I.N.R.I.

"Let us examine now one of the most conspicuous symbols of the Rosicrucian degree, the four letters I.N.R.I.

First, a remarkable parallel links this acronym with the ineffable name of the Deity in the Bible, the Tetragammaton. Both are composed of four letters, one of which is repeated. In Hebrew, the letters are Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh.

Of course, the first reaction of a reader with an elementary acquaintance with the Bible is to give a Christian interpretation to the acronym: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum, the inscription on the cross.

However, an examination of various rituals of the 18th degree in different places and times, reveals a wide range of Masonic interpretations, such as:

Igne Natura Renovatur Integra
(Nature is completely renewed by fire)

Ignis Natura Renovat Integram
(Fire completely renews nature)

Ignem Natura Regenerando Integrat
(By regeneration, nature maintains the integrity of fire)

In Nobilis Regnat Iehovah (or Iesus)
(Jehovah (or Jesus) reigns among noble men)

Iesus Nascente Ram Innovatur
(Ascending Jesus renews the branch)

Igne Nitrum Roris Invenitor
(By fire salt is extracted from dew)

Insignia Naturae Ratio Illustrat
(Reason illuminates the nature’s symbols)

Inter Nos Regnat Indulgentia
(Among us reigns goodness)

Intra Nobis Regnum Iehova
(The Kingdom of God is within us)

Iustum Necare Reges Impios
(It is just to kill impious kings)

Iustitia Nunc Reget Imperia
(Justice now reigns empires)

In Neci Renascor Integer
(In death one is reborn intact and pure)

Another explanation mentioned by Naudon claims that the four letters are the initials of Judea, Nazareth, Raphael and Judah. In Hebrew, Judea and Judah are written with an initial “I”.

Still another explanation is given by Albert Pike in his Magnum Opus: the four letters are initials of the words Infinity, Nature, Reason and Immortality.

As if all this were not sufficient, the acronym has also been attributed to four Hebrew words: Iam, Nur, Ruakh and Ieveshah, which represent the four elements: water, fire, air and earth. This requires some latitude in the interpretations, because Iam actually means sea, and only by synecdoche can it be taken to represent water.

The existence of so many and diverse explanations, formulated by different Masonic writers in the course of time, demonstrates that the literal or Biblical explanation is certainly insufficient and probably erroneous within the Masonic context."

From "An esoteric view of the Rose-Croix degree" by Leon Zeldis

All of the above interpretations would seem well in keeping with Freemasonry's potpourri of Hermetic ideas. At this time I should reiterate that I am not involved with any form of Freemasonry. I know a few Freemasons, I had a passing interest in the Craft, and I still think it's interesting. I just don't have the time or energy for any fraternities. And there's also something sort of...silly about some of what I see around here.

Anyhow, I've had a fascination with the top two interpretations for some time now, due in part to the obvious connection with the basic alchemical process, but also due to the very powerful and absolute nature of purification by fire.

"Nature is renewed by fire." This is indeed seen in the case of the controlled burning of woodlands, where areas are selectively and carefully burned by professionals to prevent dead and highly-flammable trees from igniting during storms and threatening perfectly healthy trees in proximity.

Certain crops require a complete burning after harvest, and new seeds must be sown in order for the next harvest to occur.

"Nature", or, the course of events, sees organisms which are unfit for their particular environment weeded out. The fossil record shows us countless examples of subspecies which become extinct, replaced by more fit variations. In man's case, the unfit are sometimes seen to be supported by society, even allowed and encouraged to flourish, which allows for a rapid decline in the overall health of our species. Man once selectively destroyed the unfit (or dangerous) among him in order to preserve the better, but this is not practiced as often, neither is the species as prone to being culled by disease. War exists, as it will always. Thank whatever you believe in for that.

Theories abound on where this is heading.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the principle of purification and renewal by destruction is intriguing and undeniably polarizing. That nature benefits from destruction is easily seen. But where does the human species fit into "nature"?