Mankind aspires to the World in various ways. Everyone in his heart realizes that this creative action prophetically expresses the New Era. Inappropriately, judgments are made about the preference for a certain type of bullets or a convention that determines what is closer to World Unity - one or two battleships with long-range guns. But let us imagine even such deadly reasonings as primitive steps to the same great concept of the World, which will someday curb the militant instincts of mankind with the spiritual joys of creation.
But the fact still remains that the guns of even one of the chosen ironclads can destroy the greatest treasure of art and science as well as an entire fleet. We mourned the library of Louvain and the irreplaceable beauties of the cathedrals of Reims and Ypres. We remember the many treasures of private collections that perished during the world's turmoil, but we do not want to enter words of hostility. Let's just say - "Destroyed by human delusion and restored by human hope." But all the same, pernicious delusions in one form or another can be repeated, and new sets of monuments of human exploits can again be destroyed.
Against these delusions of ignorance, we must take immediate action. Even at the beginning, these measures of protection will yield many useful consequences. No one will deny that the Red Cross flag has rendered invaluable services and reminded the world of humanity and compassion. To this end, the draft International Peace Treaty safeguarding all the treasures of Art and Science under an internationally recognized flag is presented by our Museum to foreign governments. By this project, which was submitted to the State Department and the Committee of Foreign Relations, a repetition of the atrocities of the last war, when so many cathedrals, museums, book depositories and other treasures of the creations of human genius were destroyed, was to be prevented. This plan provides for a special flag to be revered as international neutral territory; this Banner should be raised over museums, cathedrals, libraries, universities and other cultural centers. My plan, presented by our Museum, was processed according to the code of International Law by the Doctor of International Law and Political Sciences of the University of Paris, lecturer at the Institute of International Sciences G. G. Shklyaver, in consultation with Professor Albert Joffre de la Pradelle, member of the Hague Peace Court, Vice President Institute of International Law and a member of the Sorbonne Faculty. Both are honorary advisers to our Museum.
The first paragraph of the Pact says: "The educational and artistic institution, the artistic and scientific Missions, their personnel, property and collections must be recognized as neutral and as such must be protected and respected by the warring parties."
"The protection and respect of the said institutions and missions shall be under the sovereignty of the contracting Powers, without distinction as to the nationality of each said institution."
When the idea of an international Flag of Culture was first announced to me, we were not at all surprised that it was met with general interest and enthusiasm. Experienced statesmen were amazed that something similar had not been done before. When we asked our honorary advisers Dr. Shklyaver and prof. Joffre de la Pradelle put this project into international formulas, we soon received a beautifully formalized International Treaty, which was accompanied by ardent universal sympathy.
This International Flag of Culture for the protection of Art and Science does not belittle anyone or violate anyone's peaceful interests. On the contrary, it raises the world's understanding of evolutionary treasures. It helps the values of future creativity and in its essence leads to the great concept of Progress and Peace. In this understanding, in creative striving, the concept of the World becomes more real. This Banner, as the Guardian of the World, will remind you of the need to catalog all the cultural treasures of the world. It is not difficult at all, and in some countries it is already almost completed, but still there are many gaps and every conquest of the world consciousness must be welcomed.
The flag of the Red Cross needs no explanation even for the most uncultured minds. Similarly, the New Banner, this Guardian of cultural treasures, speaks for itself. It is not difficult to explain even to a savage the importance of guarding the treasures of Art and Science. We often say that the cornerstone of the future Culture rests on Beauty and Knowledge. Now we have lived to act in this blessed field and must act without delay. The League of Nations, which is working for International Accord, cannot rise up against this Banner, for it is one of the signs of peaceful unity.
It is no coincidence that this idea arose on the soil of America. By its geographical position, America, less than other countries in wartime, is in danger of such destruction. Because this proposal comes from a country whose treasures are less exposed to the said danger, this further emphasizes that the proposed flag is a symbol of the whole World, not one country, but the entire Civilized World.
The proposed Banner has three connected amaranth Spheres on a white background in a circle as a symbol of Eternity and Unity. Although we do not know exactly when this Banner will fly over all cultural monuments, it is certain that the seed has already grown. It has already attracted the attention of great minds and is rushing from heart to heart, awakening once again among the multitudes of people the idea of Peace and Goodwill.
It is imperative to take immediate measures to protect from danger the noble heritage of the Past for the glorious Future. This will happen when all countries solemnly swear to protect the treasures of Culture, which in essence belong not to one people, but to the World. In this way, we can create another approach to the flowering of Culture and Peace.
New York.
March, 1930
From the collection Nicholas Roerich. Power of Light. ALATAS, 1931
BANNER OF PEACE
They ask to collect where there are signs of our Banner of Peace. The sign of the trinity was spread all over the world. Now they explain it differently. Some say that this is the past, present and future, united by the ring of Eternity. For others, the explanation is closer that this is religion, knowledge and art in the ring of Culture. Probably, among the numerous similar images in antiquity, there were also all kinds of explanations, but with all this variety of interpretations, the sign as such was established throughout the world.
