Rosicrucian Manifestos
Encyclopedia
The Rosicrucian Manifestos were two documents of unknown authorship written in the early 17th century in Europe
. They purported to announce the existence of a hitherto unknown esoteric
order, the Brotherhood of the Rose Cross, to the world. The Fama Fraternitatis
and the Confessio Fraternitatis
as they were known, caused an immense furore across Europe with their esoteric imagery and call for a universal spiritual and cultural reformation across the continent. To this day controversy continues whether they were a hoax, whether the Order of the Rose Cross really existed as described in the Manifestos, or whether the whole thing was a metaphor
or ludibrium
disguising a movement that really existed, but in a different form. Since their publication and translation into several different languages the idea of the Rosicrucian
movement and the image of the Rose Cross itself have never gone away with many modern Rosicrucian organizations claiming spiritual
filiation with the original Order, such as the Rosicrucian Fellowship
and the Lectorium Rosicrucianum
, or claiming an historical heritage, such as AMORC.
, Germany
in 1614 and 1615 respectively. To this day no-one knows who was behind them, although suspicion rests on Lutheran theologian and mystic Johannes Valentinus Andreae
, who is thought to be Brother I A in the Fama. Even if Andreae was the prime mover in their publication (we know, for instance, that he was responsible for The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz and had a hand in the Fama as his autobiography suggests) this does not rule out the possibility of a group authorship.
The Manifestos purport to announce the existence of a two hundred year old secret order founded by the mysterious figure of Christian Rosenkreutz (Christian RosyCross in English). Both are filled with references to the Kabbalah
, Hermeticism
and Alchemy
as well as the more familiar imagery of Christianity
. As with everything else to do with the Manifestos, there is much discussion as to whether Rosenkreutz really existed as described, whether he is intended to be an allegorical figure or whether Christian Rosenkreutz was a pseudonym or spiritual name adopted by a real person after his Initiation into whatever Mysteries he encountered.
The Fama goes into detail about the founding of the order and the history of Rosenkreutz himself. He is described as a man of great learning, esoteric understanding and healing power who traveled in the Middle East in search of knowledge. He is said to have visited the Arab city of Damcar (possibly Damascus
) where he was met by Muslim sages and mystics (possibly Sufis
) 'as a friend'. There he is meant to have learned a great deal of esoteric wisdom and knowledge before returning to Europe where, having been rejected by the academic and religious authorities of the day he founded the secret Brotherhood or Order of the Rose Cross, now known as the Rosicrucians. This order is described as consisting of a group of learned men dedicated to the wellbeing of mankind who would travel the world healing and teaching and meeting annually in a specially appointed place. A brief outline of the history of the early Brethren along with the initials of their names is given.
The Fama Fraternitatis also describes the present Brothers of the Rose Cross who have continued the work of the original Order and gives an account of their discovery of the hidden tomb of Rosenkreutz. This consists of a secret vault of seven sides and three levels filled with miraculous objects and books of wisdom and learning. In the centre of the vault lies Rosenkreutz himself, his body perfectly preserved even after the passing of over a century.
The Confessio Fraternitatis continues the themes of the Fama, describing in more detail the vision of the Rose Cross of a 'general Reformation' of Europe and the creation of the invisible 'Spiritus Sancti', a community of the Spirit where the Rose Cross may flourish unseen. Like the Fama, the Confessio invites the curious and the worthy to contact the Rosicrucian Brotherhood but warns to stay away if the motivation to do so is merely riches and personal advancement. The Confessio also insists upon the firm Christian foundation of the Rose Cross movement, perhaps in response to accusations of necromancy and black magic among its detractors.
