[Vorschlag zur Errichtung eines Erinnerungsdenkmals für Dr. Franz Hartmann]
Translation from the German by Robert Hütwohl[i]
Death has taken the tireless champion of spiritualization, Dr. Franz Hartmann, to whom we owe the introduction of theosophical ideas in Germany. With him departs a personality worthy of being honored by all researchers of truth for all time. For Hartmann, in a materialistic epoch, faithfully stood by the standard of idealism, which is all the more to his credit as he was a trained physician. Far away from the philistine hustle and bustle of the world, he only lived, strived and suffered to explore the truth. Only death took the pen from his hand, to which we owe so many beautiful, deep and witty writings. These writings are among the best that have been written in the German language. Even if they were not intended for average people, but rather presuppose a certain spirituality, one can nevertheless assume that with increasing intellectual progress his thoughts could gradually become the common property of all. But this requires the faithful cooperation of those who appreciate Hartmann’s striving.
From the large circle of his admirers came the suggestion to erect a monument to the deceased at a place where he stayed, so that the world can see that he will continue to be with us and so that those who have not known him before will be made aware of him. The modest man, who lived an almost hidden life as an idealist, deserves the thanks of posterity, since it makes his occult life at the same time a public one. Because what was once occult should one day be generally accessible. Hartmann lived on in his writings: but he should continue to tell of his philosophical mission in stone and ore—and of the gratitude of the German people.
I.
The monument should be erected in a place where he stayed and where it will be seen by many people. A memorial on his grave is therefore of little use. It would be best erected in a beautiful spot in Reichenhall. It is said to have the shape of a fountain (similar to the new fountain at the port of Lindau). A wall in the shape of a Greek funerary stele (roughly made of white sandstone) rises above the water basin. On it you can see Hartmann’s medallion, above it the five-pointed star of initiation, to the right and left the figures of white and black magic. Below is a young man who drinks the water of life from a fountain surrounded by lotus and gushing out of the rock. The water pours into a basin formed by stylized lotus flowers.
Beside this stele is a lower wall which depicts in a sgraphitto painting on the left the scene of Arjuna, the hero of the Bhagavad-Gita, translated by Hartmann, seated on the chariot and being tutored by his divine charioteer Krishna (education of the higher Self, Youth). On the right you can see the scene from the Song of Roland, where the dying hero, left alone on the battlefield after a victorious fight against the heathen, holds out his glove to God, which the archangel Gabriel accepts (death of the magician after a life full of activity, entrance into Nirvana) .
Stone benches in front of the wall, on the left the coat of arms of the Theosophical Society, on the right the sign of the Rosicrucians. Golden dedication inscription under the water basin. Behind them dark cypresses, in front of them a lawn with forget-me-nots.
II.
A commemorative medal is to be struck, showing Hartmann’s head on one side and the Aryan coat of arms on the other, as depicted in the publication “The Aryan Movement an Ethical Movement (Leipzig by Dr. Vollrath), namely a golden double-headed eagle in a silver field, on his breast he wears a green shield with the coat of arms of the Theosophical Society (without the serpent), i.e. two triangles with Solomon’s bowl in them. Behind the heraldic animal of the Aryan race you can see a purple cross running through the shield. On the shield rests a golden helmet with a purple helmet cover, white on the inside, and a white lotus flower between golden eagle wings serves as ornament. The inside of the medal around the coat of arms is filled with a wallpaper design depicting golden lilies.
The ribbon on which the medal can be worn shows the Aryan colors, purple, white and gold (purple with a white stripe and gold edges).
The bronze medal is awarded (three each year) by the Board of Directors of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, the General Secretary of the German Section and the Secretary of Dr. Hartmann donated [Theosophical] Society. So 9 bronze medals can be distributed each year; a silver is awarded jointly by the 3 named individuals each year. A gold one can be bestowed by the donor of the medal (who gives the money for it) to those who have rendered services to the Aryan cause, i.e. to regenerate humanity. The ribbon is light blue with golden lilies.
There is no mark of recognition for writers devoted to the rebirth of our race. The Aryan Medal meets a need.
III.
A Hartmann library is to be set up (preferably in Leipzig), which will contain all of the author’s writings and essays. They should be available in as many copies as possible and be loaned to interested parties all over the world.
A postcard with Hartmann’s picture is intended to draw attention to this.
IV.
A four-page leaflet is to be printed. The first contains a short biography, the second a list of all his works and articles, the third an explanation of his monument, the fourth passages from his writings.
V.
A memorial plaque is to be erected at Hartmann’s death house in Kempten.
VI.
The Committee for the Erection of a Hartmann Memorial Sign declares itself to be the Hartmann Society after it has been erected and admits other interested parties as members if they undertake to pay an annual fee. The same is to be used to cover the cost of the library and medals. Seat is Leipzig. Clubs, cities, etc. can also become members.
VII.
The society should commission someone to write a detailed biography of Hartmann. A “Hartmann breviary” would also have to be produced, consisting of the best passages from his writings.
Dr. Grävell (Harald Arjuna),
Bad Schachen bei Lindau,
Villa Brodersen.
August 1912.
Note:
[1] Suggestion as to the Establishment of a Memorial for Dr. Franz Hartmann [Vorschlag zur Errichtung eines Erinnerungsdenkmals für Dr. Franz Hartmann. Dr. [Paul Harald] Grävell. Neue Lotusblüten 6, no. 3-4 (March-April 1913), 113-119] {This article was reformatted from the original, but with the content unchanged other than fixing minor typos. Translation from the German by Robert Hutwohl, ©2025}