OF THE BAS-RELIEFS. 
627 
ceremonies; and that the connecting action of laying hold of 
hands on one side, and touching the shoulder or garment on 
the other, is to shew that chain of brotherhood which, subsisting 
amongst the alike-honoured , might extend to the next in de¬ 
gree at court; something in the style of the grand-commanders 
and knights-companions in our more modern orders of chi¬ 
valry. In this train, the tunicked and the robed have all 
the cased bow, or the dagger at the belt; which appears to have 
been as indispensable to the dress of ceremony in those days, as 
the sword is in our own times, both in Persia and in every court 
of Europe : a general usage, which, by-the-bye, very plainly 
shews the original purport of such assemblings. In the bas- 
relief upon the tomb of Nakshi-Roustam, we see that even at a 
religious solemnity, this appearance of arms was not excluded; 
for the principal personage, who stands before the altar of fire, 
leans on a bow which he holds in his hand. That this weapon 
has been the especial boast and defence of the Persians, from 
the earliest ages, we have both sacred and profane writ to testify ; 
Greek and Roman historians speak largely to this point; and 
Isaiah and Jeremiah, in the records of Israel, write of the “ bow 
and quiver of Elam.” 
Almost every one in this procession holds in his hand a figure 
like the lotos. This flower was full of meaning to the ancients, 
and occurs all over the East. Egypt, Palestine, Persia, and India, 
present it everywhere over their architecture, in the hands and on 
the heads of their sculptured figures, whether in statue or in bas- 
relief. We also find it in the sacred vestments and architecture of 
the tabernacle, and temple of the Israelites ; and see it mentioned 
by our Saviour, as an image of peculiar beauty and glory, when 
comparing the works of nature with the decorations of art. It is 
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