is just one of the many cultural giants of the time who tried to reach them without success. The promise of a spiritual and cultural transformation of Europe towards a greater harmony at a time of great turmoil added to the suggestion of access to enormous esoteric and mystical knowledge proved hugely exciting and attractive to many. People announced themselves as Rosicrucians, others denounced them as charlatans, efforts to locate them were endlessly frustrated, fueling speculation that they were a hoax and yet others (such as Robert Fludd
) wrote passionate defenses of their ideas. At one point, perhaps dismayed by how the Rosicrucian craze was getting out of hand, Andreae tried to bring the whole thing to a halt, writing of his shock at how ridiculous the whole thing had become and that the 'game' (suggesting he had never intended for the Manifestos to be taken so literally) was now 'over'. Whether this indicates that the whole thing was a hoax or that Andreae was trying to protect something which had become public property in the wrong way is up for debate.
Over the years, many influential names have been associated with the original Manifestos including Francis Bacon
, whose initials correspond to one of the Brothers mentioned in the later group. Even Shakespeare has at times been linked to the movement, as has Dr John Dee
whose Monad Hieroglyphic appears on the front page of The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. The Rosicrucian ideal, real or not, caught the imagination of esotericists across Europe and if it had not originally existed as an Order, it began to do so as a consequence and certainly does now in a number of forms. Figures such as Elias Ashmole
and Robert Fludd identified themselves as Rosicrucians and organizations such as Freemasonry
absorbed and were deeply influenced by their ideas. Indeed the Golden Rose Cross features as an important symbol in Freemasonry and different degrees are referred to in terms of the image. In her book The Rosicrucian Enlightenment historian Frances Yates
makes a persuasuve case for the scientific, cultural and political force of the Rosicrucians particularly in Protestant Europe
subsequent to the Manifestos.
By the 19th Century the rise in interest in Esotericism
and the occult
in France
, Britain
and America
saw the founding of new Rosicrucian Orders, all claiming a connection with the original group. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
made extensive use of Rosicrucian imagery and ideas, as did Aleister Crowley
. Less flamboyant and more recent expressions of the Rose Cross include Max Heindel
's Rosicrucian Fellowship and Jan van Rijckenborgh
's Lectorium Rosicrucianum both of which pursue differing forms of Esoteric Christianity
. Both Heindel and van Rijckenborgh have written extensive commentaries on the Manifestos and the writing of Johannes Valentinus Andreae.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. They purported to announce the existence of a hitherto unknown esoteric
Esotericism
Esotericism or Esoterism signifies the holding of esoteric opinions or beliefs, that is, ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest. The term derives from the Greek , a compound of : "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward",...
order, the Brotherhood of the Rose Cross, to the world. The Fama Fraternitatis
Fama Fraternitatis
The Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis , or simply the Fama Fraternitatis, is an anonymous Rosicrucian manifesto published in 1614 in Kassel . It was translated into English in 1652 by Thomas Vaughan and published as an appendix of the 77th...
and the Confessio Fraternitatis
Confessio Fraternitatis
The Confessio Fraternitatis , or simply The Confessio, printed in Kassel in 1615, is the second anonymous manifestos, of a trio of Rosicrucian pamphlets, declaring the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were interpreted, by the society of those times, to be preparing to...
as they were known, caused an immense furore across Europe with their esoteric imagery and call for a universal spiritual and cultural reformation across the continent. To this day controversy continues whether they were a hoax, whether the Order of the Rose Cross really existed as described in the Manifestos, or whether the whole thing was a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
or ludibrium
Ludibrium
Ludibrium is a word derived from Latin ludus , meaning a plaything or a trivial game. In Latin ludibrium denotes an object of fun, and at the same time, of scorn and derision, and it also denotes a capricious game itself: e.g., ludibria ventis , "the playthings of the winds", ludibrium pelagis ,...
disguising a movement that really existed, but in a different form. Since their publication and translation into several different languages the idea of the Rosicrucian
Rosicrucian
Rosicrucianism is a philosophical secret society, said to have been founded in late medieval Germany by Christian Rosenkreuz. It holds a doctrine or theology "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which, "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe...