Chintamani - India's oldest idea of the happiness of the world - contains this sign. In the Temple of Heaven in China you will find the same image. The Tibetan "Three Treasures" speak of the same. In the famous painting by Memling on the chest of Christ, the same sign is clearly visible. It is also on the image of the Strasbourg Madonna. The same sign is on the shields of the crusaders and on the coats of arms of the Templars. Gurda, the famous Caucasian blades, bear the same sign. Can't we distinguish it on philosophical symbols? It is also on the images of Geser Khan and Rigden-Japo. He is also on Tamga Tamerlane. He was also on the papal coat of arms. It can also be found in old Spanish paintings and in a painting by Titian. He is on the old icon of St. Nicholas in Bar. The same sign on the ancient image of St. Sergius. He is on the images of the Holy Trinity. It is also on the coat of arms of Samarkand. Sign in both Ethiopia and Coptic antiquities. He is on the rocks of Mongolia. He is on Tibetan rings. The horse of happiness in the Himalayan mountain passes carries the same sign, shining in flames. He is on the breast brooches of Lahul, Ladakh and all the Himalayan highlands. He is also on Buddhist banners. Following in the depths of the Neolithic, we find the same sign in pottery ornaments.
That is why a sign was chosen for the All-Unifying Banner, which has passed through many centuries - or rather, through millennia. At the same time, the sign was used everywhere not just as an ornamental decoration, but with a special meaning. If we collect together all the imprints of the same sign, then perhaps it will turn out to be the most common and oldest among human symbols. No one can claim that this sign belongs to only one belief or is based on one folklore. It can be especially valuable to look into the evolution of human consciousness in its most diverse manifestations.
Where all human treasures must be protected, there must be such an image that will open the secrets of all human hearts. The prevalence of the sign of the Banner of Peace is so great and unexpected that people sincerely ask whether this sign was reliable or if it was invented in later times. We had occasion to see sincere amazement when we proved the prevalence of this sign from ancient times. Now humanity in horror turns to troglodyte thinking and proposes to save its property in underground storages, in caves. But the Banner of Peace speaks precisely of principle. It asserts that humanity must agree on the universality and universality of the achievements of human genius. The banner says: "noli me tangere" - do not touch - do not offend the Treasure of the World with a destructive touch.
From the collection: Nicholas Roerich. Diary sheets. Volume 2 (1936 - 1941), M.: MCR.1995
BANNER OF PEACE
Conference in Belgium
At the end of the Kali Yuga, grave and, as it were, invincible difficulties weigh down humanity. Many supposedly insoluble problems suppress life and divide peoples, states, communities, families... The people hopelessly try to solve them with materialistic resourcefulness, but even the greatest colossi of mechanical civilization are shaken. Every day brings new confusions, clashes, misunderstandings and false interpretations. Life is filled with many little lies. Everything that inspires and calls upward becomes something shameful and inaccessible in the eyes of the ignorant. This is how the Vishnu Puranas describe the end of the Kali Yuga.
But the same Puranas proclaim also the blessed Satya Yuga. What a great concept, what Grace, first of all, will be at the basis of this purification and transformation of life. Of course, it will be that Grace by which all containment, all that is beautiful, everything that inspires and everything that uplifts are united. Truly, this will be the great concept that humanity understands under the word Culture. It is to this greatest concept that we direct all our best thoughts and creativity. In this realization, let us reveal the ancient wisdom for a valiant future. To the glory of this treasure, let us also realize our mutual high responsibility and let us not interfere with each other solemnly bearing this tabernacle of Light. Let us understand the daily work not as a disgusting shackle, but as Pranayama, which awakens and coordinates our highest energies. Let us not waste a day or a night for sowing the blessed seeds of refinement and uplifting of the spirit and for bringing culture to the broad masses.
For this great Service, our peace treaty with the Banner of Peace was proposed for the protection of all the cultural treasures of mankind. Our great Rabindranath Tagore, who is one of the most enlightened patrons of culture, writes to us the following about the Peace Pact:
“I have closely followed your wonderful achievements in the field of art and your great humanitarian work for the benefit of all peoples for whom your Peace Pact, with its banner for the protection of all cultural treasures, will be an extremely effective symbol. I sincerely rejoice that this Pact has been adopted by the Museum Committee of the League of Nations, and I feel deeply that it will have enormous consequences for the cultural harmony of peoples."
