Hellenistic Mystery Religions

A bookplate features the seal of the University of California. The seal is circular and sits within a rectangular border. Inside the seal, an open book appears with a star shining above it. The left page of the book says "Let there be" and the right page says "light" original Latin: "FIAT LVX". The circular border around this image contains the text "Seal of the University of California" original: "SIGILLVM VNIVERSITATIS CALIFORNIENSIS". The date "1868" original: "MDCCCLXVIII" is at the bottom. Below the seal, a small rectangular box contains the text "From the library of" original: "EX LIBRIS". At the bottom of the composition is a large, empty rectangular frame meant for a name or shelf mark.

Sigillum means seal or signet. It often refers to an official mark of authenticity or authority. Universitas Californiensis is the Latin name for the University of California. Fiat Lux is a Latin phrase from the biblical Book of Genesis. It translates to "Let there be light." It serves as the university motto, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge. MDCCCLXVIII represents the year 1868 in Roman numerals. This is the year the University of California was established. Ex Libris is a common Latin phrase meaning "from the books." It is used on bookplates to indicate ownership of a volume within a specific library or private collection.