movement and the image of the Rose Cross itself have never gone away with many modern Rosicrucian organizations claiming spiritual
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
filiation with the original Order, such as the Rosicrucian Fellowship
Rosicrucian Fellowship
The Rosicrucian Fellowship – "An International Association of Christian Mystics" – was founded in 1909 by Max Heindel as herald of the Aquarian Age and with the aim of publicly promulgating "the true Philosophy" of the Rosicrucians....
and the Lectorium Rosicrucianum
Lectorium Rosicrucianum
The Lectorium Rosicrucianum is a worldwide school of Esoteric Christianity founded in 1935 by Dutch mystics Jan van Rijckenborgh, his brother Zwier Willem Leene and Catharose de Petri...
, or claiming an historical heritage, such as AMORC.
Appearance and content of the Manifestos
The Fama Fraternitatis and Confessio Fraternitatis appeared in KasselKassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1614 and 1615 respectively. To this day no-one knows who was behind them, although suspicion rests on Lutheran theologian and mystic Johannes Valentinus Andreae
Johannes Valentinus Andreae
Johannes Valentinus Andreae , a.k.a. Johannes Valentinus Andreä or Johann Valentin Andreae, was a German theologian, who claimed to be the author of the Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459 one of the three founding works of...
, who is thought to be Brother I A in the Fama. Even if Andreae was the prime mover in their publication (we know, for instance, that he was responsible for The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz and had a hand in the Fama as his autobiography suggests) this does not rule out the possibility of a group authorship.
The Manifestos purport to announce the existence of a two hundred year old secret order founded by the mysterious figure of Christian Rosenkreutz (Christian RosyCross in English). Both are filled with references to the Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
, Hermeticism
Hermeticism
Hermeticism or the Western Hermetic Tradition is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the pseudepigraphical writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus...
and Alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
as well as the more familiar imagery of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. As with everything else to do with the Manifestos, there is much discussion as to whether Rosenkreutz really existed as described, whether he is intended to be an allegorical figure or whether Christian Rosenkreutz was a pseudonym or spiritual name adopted by a real person after his Initiation into whatever Mysteries he encountered.
The Fama goes into detail about the founding of the order and the history of Rosenkreutz himself. He is described as a man of great learning, esoteric understanding and healing power who traveled in the Middle East in search of knowledge. He is said to have visited the Arab city of Damcar (possibly Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
) where he was met by Muslim sages and mystics (possibly Sufis
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
) 'as a friend'. There he is meant to have learned a great deal of esoteric wisdom and knowledge before returning to Europe where, having been rejected by the academic and religious authorities of the day he founded the secret Brotherhood or Order of the Rose Cross, now known as the Rosicrucians. This order is described as consisting of a group of learned men dedicated to the wellbeing of mankind who would travel the world healing and teaching and meeting annually in a specially appointed place. A brief outline of the history of the early Brethren along with the initials of their names is given.
The Fama Fraternitatis also describes the present Brothers of the Rose Cross who have continued the work of the original Order and gives an account of their discovery of the hidden tomb of Rosenkreutz. This consists of a secret vault of seven sides and three levels filled with miraculous objects and books of wisdom and learning. In the centre of the vault lies Rosenkreutz himself, his body perfectly preserved even after the passing of over a century.
The Confessio Fraternitatis continues the themes of the Fama, describing in more detail the vision of the Rose Cross of a 'general Reformation' of Europe and the creation of the invisible 'Spiritus Sancti', a community of the Spirit where the Rose Cross may flourish unseen. Like the Fama, the Confessio invites the curious and the worthy to contact the Rosicrucian Brotherhood but warns to stay away if the motivation to do so is merely riches and personal advancement. The Confessio also insists upon the firm Christian foundation of the Rose Cross movement, perhaps in response to accusations of necromancy and black magic among its detractors.
