Greetings!

This is a question relating to The Satanic Bible and Anton LaVey. Above the 9 Satanic Statements is a symbol for brimstone/sulfur.

Like this one.

I was just wondering if there is any record of why Anton LaVey chose to use it in TSB where he did? With so few symbols in TSB it seems even more significant that he chose it... When it does come up in symbol dictionaries the definition does not seem to go far beyond that it is an alchemical symbol for the element sulfur/brimstone.

I read somewhere that it was used in TSB in mockery of christianity (i.e. brimstone = xian hell) which would seem in line with LaVey's humor

Carl G. Liungman's website (and symbol dictionary) states - A sign from alchemy for sulphur, brimstone, black sulphur, or black mercuric sulphide. The [brimstone] sign is a synonym...(which I don't quite understand ). Also, it is one of many alchemical symbols for sulfur, not the only one (so why use that one?).

Did he perhaps just enjoy the aesthetics of that brimstone symbol? (it is very attractive).

The top half of the symbol looks exactly like the cross of lorraine... which when perched on the back of an ouroboros or Leviathan (the infinity at the bottom of the symbol) would also be quite humorous (and perhaps relate to the 9th Satanic Statement?).

Could I please receive some advice on this?

Thankyou in advance!

"Did he perhaps just enjoy the aesthetics of that brimstone symbol? (it is very attractive).

The top half of the symbol looks exactly like the cross of lorraine... which when perched on the back of an ouroboros or Leviathan (the infinity at the bottom of the symbol) would also be quite humorous (and perhaps relate to the 9th Satanic Statement?)."

Yes, it could mean this as well and he probably simply prefered the aesthetics of that symbol.

The reason for using it, 'fire & brimstone' is obvious.
HS!

Dr. LaVey's use of the symbol pre-dates any special fuss over the Cross of Lorraine, which mostly stems from HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL, not published until 1982.

It is an impressive symbol with traditional underworld significance.

So much can be seen in symbols! Especially by breaking them down. Carl G. Liungman's symbol dictionary is very detailed, and goes into the meanings of even a single verticle line etc. Symbols are like their own language... more even! Love it



Yes And that's more than sufficient, I think! A symbol with the same name as the xian hell above the Satanic Statements is consistent with everything else in TSB!

I just wanted to check if there was any more to it, anything personal.

Thankyou so much Magister Lang and Magister Svengali!