The Winged Sun-Disk in JW Literature

[B.A.]

The Winged-Sun-Disk
The Winged Sun Disc from Egyptian mythology which appeared on early JW
literature
(Some have claimed this is linked to UFOs and gods from outer space!)
... the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings...
Malachi 4:2 (NKJ)
The "winged sun-disk" is a symbol originating in Assyria and Egypt and has
been used by a variety of groups such as Freemasonry, Spiritists, Theosophy,
the Rosicrucians and the Bible Students (JWs). This symbol has been called
by numerous names such as the winged globe, winged-solar-disk, sun's disc,
etc. This symbol was placed on numerous Bible Student material including
editions of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures from about 1911 to 1920.
Under Rutherford's leadership this symbol was eliminated from JW literature
as it was viewed as being like the Pyramid &endash; it was Satanic.
Origins and Use of the Winged Sun-Disk
This symbol apparently originated with the Assyrians but is most identified
with the Egyptians. It is a ubiquitous symbol found in numerous forms on
temples, etc. in Egypt. What exactly is it? What does it symbolize? What was
it used for?
In the book Practical Egyptian Magic by Murray Hope it is said about this
symbol and its use in Egypt:
Emblematic of the element of air, this consists of a circle or solar-type
disk enclosed by a pair of wings. In ritual magic it is suspended over the
alter in an easterly direction and used when invoking the protection and
co-operation of the sylphs. [1]
A Masonic reference work describes it this way:
... the Winged-Disk, with the Uraei of Egypt, the original of which we find
in the text summarized by Naville in the "Myths of Horus," pII. xii.
ff.:&endash; "horus commanded Thoth that the Winged-Sun-Disk, with Uraei,
should be brought into every sanctuary wherein he dwelt, and into every
sanctuary of all the gods of the lands of the South and the North, and in
Amentet, in order that they might drive away evil from therein...." This is
what is meant by the Winged-Disks, with the Uraei, which are seen over the
entrances of the courts of the temples of all the gods and goddesses of
Egypt. [2]
Other occultic groups lay claim to the symbol and its use. A Rosicrucian
reference work says this:
The Winged Globe is pre-eminently a Rosicrucian symbol, although the
Illuminati may lay claim to it, and it may be admitted that it is of
Egyptian origin. The Winged Globe is the symbol of the perfected soul making
its flight back to the source of its creation in the Elysian fields beyond.
[3]
This use of the symbol doesn't seem to relate to the Society's use of it in
any recognizable way. Russell and Rutherford did not to my knowledge speak
of perfected souls flying back to any "Elysian fields."
Where did Russell get this symbol then and what did it mean to him? Did he
get it from Egyptian mythology? He was also clearly interested in the
hidden, spiritual significance of the Great Pyramid of Egypt and spent much
time discussing its importance. He also believed in a coming "Golden Age"
which has its parallels with Egyptian mythology that also spoke of a coming
Golden Age when the gods would come down and rule the earth and usher in a
Paradise. This seems to be the extent of any parallels between the two.
The most likely source it appears to me would be his involvement with
Freemasonry. There is some evidence that Russell was a Mason and the Winged
Sun-Disk, it is claimed, is a 33º Masonic symbol (The 33rd degree is the
highest known level one can go in Masonry). The meaning of it is supposedly,
like most other spiritual beliefs of this group kept secret by its members.
If this is the source of his use of the symbol it may explain why he never
explained why he started using it on his publications or what exactly it
meant to him. It may have been a signal to other Masons.
However, based on his statements on the "Sun of Righteousness" mentioned in
Malachi 4:2 we can get some idea of what it meant and symbolized to him.
Malachi 4:2
The "Sun of Righteousness"
Russell apparently used the winged globe symbol to symbolize the coming New
or Golden Age when righteousness would fill the earth and Paradise would be
restored. Sickness and disease would end. Eternal life on earth would become
possible for all those submitting to the beneficial rule of the 144,001 gods
from the Pleiades.
This use of the symbol was evidently derived from Malachi 4:2 which says:
And to YOU who are in fear of my name the sun of righteousness will
certainly shine forth, with healing in his wings; and YOU will actually go
forth and paw the ground like fattened calves. (NWT)
Some view this "sun of righteousness" as alluding to the Egyptian
winged-sun-disc symbol.
Russell and later the Society taught that the "Sun of Righteousness" here
referred to the Millennial reign of "The Christ," head and body. These would
rule earth from heaven in the Pleiades and "healing" would be in their
"wings." They would help mankind become free of sin and disease. Given this,
they could have viewed the "winged-disk" as a symbol of the coming
Millennial reign of The Christ despite its connection with pagan religions.
However, during the Rutherford era they stopped using it because of this
connection with Egyptian religion.