We were not surprised to receive so many enthusiastic responses about our Banner of Peace. The past is filled with horrifying and irreparable destruction. We see that not only during the war, but also with all other delusions, the treasures of human genius were ruthlessly destroyed. At the same time, the chosen ones of humanity understand that no evolution is possible without these accumulations of Culture. We understand how unspeakably difficult the paths of Culture are, but the more carefully we must guard the accesses leading to it. Our urgent duty is to create the traditions of Culture for the younger generation. Where there is Culture, there is Peace. There is a feat, there is a correct solution of the most difficult social problems. Culture is the accumulation of the highest Grace, the highest Beauty, the highest Knowledge. Mankind can in no way be proud that it has done enough for the flourishing of Culture. After ignorance we reach civilization, then we get education, then comes intelligence, then refinement, and after that synthesis opens the gates of high culture. We must confess that our precious exclusive treasures of art and science are not even fully catalogued. If the Banner of Peace gives impetus to at least this manifestation, then this alone will be a colossal achievement. How many useful and beautiful things can be achieved by the simplest means. Let us imagine the World Day of Culture, when at the same time in all schools and educational institutions of the whole world the true treasures of the nation and humanity will be proclaimed. Among the many expressions of enthusiasm, we must note the profound movement of the women of America. At the last meeting dedicated to the Banner of Peace, the representative of half a million women V.D. Sporborg vouched for their support of the Banner of Peace. The sympathy of three million women has now been received. The list of organizations, societies, museums, libraries, schools, scientists and statesmen who have expressed their ardent hope that this project will come to life is long. Several institutions have already raised our Banner over their treasures. The Museum Committee of the League of Nations, chaired by J. Destreil, Belgian Minister, unanimously accepted this project. And now, thanks to the initiative of Mr. K. Tulpink, under the auspices of the Marquis Adachi, President of the Permanent International Court of Justice in the old city of Bruges, a special Conference has been organized, for which a broad program has been worked out. In connection with this conference, the proposed League of Cities, united by the same Banner of Peace, deserves great attention. K. Tyulpink and other enlightened figures warmly united on this idea. A letter from Paris informs us that our friend the poet Marc Chenot has been authorized to represent the ancient city of Rouen. An important pamphlet by Dr. GG Shklyaver entitled "The Roerich Pact and the League of Nations", originally published in the International Law Review, has just been received. The author warmly recommends the Covenant from the point of view of international law. Verily, the safeguarding of the treasures of Culture belongs to those all-unifying foundations on which we can unite amicably without any miserable feelings of envy and malice. We are tired of destruction and denial. Positive creativity is the basic quality of the human spirit. Everything in our life that can uplift and ennoble our spirit must have a dominant place. The milestones of the glorious past from early childhood direct our spirit to a wonderful future. Believe me, it is not a truism to talk about the urgency of striving for Culture. If some ignoramus finds that this idea is unnecessary and superfluous, tell him: "Poor ignoramus, stay out of evolution, but remember that we are a whole army and we will not deviate from the idea of the Banner of Peace in any way. If you create obstacles, we will turn your obstacles to opportunity."
Remember how many most useful undertakings can be so easily introduced into life. I return to my long-standing idea of the world day of Culture, when at the same time, under one banner, a bright word will be heard all over the world about the treasures of the culture of the people, the world. The cenotaphs remind us only of the past, but everything connected with Culture, with countless glorious martyrdom and gigantic deeds, will direct our minds to the future. Just think with what small means humanity, in unity, can create a tradition of high value for the younger generations!
Truly, I would like to welcome the Bruges Conference as the beginning of the League of Culture. I would like all the members and friends of the Conference to joyfully converge on this all-encompassing, generalizing, ennobling thought. In such a movement, we could set a fine example for all those who, in ignorance, divide, dismember, and destroy. Without a doubt, the inner significance of the Conference in Bruges will be very remarkable and will open new gates for all future glorious constructions in the field of culture. The conference in Bruges will not be the moth that scorches its wings at the first flame. It forms that luminous legion, whose fiery wings will grow in harmony with the feat of great beauty and glorious necessity.
In the city museum of Padua there is a painting by Guariento "Angels of the World". An angelic council gathered in a solemn circle. Each angel holds a sphere as an all-encompassing sign and a branch of the world, which in the hand of an angel is harsh, like an invincible sword. This picture comes to me when I think about our Conference. Angels are benevolent, but adamant. I imagine the legions of Peace and Culture just as benevolent and inflexible.
Let us greet all those who, overcoming personal difficulties, bypassing miserable selfishness, direct their spirits to the preservation of Culture, which above all will bring a brilliant future.
Raise up the beautiful necessity of Culture by all means. If we had other definitive greatnesses at our disposal, we would have to use them when speaking of the most significant concept of the world.
We should not be afraid of enthusiasm. Only the ignorant and spiritually powerless can sneer at this great and pure feeling, but such mockery is nothing but a sign of a true legion of honor. It would be terrible if, in the case of great revelations, the words "small" and "insignificant" were used as definitives. We must protect ourselves in every possible way from the most shameful action - from belittling. This would mean decomposition. Nothing can prevent us from serving the formation of Culture, insofar as we ourselves believe in it and insofar as we give it our best ardent thoughts.
Don't belittle! Great Agni burns drooping wings. Only in harmony with evolution can we ascend, and nothing can extinguish the disinterested fiery wings of enthusiasm.
1931 Shantiniketan
From the collection Nicholas Roerich. Power of Light. ALATAS, 1931
Books of the Teaching of Living Ethics
There can be no international agreement and mutual understanding without culture. Popular understanding cannot embrace all the needs of evolution without culture. Therefore, the Banner of Peace contains all subtle concepts that will lead peoples to the concept of culture. Humanity does not know how to show respect for what is the immortality of the spirit. The Banner of Peace will give an understanding of this great meaning. Mankind cannot flourish without knowledge of the greatness of culture. The Banner of Peace will open the gates to a better future. When countries are on the way to destruction, even the less spiritual must understand what the ascent is. Truly, salvation is in culture. Thus the Banner of Peace brings a better future.
Verily, the Banner of Peace will unite all cultural tasks and give the world the achievement that is so needed. Thus, those who carry striving quest will respond to all affirmations. The nations, verily, will unite under this Banner.
The time when the Fire-Color is revealed cannot be easy. The Banner of Peace is not given in the bazaar. Thus, let us be united in a single invincible striving.
Therefore, the most terrible thing is the apostasy and belittling of the Teacher. Thus, when We put into practice a new affirmation, one must strive with all one's spirit on the path of the fulfillment of the Higher Will. Therefore, when We affirm the great significance of the Banner of Peace, one must accept it in spirit. Verily, thus the salvation of the world will come! The time is great, the time is so significant!
