Liber
The Mithraic Origin and Meanings of the Rotas-Sator Square
Moeller interprets the square as a Mithraic construction encoding cosmological, numerical, and theological structures of Roman mystery religion, rather than an early Christian cryptogram.
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The New Mithraeum
My intention in this study is to propose a comprehensive resolution of the ROTAS-SATOR enigma in which I maintain the following points:
- The square is Mithraic, for the Mithraic triad is present: Saturnus-Aion, Sol Invictus and Mithra.
- The words of the square can be construed in several ways, three of which give meanings consistent with Mithraic thought.
- Besides the PATER NOSTER-A/O cross, there are at least four other anagrams that have theological import.
- The square is fundamentally a number-square form which the following numbers can be calculated: 666, 7, 360, 2,520, 432,000, 25,920 and 2,160,000.
- Our symbols are represented in the square: the cross, the triangle, the circle and the square
- In addition to the ΑΩ symbolism, there are numerous indications of a connection between the magic square and Mithraism on the one hand and the Apocalypse of St. John on the other
- In composing the square the above numbers dictated the choice of the letter-numbers.
Consequently the word-meanings and anagrams where all the more striking as proofs of the Mithraic faith. In short, then, I shall argue that the ROTAS-SATOR square was the product of the syncretic paganism of the Roman Empire.
