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Headquarters Hall

The Hall of Unity

Theosophy or the perennial wisdom, being the root of all religions, proclaims their unity. The Headquarters Hall symbolizes that unity. On entering the hall, one sees in the alcove behind a marble platform a figure in plaster of H. P. Blavatsky modeled from Schmiechen's portrait of her.  The statue bears an inscription in Latin by Colonel Olcott: 'HPB Amicitiae nostrae testimonium. H.S.O. 8.5.1899'.  When Colonel Olcott passed away in 1907, a plaster statue of him was placed by the side of Madame Blavatsky and an inscription engraved on the pedestal: 'The Founders of the Theosophical Society: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky 1831-1891-Henry Steel Olcott 1832-1907'.

Along the walls of the hall are bas-relief symbols and figures: those on the north, east and west represent living religions-Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and the Baha'i religion.  The south wall represents the extinct religions.  In the west is a large board on which are inscribed the names of all the Sections of The Theosophical Society with the dates of their formation.  The Theosophical Society, with its motto, There is no Religion higher than Truth, is represented by its symbol on the south side.  On the north side are pedestals bearing the busts of Colonel Olcott, the President-Founder, and Annie Besant, the second President.