Thus, in the Age of Fire, when Light is fighting darkness, the appearance of the Banner of Peace is the main sign that will give a new step to humanity. Thus, Beauty, Knowledge, Art and all peoples will unite under this sign. So only the highest measures are applicable to the Banner, truly!
It is difficult to dismember the three basic natures in oneself. Of course, fiery fragments will be fragmentary. Should it be? Only descent into the darkness of chaos pushes back the wholeness of the Fiery Image. Thinking about the three foundations can enrich the idea of the three bodies, but it is one thing to start thinking, and quite another to continue and develop thinking.
Letters
The Banner of Peace, the Unity of Women in the name of the New Era of Culture, there are two gigantic historical tasks
Now I just want to tell Radna that she wrote beautifully about the school and the museum, but pointed out in vain that the main significance of the Banner of Peace is to save lives. This value, I must say, is the least, and we, the Master's disciples, should understand this! War is terrible not with death, but with the horrors of destruction and mutilation. In addition, many epidemics claim much more victims than wars. Didn't the Spanish influenza exceed the death rate from the last war? A busy and short life often gives the spirit much more advancement. How terrible it is to drag out a long, burdened with infirmities and aimless old age! Thus, death should not be regarded as a disaster, but as a bright opportunity for new accumulation and advancement. Of course, I say this only for you, because many sentimental people see only this goal of the Banner of Peace, and if their consciousness does not contain them, they should not be stipulated, even if they support the great Banner from this angle. The main goal of the Banner of Peace is to unite the consciousnesses of the whole world on the understanding of cultural values, on the realization of the self-sufficing and guiding significance of the creativity of the human spirit, leading to the realization of the Hierarchy of Beauty and Knowledge. And there are other meanings that Oyana will tell you better.
Now all our thoughts and aspirations are directed to the Convention in Washington. Many fierce battles take place near the Banner, and the line between Light and darkness is clearly marked. We are told to mark all who are against the Banner, for this will be the true division of Light and darkness. And it is wonderful to see that all those who have refused to participate in this Convention in one way or another are supporters of the recognition of atheists. But there are many bright signs, and everything is developing as it has long been indicated. Therefore, in a cheerful mind, we continue to advance our cultural work and follow the planned milestones, which rise so timely and definitely at every turn.
In the year of the anniversary of the Roerich Pact, we are trying anew to comprehend the symbol of the Banner of Peace, the Sign is so laconic in its form and multifaceted in meaning that it is impossible to give its simple definition.
Such is the explanation of the Sign for modern man. But there is no doubt that the interpretation of the Sign, which is closest to the idea of the Pact (religion, science and art, united by culture), is the latest, since these concepts themselves arose in the European mind no earlier than the Renaissance, when the beginning of the opposition of the secular and religious art; the final separation of religion, science and art occurred in the Enlightenment, and in subsequent centuries these three areas of human spiritual activity developed independently of each other, although not in isolation.
Moreover, the European opposition of religion, art and science is completely alien, for example, to the countries of Buddhism, where, right up to the rapid invasion of European civilization, there was cultural syncretism, that is, a single development of all areas of human spiritual activity. If we turn to the history of the Sign, going back millennia for at least six thousand years, then, of course, in ancient cultures there could be no opposition between art, religion and science!
From this it does not follow at all that such an interpretation of the sign is incorrect - no, it is only the latest, applicable to the Banner raised in Bruges, but not to the oldest (and simply ancient) images of the Sign.
Oddly enough, the same must be said about the interpretation of the Sign as a triunity of times in the circle of Eternity. As A. Govinda wrote, the human mind first of all realizes the reality of space and much later - the reality of time; this is because the sense of space is associated with the movement of the body, while the sense of time is associated with the movement of the mind. Scientists have long proven that in ancient and archaic cultures, time was either not recognized as a category (for example, in epic songs, the hero is either eternally young or eternally old), or it was thought of as cyclic, moving along an annual (or long-term, or centuries-old) circle. So, for example, in the sacred lines of the ancient Indian Rigveda ("Book of Hymns", XII-X centuries BC), the victory of the thunder god over the serpent can be in the past, in the future or in the present, and the exploits of the gods of ancient Scandinavia generally take place outside time.
So, the concept of three times in the circle of eternity belongs only to highly developed civilizations; The sign of the Trinity is much older than these ideas. To penetrate into its ancient symbolism, we need to turn to the universals of human thinking, that is, those ideas that are stored in our subconscious and pass through the entire history of mankind.
According to such prominent scientists as K. Levi-Strauss, Vyach. Sun. Ivanov and V.N. Toporov, since ancient times, human thinking has been based on paired oppositions (male-female, high-low, life-death, etc.). However, the mediator (mediator) between the two opposites plays the most significant role; for example, in the opposition between people and animals, the mediator will be a half-man-half-beast (the main character of ancient myths), and in the opposition between gods and people, a demigod is in the center (Greek Hercules and Achilles, Babylonian Gilgamesh, Indian Rama, Krishna, Mongolian Gesar, Russian Volkh, Scandinavian Sigurd and countless others). The paired opposition and its mediator constitute a triad in which the middle one has the qualities of two opposites. Such a triad can be symbolically represented either as three partially overlapping circles (as the Neoplatonists conveyed the idea of the relationship of spirit, soul and body), or as three circles, where one is above or below the other two. That is, in the form of a Sign chosen by Roerich. In modern terms, the oldest meaning of this symbol is the union of opposites.
