ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The Rosicrucian Movement or the Order of the Rose Cross is a system that emerged and was recognized in the 17th century, through three specific goals aimed at a particular category of Western people. This system is considered strict by many old and new Rosicrucians as: a secret school, aiming to help the spiritual development of humanity.

The movement is a spiritual and cultural phenomenon that originated in Europe in the early 17th century after the publication of several texts claiming to reveal an unknown esoteric system until then, making the search for knowledge attractive to many. The obscure doctrine of the system "is based on the esoteric facts of ancient history," which "has been hidden from ordinary man and provides a discerning view of nature, material universe, and spiritual world." Data does not provide detailed information about this issue, but it clearly collects references to Kabbalah, Hermeticism, Alchemy, and Christian Mysticism.

The data of the Rosicrucians promised a "comprehensive reform of humanity" through a science that was allegedly kept secret for decades until it could be accepted by the intellectual climate. Disputes arose about whether it was a hoax, whether the "Order of the Rose Cross" existed as described in the data, and whether it was entirely an allegory hiding a movement that already existed but in a different form.

In 1616, Johann Valentin Andreae was known by his name "Bodinbrion". Some esoteric scholars suggest that this statement may have been made by Andrea later to protect himself from the wrath of religious and political institutions at the time, which were intolerant of freedom of expression and the idea of "comprehensive reform", which he associated with.

An example of a Rose Cross symbol preceding the early Rosicrucian declaration is one found on a central panel of the Harpavil threefold, which is Byzantine and dates back to the 10th or 11th century. The symbol consists of a cross of Calvary with a rose in its center, identical to what Manly P. Hall claimed was the original Rose Cross symbol.

In his work "The Sea Post" (1617), Rosicrucian Michael Maier (1568-1622) described the Rose Cross as originating from "the primitive tradition" in the following statement: "Our origins are Egyptian, Brahmanic, derived from the secrets of Elusis and Samothrace, Persian Magi, Pythagoras, and Arabs."

Through the promise of spiritual transformation during a great turmoil, the data influenced many personalities to seek esoteric knowledge. 17th-century philosophers such as Maier, Robert Fludd, and Thomas Vaughan were interested in the Rosicrucian worldview. According to historian David Stevenson, it was influential on Freemasonry as well as emerging in Scotland.

In later centuries, much of this was limited to a specific category and claimed by communities that they derived from original Rosicrucians. The most significant and influential of these communities was the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which consisted of many members known, including British Alister Crowley. Another is the Rosicrucian Fellowship, an international fraternal organization that participates in various educational and cultural activities worldwide.

History - Origin
The history dates back to the establishment of the Brothers in 1614 published by Christian Rosenkreutz, who was first published with only his initials, Christian born in 1378 in Germany, from a conservative and simple family. He began his education at age four in a monastery where he learned Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and magic.

In 1393, accompanied by a monk, he visited Syria, Egypt, and Morocco, where he studied with masters of obscure secret arts. After the death of his teacher in Cyprus, Christian returned to Germany in 1407 and founded the Brothers (Vater).