The Baha’i Ring Symbol comprises three levels, each level indicated by a
number. Together they represent the underlying belief which is the basis of
all the religions of God. They are as follows:
(1) The World of God – The Creator
(2) The World of the Prophets or Manifestation – Cause, or Command
(3) The World of Man – Creation.
The followers of all religions believe that man, left to himself, can never
recognize God and attain His presence; nor is man able to fathom the
mystery and purpose of his own creation. God, in His unlimited bounty has
singled out His Chosen Ones and will continue to do so, sending them to man
at different times and ages in order to grant him penetrating insight and
to enable him to have a glimpse of the unfading glories of the innumerable
worlds beyond.
The Prophets accept descent from their realms on high and suffer the
abasement of living in human temples, walking amongst men and speaking
their languages. The Manifestations are invariably denied, ridiculed,
humiliated and even put to death. Were it not for their spiritual
upliftment and leadership, man would have continued to live as a wild beast
and would have been eternally doomed to deprivation and loss.
These functions of the Prophets are clearly demonstrated in the design of
the Greatest Name by having the world of the Prophets (shown in horizontal
line) repeated in vertical line, thus joining the world of the Creator to
that of His creation.