Discussing the mediator-mediator, we gave examples from myths-narratives. However, the subconscious ideas that underlie our thinking can be expressed not in the form of a text, but in the form of a pictorial image. At the same time, universal structures manifest themselves not only and not so much through logical comprehension, but through emotional perception of the world, that is, a person (especially an ancient one) could depict a symbol of the union of opposites unconsciously, obeying an inner impulse. This explains the inclusion of the Sign in countless ornamental compositions, starting with Neolithic ceramics. However, in the most ancient agricultural cultures, a dot probably denoted a sprout, and three dots, respectively, could denote either seedlings or a half-blown sprout. Thus, another ancient meaning of this symbol is nascent life. Once again, it should be emphasized that the Neolithic artist, covering the vase with an ornament, rather followed his emotions, impulse; the logical explanation of symbols comes much later and is always secondary to the sign. It runs through all cultures in one form or another: three points in a triangle, subconsciously perceived as a good sign, they decorate household items - from Ancient Egypt and Homeric Greece to classical Japan.
It is difficult to interpret the symbolism of the Sign in pagan cultures, be it the Mongols, the peoples of the Caucasus, the Scythians, the Slavs or the Finno-Ugric peoples. One thing is certain: the three dots are not just an ornamental motif, they represent a sacred symbol, which can no longer be precisely defined. This probably also includes the image of a shamrock on the clothes of a priest from Mohenjo-Daro (pre-Aryan civilization in the Indus Valley, IV-II millennium BC); the shamrock has also become a symbol of Ireland, and although legend connects the veneration of the shamrock with the sermons of St. Patrick, this plant was probably revered in Ireland before Christianity.
In many mythologies and religions, the concept of the trinity develops in one way or another. Initially, it is associated with the category of space. So, in India, starting from Vedic times, there was an idea of the Three Worlds (initially: heaven, earth and air between them), which was then inherited by Buddhism, where images of kamadhatu arose ("world of passions", it includes the earth, the underworld and the worlds gods bound by passions), rupadhatu ("the world of forms", the level of high consciousness) and arupadhatu ("the world without forms", the level of the subtlest consciousness). In the archaic beliefs of the Altaians or Yakuts, there are three levels of the universe - earthly, heavenly and underground.
A series of successive convergences of archaeological data suggests another version of the interpretation of this symbol. The correlation of the rock paintings of Central Asia with the cult of fire dates back to Poppa; This was also pointed out by the Roerichs in their works. The well-known solar and fiery symbol is the swastika, a cross with curved ends. However, this sign may not be four-pointed, but three-pointed, when the ends are rounded, three spirals appear, interconnected - they retain the meaning of a fiery or solar sign. As a solar sign, they can be perceived as the sun in three positions (dawn, noon, sunset), we find a parallel to this in the wooden carvings of Russian huts; in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" the sun is called "bright".
Archaic thinking is alien to digital counting, since an archaic person has an extremely developed visual memory, which is no longer available to representatives of modern civilization. The absence of a digital account in antiquity can be seen from the grammar of the Indo-European languages, where there are three faces of the verb (the first is “I”, the second is “you”, the third is “he”), and in ancient times there were three grammatical numbers (singular, dual, plural ), that is, everything that is more than two was perceived as "three" and as "many" at the same time. Hence the tripling as a sign of plurality: the three-headed serpent in myths (= over-gluttony), the three fairy-tale kingdoms (= the infinity of otherworldly space), the three difficult tasks performed by the hero (= testing all possible qualities), and so on. Hence the tripling as a sign of completeness: for example, a magic spell works if it is pronounced three times, in myths the plot is built on the principle of three tests of the hero (preliminary, main, identification), and the battle of the hero with the monster consists of three stages.
Finally, the triad (later - the trinity) becomes the basis of many religious and philosophical systems. In the Mediterranean, the veneration of the triad began in Egypt, where almost every major city had its own triad of gods, consisting of mother, father and son (the most famous is Isis, Osiris, Horus). In Athens under Pericles during the Great Dionysius, three tragic poets had to present three tragedies each. Above we have already mentioned the triad of Neoplatonists "spirit-soul-body".
The ideogram of the Christian Trinity is the countless images of the Sign on sacred images, on the vestments of clergy and on knightly weapons. Three points as a symbol of the Trinity guarded the knight in his military and peaceful labors. It seems that the famous bindings of Gothic windows, ending with three circles, are also connected with this; however, it may also be an ornamental motif.
Half a thousand years before Christ, the trinity became a sacred symbol of Buddhism. "Buddha-Dharma-Sangha", that is, the Buddha, his Teaching and his Community were called Triratna, "Three Jewels" and later began to be depicted as three precious stones, embraced by the flame of a high spirit. Then, in philosophical Buddhism, the concept of Trikaya, the Three Bodies of the Buddha, arose: dharmakaya is the body of the Law, the highest essence, beyond any form and color, it is like an infinite space; sambhogakaya - a semi-embodied body of bliss, defined as endless manifestations of wisdom, a perfect Teacher, whom only a few can see, and nirmanakaya - an embodied body, the human form of the Enlightened essence, for example, Shakyamuni Buddha as a living person. At the level available to ordinary Buddhists, there is a triad of levels of knowledge: ignorance, logical knowledge and higher, intuitive superknowledge - they are iconographically transmitted as three lotus flowers (a bud that has barely opened and blooms magnificently), which Tara, the goddess of mercy, holds in her hands.
