 Ritual. Later, Mason and McIntosh chose the Crescent because it was part of the symbolism associated with good King Rene' of Anjou. Our symbol, found on the "Order of Merit" award, is also associated with the Order of Mary Magdalen!
Our Creed, which I believe is in the need of an "overhaul," is lifted from parts of our current Ritual. Keep in mind "Per Crucem Crescens" or "Crescent in the Cross" when you think of our useage. Ours is a combined symbol, composed of a Cross and Crescent, that loses its meaning if each part is looked at as seperate elements. The Crescent represents the Ideal of our Order; pure, evergrowing, but unattainable spiritual perfection and the Cross represents our Guide to attaining ultimate perfection in the afterlife through the teachings of Christianity in this life. The Crescent is really the crescent moon and the moon's cycle of growth until it is fully luminated is an obvious symbol of more light (enlightenment) that impressed people all over the world throughout recorded history. Taken together this is a wonderful symbol of what Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is really all about and what it can mean to our members.
By the way, don't panic... this is my interpretation of material that has appeared in old "Purple, Green, and Gold" magazines, the 1929 History Book, the 1992 History Book, and research I did for an article I wrote that is scheduled to appear in the next two issues of "The Cross & Crescent." No real secrets here. If you do some basic research in our open publications you will find this information all laid out for you to read.
Yours in ZAX,
Mike Raymond, Zeta-Upsilon Zeta
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