IN ANCIENT TIMES the Strait of Gibraltar was called the Pillars of Hercules. They marked the end of the known world and often times the gates of the Underworld, although Plato would teach that Atlantis was located beyond them. In myth they were created by Hercules when he divided a mountain, forever separating Africa and Europe. In time a tradition developed that the two mountains had the words “non plus ultra” (nothing further beyond) inscribed to warn ships.

Thousands of years later the Spanish would cross the Pillar of Hercules and discover the New World. With the myths in mind, the Spanish would take the Pillars and make it a symbol of the empire. The motif is, to this day, depicted on many seals/coat of arms across Spain and the Americas from San Diego to Peru.

The motto “plus ultra” began as a personal motto for Charles V and became the motto of the Spanish Empire after his death. An inverse of the ancient warning, encouraging Spanish explorers to ignore it and go beyond.

New World Christendom