It is worth paying special attention to the symbolism of this triple lotus. The Buddhist teaching, which largely coincides with the Living Ethics, puts the logical understanding of the world at no more than an average level, while the highest knowledge is intuition, "knowledge of the heart." The perception of an image is always richer, broader, more meaningful than any specific definition. That is why we will not look for an exact and simple answer to the question of what exactly the Sign symbolizes. Any of the definitions given in this article is correct - and any, being called only correct will turn into a mistake. In the words of N.K. Roerich, "no one can claim that this sign belongs to only one belief or is based on only one folklore" .
"The sign of the Trinity turned out to be spread all over the world ..." - wrote Nicholas Roerich. Being not only an artist, philosopher, public figure, but also one of the most prominent archaeologists of his time, he knew perfectly well how ancient and widespread the Sign he had chosen for the Banner of Peace was. The universality and cross-cultural nature of this Sign was the reason for the election. The most ancient sign of goodness, completeness, the union of opposites is close to all peoples - and is inherent in almost all.
It only remains for us to quote, which has become a classic. We will not comment on it, since this entire article is, in fact, a detailed explanation of the words of Nicholas Roerich: "Chintamani - India's oldest idea of the happiness of the world - contains this sign. In the Temple of Heaven in China you will find the same image. Tibetan "Three Treasures" speak of the same. In the famous painting by Memling on the chest of Christ, this sign is clearly visible. It is also on the image of the Strasbourg Madonna. The same sign is on the shields of the crusaders and on the coats of arms of the Templars. Gurda, the famous Caucasian blades, bear that the same sign. Can't we distinguish it on the philosophical symbols. It's the same on the images of Geser Khan and Rigden Djapo. It's also on the tamga of Tamerlane. It was also on the papal coat of arms. It can also be found in ancient Spanish paintings and in the Titian. It is also on the ancient icon of St. Nicholas in Bar. The same sign is on the old image of St. Sergius. It is also on the coat of arms of Samarkand. It is also in Ethiopia and on Coptic antiquities. It is on the rocks of Mongolia. It is in Tibetan their rings. The horse of happiness in the Himalayan mountain passes carries the same sign, shining in flames. He is on the breast brooches of Lahul, Ladakh and all the Himalayan highlands. He is also on Buddhist banners. Following in the depths of the Neolithic, we find the same sign in pottery ornaments.
That is why the same sign was chosen for the all-unifying banner, which has passed through many centuries - or rather, through millennia.
We examined the three circles themselves, but the symbolism of the Banner is richer; the circumference and selection of colors were introduced into this ancient sign by Nicholas Roerich himself, who found a surprisingly accurate addition to the archaic image.
The circle in the archaic worldview means integrity, completeness. In a sense, the circle is a symbol of the universe, the Earth, which was once thought of as a disk. In many mythologies, the earth is surrounded by world waters, which look like a river, where the Great Serpent lives. Such, for example, is the Scandinavian Jörmungandr or the Mediterranean snake of eternity biting its own tail. However, the circular boundary of the universe can be not only flat, but also spatial - for example, the Vedic hymns speak of the wall of the Great Waters (like a thousand columns), over which the world-keeper Varuna rules. Even these few data (the volume of the article does not allow to give all possible parallels) is enough to assert that the circle in archaic mythology means not just the universe, but the border that separates the world of people, the World of Order from the external Chaos.
Such is the universal meaning of the circle on the Banner of Peace. However, there is another parallel that should not be forgotten. This is a circle in Buddhist iconography associated with the image of Maitreya.
There is no need to recall the significance that the cult of Maitreya achieved in the first half of the 20th century. N.K. Roerich noted in many of his works that all of Asia was engulfed in messianic aspirations associated with the Future Buddha. According to the sacred Buddhist texts, the Bodhisattva Maitreya currently resides in the sky of Tushita, from where he will descend to earth in due time. So what is the iconography of the Tushita sky?
The collection of the International Center of the Roerichs contains a beautiful thangka (Buddhist icon), which symbolically represents this high level of the universe. Without dwelling on its symbolism in detail, let us pay attention to the rainbow circle, in which the image of the Tushita sky is enclosed. The paradise of Sukhavati is depicted in a similar way. In the form of a sacred circle, Buddhist artists paint the sacred country of Shambhala, the iconography of which corresponds to the image of the Wheel of the Law, that is, the symbol of the Buddha's Teachings. The image of the Wheel of the Law passed through two and a half thousand years, it was embodied on the famous Lion capital of the Ashoka column, which became the emblem of independent India.
Thus, in Buddhist art, the circle initially symbolizes the Teachings of the Buddha and the highest ideas about the good, and the good is not material, but spiritual, achieved only by the person himself through tireless work on himself. There is not the slightest doubt that this symbolism was well known to N.K. Roerich and used by him consciously or intuitively.
The Banner of Peace is not only an ideogram, but also colors: dark red on lilac white. The color scheme is very simple, and the more powerful its symbolic meaning, the more subconscious associations it causes.
