1845.] On the Buddhist Emblem of Architecture. 639 



on the hieroglyphic sculptures of Egypt ; sometimes by itself, some- 

 times rising from a sort of lamp, or cresset, (fig. 11). Champollion 

 mistook it for a "tear" (^S XX^ )> and therefore consigned to it, in his 

 phonitic system, the power of an " R." 



There is another symbol of frequent occurrence on Boodhist coins, 

 especially on the one which you did me the favour of submitting to my 

 inspection, and of which a description and explanation has appeared in 

 the Journal of the Society. I give a representation of that side of the 

 coin on which that symbol occurs, (fig. 12). In the paper alluded to, 

 I declared that to a person acquainted with Boodhist cosmology, 

 there could not be the slightest doubt, but that the whole of that side 

 of the coin was intended as a symbolic representation of former uni- 

 verses in general, and of this universe in particular. And I moreover 

 declared, that although I could not give any definite interpretation to 

 the symbol occupying the centre, shewn detached at fig. 13; yet 

 that from its relative position, and granting that my interpretation 

 of the rest was correct, there was no doubt in my own mind that 

 it was meant to represent this world in particular. I am glad to be 

 able to say, that the whole of my views in reference to that coin, 

 have since met with the valuable acquiescence of a friend, (Captain 

 Phayre, Assistant Commissioner of Arracan,) who is not only deeply 

 read in Boodhist literature, but has likewise an extensive collection of 

 these coins. It is singular, however, that the following simple inter- 

 pretation of that symbol, should not have occurred to me at the moment. 

 We know that among the cabalists, as well as among others whose 

 systems originated in the same source, the triangle with its apex up- 

 wards typified " fire," as did that with its apex downwards, " water." 

 In the antient system of ideographic representation, when an object was 

 represented repeated more than once, it signified " plurality, reiteration," 

 in reference to that object. Now the two sets composing this figure 

 are so represented, with their points meeting in a circle, (the universe), 

 having a point within it (this globe) ; thus symbolising the reiterated 

 effects of fire and water upon this mundane universe ; which agrees 

 exactly with Boodhist cosmology ; for according to it this world has 

 continually been alternately destroyed by fire and water ; whence its 

 Pali name langa, from lau, " reiteration, to be again and again." 



Yours faithfully and truly, 



Tiios. Latter. 

 4 R 



