It is believed by some the Rose Cross originated as a Christian symbol of the first century, relating to the blood of Christ and its redemptive qualities, leading to eternal life. The cross is symbolic of resurrection and rebirth. The rose symbolizes the stages of nature and spiritual attainment. The Rose and Cross was later adopted by the Rosicrucians, an esoteric secret society that originated during the Renaissance period. The rose symbolized the redemptive power of the blood of Christ; the symbol as a whole illustrated the triumph of spirit over matter. A deeper, hidden significance of the symbol is the union of the rose of Mary with the Cross of Christ, the union of Anima and Animus, or that of Man and Woman in the highest sense.