White, red and black are the most ambivalent (two-digit) colors. They equally embody the image of both life-giving and otherworldly principles. We do not say "deadly", because in the archaic worldview (preserved as a subconscious in modern man) there is no analogue to the modern tragic and catastrophic concept of death: being is perceived as a cycle, where the end of one is followed by the beginning of another, and in particular, life in the world of people - life in another world.
No matter how much we list the values of white and red, our list will not be complete. Therefore, from the whole variety of their meanings, we will choose only those that seem to most clearly correlate with the Banner of Peace.
The Banner of Peace is a symbol of the Roerich Pact, the first ever International Treaty for the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments, which was signed in Washington on April 15, 1935. According to the definition of Nicholas Roerich himself, this Banner symbolizes the Red Cross of Culture and is called upon to protect all the cultural treasures of mankind. Therefore, it is also called the Banner of Culture and is a universal unifying sign for all peoples on the basis of Culture.
The Sign of the Banner of Peace - the Sign of the Trinity - is one of the most ancient symbols of mankind. The Banner of Peace has three amaranth circles in a ring on a white background, symbolizing the unity of the past, present and future in the space of Eternity; synthesis of art, science and religion in the ring of Culture; three keys of life - love, beauty, knowledge, the Christian Trinity, etc. It is difficult to find a more suitable symbol that unites all peoples and races, which has passed through millennia of human history. Based on this, the Sign of the Trinity was chosen by N.K. Roerich for the Banner of Peace - the Guardian of the highest treasures. "... This Flag is the emblem of the world, not only of one country, but of civilization as a whole! "(Nicholas Roerich)
Banner of Peace
They ask to collect where there are signs of our Banner of Peace. The sign of the trinity was spread all over the world. Now they explain it differently. Some say that this is the past, present and future, united by the ring of eternity. For others, the explanation is closer that this is religion, knowledge and art in the ring of culture. Probably, among the numerous similar images in antiquity, there were also all kinds of explanations, but with all this variety of interpretations, the sign as such was established throughout the world.
N.K. Roerich. Chintamani
That is why a sign was chosen for the All-Unifying Banner, which has passed through many centuries - or rather, through millennia. At the same time, the sign was used everywhere not just as an ornamental decoration, but with a special meaning. If we collect together all the imprints of the same sign, then perhaps it will turn out to be the most common and oldest among human symbols. No one can claim that this sign belongs to only one belief or is based on one folklore. It can be especially valuable to look into the evolution of human consciousness in its most diverse manifestations.
Chintamani - India's oldest idea of the happiness of the world - contains this sign. In the Temple of Heaven in China you will find the same image. The Tibetan "Three Treasures" speak of the same. In the famous painting by Memling on the chest of Christ, the same sign is clearly visible. It is also on the image of the Strasbourg Madonna. The same sign is on the shields of the crusaders and on the coats of arms of the Templars. Gurda, the famous Caucasian blades bear the same sign. Can't we distinguish it on philosophical symbols? It is also on the images of Geser Khan and Rigden-Japo. He is also on Tamga Tamerlane. He was also on the papal coat of arms. It can also be found in old Spanish paintings, and in a painting by Titian. He is on the old icon of St. Nicholas in Bar. The same sign on the ancient image of St. Sergius. He is on the images of the Holy Trinity. It is also on the coat of arms of Samarkand. A sign both in Ethiopia and in Coptic antiquities. He is on the rocks of Mongolia. He is on Tibetan rings. The horse of happiness in the Himalayan mountain passes carries the same sign, shining in flames. He is on the breast brooches of Lahul, Ladakh and all the Himalayan highlands. He is also on the Buddhist banners. Following in the depths of the Neolithic, we find the same sign in pottery ornaments.
Where all human treasures must be guarded, there must be such an image that will reveal the secrets of all human hearts. The prevalence of the sign of the Banner of Peace is so great and unexpected that people sincerely ask whether this sign was reliable or whether it was invented in later times. We had occasion to see sincere amazement when we proved the prevalence of this sign from ancient times. Now humanity in horror turns to troglodyte thinking and proposes to save its property in underground storages, in caves. But the Banner of Peace speaks precisely of principle. It asserts that humanity must agree on the universality and universality of the achievements of human genius. The banner says: "noli me tangere" - do not touch - do not offend the treasures of the world with a destructive touch.
Image in the Temple of Heaven. China
Three Jewels. Embroidery. Mongolia
Coat of arms of Samarkand
Icon of Saint Nicholas
Andrei Rublev. Trinity
Matteo Giovanni. Madonna and Child with Two Angels
Fragment of the image of Tamerlane
The Dome Cathedral
Pottery of Ancient Greece
Ceramics. China
Hans Memling. Christ with angels praising God the Father
One of the most common symbols of civilization is the so-called trinity sign, which is three circles or three hemispheres connected in the form of a triangle. This sign is present everywhere from Ancient Egypt and archaic Greece to classical Japan. At one time, the artist and thinker Nicholas Roerich paid close attention to this symbol. Surprised by its prevalence in various cultures and traditions, Roerich called this symbol the “Banner of Peace” and noted: “This symbol is of great antiquity and is found throughout the World, therefore it cannot be limited to any sect, organization, religion or tradition, but also personal or group interests, because it represents the evolution of consciousness in all its phases. He also notes the uncertainty of the symbolism of this sign: “in pagan cultures, be it the Mongols, the peoples of the Caucasus, Scythians, Slavs or Finno-Ugric peoples, the symbolism of the sign cannot be unambiguously interpreted. One thing is certain: the three dots are not just an ornamental motif, they represent a sacred symbol , which cannot be accurately determined.
