9827. And a miter. That this signifies intelligence and wisdom, is evident from the signification of “a miter,” as being intelligence and wisdom. A “miter” has this signification because it is a covering for the head, and by “the head” are signified the interior things of man that belong to intelligence and wisdom (see n. 9656). All articles of clothing derive their signification from the part of the body which they cover; as for instance that which covers the breast, like the breastplate; that which covers the loins, like the breeches; that which covers the feet, like the stockings; that which covers the soles of the feet, like the shoes; and so likewise that which covers the head, like the miter, the tiara, the cap.

[2] That such is the case is evident from the representatives in the other life. When wisdom and intelligence are taken away from spirits, as is the case when angelic societies are removed from them, the covering of the head appears to be taken away from them; and as soon as this is done they become stupid, and have no perception of truth and good; but afterward, as intelligence and wisdom return, the head is again covered. But in that life the coverings of the head do not so much signify the wisdom which is of good, as the intelligence which is of truth. The miter which belonged to Aaron, however, signifies wisdom also, because it was of fine linen, and the crown of holiness was placed upon it, which was a plate of pure gold, on which was engraven “Holiness to Jehovah” (of which below in this chapter, verses 36-38; and also in Exodus 29:6; 39:28). But “the miter of linen,” and the other garments of linen, which also were for Aaron, signified the intelligence that is of truth; but not the wisdom that is of good (concerning these garments and this miter, see Leviticus 16:4; Ezekiel 44:18). For “linen” signifies truth in man’s natural (n. 7601); thus a “miter of linen” denotes natural intelligence.

[3] They who do not know how the case is with representatives and correspondences, can with difficulty be led to believe that such things are signified. But let them consider that in heaven spiritual things are perceived in the place of natural things; thus that in place of the miter, and in general in place of garments, such things are perceived as belong to intelligence and wisdom, and also to faith and love; in general such things as belong to truth and good; for all these are spiritual things, because heaven is a spiritual world. Let them consider also that the garments of Aaron were described and commanded by Jehovah on Mount Sinai, and that therefore within every detail there is the Divine celestial, and this is unfolded solely by means of knowledges about correspondences and representatives.

9656. And they shall be twinned from beneath, and they shall be twinned together at the head of it. That this signifies conjunction from the exterior and from the interior, is evident from the signification of “being twinned,” as being to be acted upon conjointly; from the signification of “from beneath,” as being from the exterior (for that which is outside is expressed in the Word by “beneath,” and that which is within by “above,” see n. 3084, 4599, 5146, 8325, whence things deep down denote exterior things, and high things denote interior things, n. 2148, 4210, 4599); and from the signification of “the head,” when it is said “from beneath unto the head,” as being from the interior. That this is signified by “the head” is because the head is above the body, and as just said, by higher things are signified interior things. And besides, the interior things of man are in his head; for in the head are the beginnings of the senses and of motions, and the beginnings are the inmost things, because from them the rest are derived, the beginnings being like the veins yielding springs, from which are brooks.

[2] It is for this reason also that interior things are expressed in the Word by “the head;” as in Isaiah:

Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day (Isaiah 9:14).

Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head and tail, branch and rush, may do (Isaiah 19:15).

In these passages the subject treated of is the church, the interiors of which are “the head,” and the exteriors “the tail.”

[3] Again:

On all heads is baldness, every beard is shaved (Isaiah 15:2);

“baldness on the heads” denotes no good and truth in the interiors; “the beard shaved,” no good and truth in the exteriors.

In Jeremiah:

Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Asshur. And thy hands shall be upon thy head; in that Jehovah hath abhorred thy defenses (Jeremiah 2:36-37);

thus is described shame on account of the goods and truths of the church which have been destroyed through memory-knowledges and the reasonings from them. “Egypt” denotes memory-knowledge; “Asshur,” reasoning therefrom; “the hands upon the head” denotes to cover the interiors for shame. In like manner in another passage:

They were ashamed, and disgraced, and covered their head (Jeremiah 14:3; see also 2 Samuel 13:19).