Result of the Manifestos
The printing of the Manifestos caused an enormous reaction in intellectual and occult circles in Europe with leading lights of science and learning seeking to find and make contact with them. René DescartesRené Descartes
René Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
is just one of the many cultural giants of the time who tried to reach them without success. The promise of a spiritual and cultural transformation of Europe towards a greater harmony at a time of great turmoil added to the suggestion of access to enormous esoteric and mystical knowledge proved hugely exciting and attractive to many. People announced themselves as Rosicrucians, others denounced them as charlatans, efforts to locate them were endlessly frustrated, fueling speculation that they were a hoax and yet others (such as Robert Fludd
Robert Fludd
Robert Fludd, also known as Robertus de Fluctibus was a prominent English Paracelsian physician, astrologer, mathematician, cosmologist, Qabalist, Rosicrucian apologist...
) wrote passionate defenses of their ideas. At one point, perhaps dismayed by how the Rosicrucian craze was getting out of hand, Andreae tried to bring the whole thing to a halt, writing of his shock at how ridiculous the whole thing had become and that the 'game' (suggesting he had never intended for the Manifestos to be taken so literally) was now 'over'. Whether this indicates that the whole thing was a hoax or that Andreae was trying to protect something which had become public property in the wrong way is up for debate.
Over the years, many influential names have been associated with the original Manifestos including Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
, whose initials correspond to one of the Brothers mentioned in the later group. Even Shakespeare has at times been linked to the movement, as has Dr John Dee
John Dee (mathematician)
John Dee was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy....
whose Monad Hieroglyphic appears on the front page of The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. The Rosicrucian ideal, real or not, caught the imagination of esotericists across Europe and if it had not originally existed as an Order, it began to do so as a consequence and certainly does now in a number of forms. Figures such as Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole
Elias Ashmole was a celebrated English antiquary, politician, officer of arms, astrologer and student of alchemy. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the English Civil War, and at the restoration of Charles II he was rewarded with several lucrative offices.Ashmole was an antiquary with a...
and Robert Fludd identified themselves as Rosicrucians and organizations such as Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
absorbed and were deeply influenced by their ideas. Indeed the Golden Rose Cross features as an important symbol in Freemasonry and different degrees are referred to in terms of the image. In her book The Rosicrucian Enlightenment historian Frances Yates
Frances Yates
Dame Frances Amelia Yates DBE was a British historian. She taught at the Warburg Institute of the University of London for many years.She wrote extensively on the occult or Neoplatonic philosophies of the Renaissance...
makes a persuasuve case for the scientific, cultural and political force of the Rosicrucians particularly in Protestant Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
subsequent to the Manifestos.
By the 19th Century the rise in interest in Esotericism
Esotericism
Esotericism or Esoterism signifies the holding of esoteric opinions or beliefs, that is, ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest. The term derives from the Greek , a compound of : "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward",...
and the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Britain
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
and America
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
saw the founding of new Rosicrucian Orders, all claiming a connection with the original group. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
made extensive use of Rosicrucian imagery and ideas, as did Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
. Less flamboyant and more recent expressions of the Rose Cross include Max Heindel
Max Heindel
Max Heindel - born Carl Louis von Grasshoff in Aarhus, Denmark on July 23, 1865 - was a Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic. He died on January 6, 1919 at Oceanside, California, United States.- Early infancy :...
's Rosicrucian Fellowship and Jan van Rijckenborgh
Jan van Rijckenborgh
Jan van Rijckenborgh was a Dutch born mystic and founder of the Lectorium Rosicrucianum, a worldwide esoteric Rosicrucian movement....
's Lectorium Rosicrucianum both of which pursue differing forms of Esoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity
Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a mystery religion, and profess the existence and possession of certain esoteric doctrines or practices, hidden from the public but accessible only to a narrow circle of "enlightened",...
. Both Heindel and van Rijckenborgh have written extensive commentaries on the Manifestos and the writing of Johannes Valentinus Andreae.