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The Symbolism of the Cross in the Writings of Simone Weil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

Extract

Simone Well saw in the symbol of the cross, that focal point of Christianity, a wide range of meanings, and drew from them a corresponding variety of conclusions, some of which, of course, are at odds with orthodox Christian theology, but which demonstrate her constant care to derive as rich a significance as possible from any one image. In her search for sources she would no doubt have greeted with enthusiasm the statement of the Vedanta scholar, R. Guénon, when he says:

La croix est un symbole qui, sous des formes diverses, se rencontre à peu prés partout, et cela dés les époques les plus reculées … le christianisme tout au moins sous son aspect extérieur et généralement connu, semble avoir quelque peu perdu de vue le caractère symbolique de la croix pour ne plus la regarder que comme le signe d'un fait historique….

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

References to works of Simone Weil used in the text:

C2Cahiers II, Paris, Plon (1953).Google Scholar
C3Cahiers III, Paris, Plon (1956).Google Scholar
CSLa Connaissance surnaturelle, Paris, Gallimard, Collection Espoir (1950).Google Scholar
IPIntuitions pré-chrétiennes, Paris, La Colombe, Editions du Vieux Colombier (1951).Google Scholar
LRLettre à un religieux, Paris, Gallimard, Collection Espoir (1951).Google Scholar
SSSur la Science (Essais, Lettres et Fragments t. I), Paris, Gallirnard, Collection Espoir (1966).Google Scholar