In 1929, on the initiative of Roerich, the sign in the form of three red circles enclosed in a large circle was approved as a symbol of the Pact of Culture (International Agreement on the Protection of Cultural Monuments).
The prevalence of this sign can already be judged from Roerich's article.
Roerich N.K. "BANNER OF PEACE"
They ask to collect where there are signs of our Banner of Peace. The sign of the trinity was spread all over the world. Now they explain it differently. Some say that it is the past, present and future, united by the ring of eternity.. For others, the explanation is closer that this is religion, knowledge and art in the ring of culture. Probably, among the numerous similar images in antiquity, there were also all kinds of explanations, but with all this variety of interpretations, the sign as such was established throughout the world.
Chintamani - India's oldest idea of the happiness of the world - contains this sign. In the Temple of Heaven in China you will find the same image. The Tibetan "Three Treasures" speak of the same. In the famous painting by Memling on the chest of Christ, the same sign is clearly visible. It is also on the image of the Strasbourg Madonna. The same sign is on the shields of the crusaders and on the coats of arms of the Templars. Gurda, the famous Caucasian blades bear the same sign. Can't we distinguish it on philosophical symbols? It is also on the images of Geser Khan and Rigden-Japo. He is also on Tamga Tamerlane. He was also on the papal coat of arms. It can also be found in old Spanish paintings, and in a painting by Titian. He is on the old icon of St. Nicholas in Bar. The same sign on the ancient image of St. Sergius. He is on the images of the Holy Trinity. It is also on the coat of arms of Samarkand. A sign both in Ethiopia and in Coptic antiquities. He is on the rocks of Mongolia. He is on Tibetan rings. The horse of happiness in the Himalayan mountain passes carries the same sign, shining in flames. He is on the breast brooches of Lahul, Ladakh and all the Himalayan highlands. He is also on the Buddhist banners. Following in the depths of the Neolithic, we find the same sign in pottery ornaments.
That is why a sign was chosen for the All-Unifying Banner that has passed through many centuries - or rather, through millennia. At the same time, the sign was used everywhere not just as an ornamental decoration, but with a special meaning. If you put together all the prints of the same sign, then perhaps it will turn out to be the most common and oldest among human symbols. No one can claim that this sign belongs to only one belief or is based on one folklore. It can be especially valuable to look into the evolution of human consciousness in its most diverse manifestations.
Where all human treasures should be protected, there should be such an image that will open the secrets of all human hearts. The prevalence of the sign of the Banner of Peace is so great and unexpected that people sincerely ask whether this sign was reliable or whether it was invented in later times. We had occasion to see sincere amazement when we proved the prevalence of this sign from ancient times. Now humanity in horror turns to troglodyte thinking and proposes to save its property in underground storages, in caves. But the Banner of Peace speaks precisely of principle. It asserts that humanity must agree on the universality and universality of the achievements of human genius. The banner says: "noli me tangere" - do not touch - do not offend the treasures of the world with a destructive touch.
Subsequently, in 1935, during the Mongol expedition, Roerich again meets a familiar image and notes “The rock of the Shara Muren monastery is all dotted with blue signs of the Banner of Peace. On the Circassian blades, the gourdes have the same sign. From the monastery, from sacred objects to the battle blade, the same sign is everywhere. On the shields of the crusaders you can see it, and on the tamga of Tamerlane. On old English coins and on Mongolian seals, the same sign is everywhere. Does not this ubiquity mean that it must be remembered everywhere? Doesn't it mean that unifying and reminder signs live everywhere on top of separate folk designations, if only to make out and remember them firmly? Both conditions: to discern and to remember are equally necessary.
In the future, there were more and more new manifestations of this symbol in the cultures of different times and peoples. Moreover, in addition to the “classic” sign in the form of a composition of three circles, there are also many stylizations, for example, a continuous image of circles in the form of a shamrock. (Many examples of the use of this sign, recorded by researchers, can be found in the review article by E. Matochkin "The Sign of the Banner of Peace in the art of Eurasia and the work of N.K. Roerich",
Below are some illustrations that allow you to get an impression of the inclusiveness and stylistic diversity of the “sign of three circles”.
ill. Three circles on a stone plate of the Upper Paleolithic period (about 30 thousand years BC), found in the territory of Khakassia (1), on petroglyphs from Ireland (2) and Puerto Rico (3)
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ill. Sign of three circles on ceramics from Ancient Greece (1,2) and China (3)
ill. Three circles on a Sumerian tablet
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ill. Three circles on jewelry from Ancient Egypt, Crete and Khakassia
ill. Items found on the territory of Ancient Russia (1), Mordovia (2), Khakassia (3)
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ill. Ornaments on a Celtic cross, a Japanese kimono and a priest's robe from ancient (pre-Aryan) India
ill. Symbols of the Swedish ruler Birger Magnusson (engraving of the 17th century)
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ill. Ornaments decorating European cathedrals
ill. Ornaments on the Cairo mosque, the Shaolin temple (China) and the mausoleum of the Tokugawa dynasty (Japan)
