PREFACE
THIS translation introduces English readers for the first time to Guenon's scholarly study of the traditions surrounding the mysterious 'supreme spiritual centre' of this planet. First published in French in 1927, it remains one of the most important works on the subject and draws on a wealth of ancient, truly 'traditional', symbolisms.
The title 'Lord of the World' has been used instead of the more literal 'King of the World' to evoke, in the mind of the Englishspeaking reader, the possibility of simultaneous spiritual and temporal authority that the literal rendering of Roi as 'King' would tend to inhibit. In certain places, the translators have added a footnote, or insertion in square brackets, to clarify a point for the English-speaking reader. To avoid the complications of dealing with Guenon's French transliterations of foreign words, the translators have not included diacritical marks and, as far as possible, standard English transliterations have been used. Some unusual Latin phrases used by Guenon have been left as in the original.
The translation has been gone through by Monsieur Yeha, Guenon's heir, who has offered valuable comments and corrected certain errors. Appended to the text is a biographical note on Rene Guenon by Pietro Nutrizio, included here with the kind permission of Monsieur Yeha.
Translation extensively revised by Anthony Cheke and Anthony Blake from original drafts by Carolyn Shaffer (text) and Olga de Nottbeck (footnotes).