The illustration to the right is a reproduction
of the frontispiece from the original Libretto of Die
Zauberflöte. It was engraved and printed by one of Mozart's fellow
Masons in the Lodge Zur gekrönten Hoffung, Ignaz Alberti, in
Vienna in 1791. This frontispiece was so rich in esoteric
symbolism that it was eliminated from all later editions of the
At first glance, to the uninitiated, the picture
seems to depict some sort of a Middle Eastern archaeological dig.
However, to a knowledgeable Mason and/or Rosicrucian the following
could be noted:
The center of the engraving shows a
large stone double arch, the central pillar of which contains a
series of bas reliefs or friezes of a totally obscure nature. The
lowermost frieze may contain the symbol for the Gnostic God Abraxis.
Hanging from the arch in the upper center of the engraving is a
chain with a five-pointed star attached to the end of it. The center
of the star contains a niche from which a flame sprouts. Apparently,
this flame is the sole source of illumination for the entire scene!
This shining star reminds me of the most famous and mystical verse
in the entire Koran known as Al Nur (Surah 24, Verse 35)! In the
center foreground is the body of a living man or a perhaps a corpse.
Living or not, the man is staring directly at the flaming star!
Behind the arch is a brick structure which some sources believe may
be a temple of initiation. Just above the frame of the doorway to
this building is a large cross with equal sides. Some people
consider this building to be an alchemist's laboratory complete with
an oven or furnace. If so the cross could represent the four
elements. I personally have no idea what this building is supposed
The left side of the engraving shows part of a
fully illuminated pyramid on which is carved eight identifiable
symbols. Six of the symbols seem to be associated with all of
the seven planets known to the ancients: Venus in
conjunction with the Sun (topmost symbol), Mercury (lower left of the Bull's head),
right of the Bull), Mars (upper right of the Bull), Saturn by the
two crossed snakes on the lower left, and the Moon on the right side
of the Ibis bird. The Bull's head is the astrological sign for
Taurus and the Ibis bird shown with a snake in its mouth symbolizes
the alchemical process of putrefaction. Taken altogether, these
eight symbols suggest an astrological date (when Venus in
conjunction with the Sun is in the constellation of Taurus and the
Moon is full) during which the alchemical process of putrefaction is
to take place. The date for this process to commence appears
to be early in the month of May!
The right side of the engraving shows a large
porcelain vase standing on a pedestal. The very top of the vase shows
a pair of copulating dogs! Just below the dogs are several pairs of intertwined (copulating?) snakes. The middle part
of the vase shows a series of encircled animal heads which may
represent faces of demons or of death. On the pedestal are two
squatting figures with apelike bodies and human heads attached by
chains to the lower part of the vase. These creatures probably
represent alchemists as they are people who seek to imitate or "ape"
the natural world. Also, the posture of these creatures seems
reminiscent of the Gargoyles who guarded the Medieval Gothic Cathedrals.