Satan and the Winged Disk
In 1921 the Golden Age published an article by Morton Edgar of Pyramidology
fame (who they later would denounce for his involvement with pyramidology)
on Egyptian mythology. In it he mentions the winged-sun-disk and its
occultic and pagan religious meanings. He wrote:
How rejoiced the poor groaning creation will be when Christ, the true "Sun
of Righteous- ness," shall arise with healing in his wings. (Malachi 4:2)
What a contrast to that cruel "sun" of unrighteous- ness, which arose with
death in his wings. Malachi's allusion to the "wings" of the sun is
evidently derived from the well-known symbol of the sun-god in Egypt and
Assyria. Above the doors of the ancient temples and tombs in these
countries, there is usually to be seen a representation of the sun-god, in
the form of a round disc with wide-spread wings.
Along with the sun as the great fire-god, the serpent was connected. Owen
says: "In the mythology of the primitive world, the serpent is universally
the symbol of the sun". (Owen, apud Davies's Druids, in note, p. 437) In
Egypt the commonest sign of the sun, or sun-god, is a disc with a serpent
around it. (Bunsen, Hieroglyphics, Vol. 1, p. 497) The original reason for
the connection of the serpent with the sun appears to have been that, as the
physical world receives its light from the sun, so the serpent was held to
have been the great enlightener of the spiritual world, by giving mankind
the knowledge of good and evil. This, of course, like all idolatry, is an
absolute perversion of the truth; but it serves to identify the sun-god with
Satan. [4]
With this identification of the symbol with Satan the Society stopped
putting it on its literature. Copies of the Studies in the Scriptures for
example starting approximately with the 1923 edition had a different cover
design and did not have the symbol on it.
An Idolatrous Symbol?
In the Awake! magazine of December 22, 1976 the Society printed an article
on idolatrous symbols. In the article they took a rare moderate position on
the subject. They said the following after reviewing several images or
"decorations" that have pagan religious roots:
With so many different designs having been used in false worship, if a
person went to the trouble and took the time he might find an undesirable
connection with almost every design he sees around him. But why do that?
Would it not be needlessly upsetting? And is that the best use of one's time
and attention? [5]
However, if the design or symbol had a clearly understood idolatrous (false
religious) meaning, Christians were to avoid it:
If a particular design or shape is commonly understood where you live to be
a religious symbol, there is good reason to avoid it. [6]
One of these religious symbols connected with a pagan god mentioned and
illustrated in the article was of the "Winged Disk" of Egypt.
So What's the Big Deal?
What is the significance of Russell's introducing without explanation the
Winged-Sun-Disk on his publications? This depends on what significance it
had for him. I have not been able to pin down to my own satisfaction
exactly, or even roughly, what it meant other than perhaps a symbol of the
coming Golden Age. That the symbol has various occultic and religious
meanings is apparent, but what did any of these have to do with Russell's
use of it? If Russell was a Mason and used it because of this, what would
this mean? This would depend on what, exactly, it means or symbolizes to 330
Masons. This is hard for me to ascertain.
Rutherford put an end to its use by the Bible Students because of some of
these occultic (Satanic they would say) connections. This was a move in the
right direction it appears to me as I can't think of a legitimate use of it
for Christians.
Other Masonic Symbols
Other Masonic symbols adorned early Watchtower Society literature. The most
famous of these is the "Cross and Crown" symbol. This is supposedly the
Knights Templar logo in Freemasonry. [7] It has also been used by numerous
other groups and individuals, many of which (such as the Theosophists) are
associated with the occult but others are regarded as Christians.
Another symbol is the so-called Knights of Malta symbol. This was put on the
cover of the Watch Tower in the upper right hand corner opposite the Knights
Templar logo. [8]
There are other symbols as well used by Russell that have Masonic origins.
Again, what significance does this have? How much was Masonry an influence
on Russell? Does it matter anyway? Given the secret nature of the group and
Russell's silence on the matter, I can't determine the significance to my
satisfaction. The secrecy and misinformation on the part of Masons has led
to speculation and incredible conspiracy theories. [9]
Footnotes and references:
1. Hope, Murry, Practical Egyptian Magic (New York: St. Martin's Press),
1984 p. 107. Quoted by Fritz Springmeier, The Watchtower & the Masons, 1990,
1992 pp. 113, 114.
2. Churchwald, Albert, The Signs and Symbols of Primordial Man,... (London:
George Allen & Co., Ltd.) 1913 p. 344. From a photo copy in Springmeier, p.
114.
3. Swinburne, Clymer, The Rosicrucians Their Teachings (Quakertown, PA.: The
Philosophical Pub. Co.), 1923 p. 112. Quoted by Springmeier, p. 115.
4. The Golden Age, May 25, 1921 p. 506.
5. Awake!, Dec. 22, 1976 p. 15.
6. Ibid.
7. Springmeier, Fritz, The Watchtower and the Masons, 1990, 1992 pp. 71-110.
8. Ibid., pp. 88, 95. Fritz does not offer any documentation that this
symbol was the same as the one on the Watch Tower's cover however.
9. The Watchtower and the Masons suffers from this. To illustrate the
secrecy of Freemasonry, I have one Masonic book in my library that is
completely written in symbols and abbreviations. I can not make heads or
tails of it. The book does have a stern warning in plain English about
copyright laws and says "This book is restricted to the use of Master Masons
ONLY in good standing. It is neither to be sold nor loaned to any other." It
is enclosed in a plain blue case of sorts that snaps shut.