The earliest known palindromes are in Greek, what the Greeks called "crab inscriptions" (going back or forth in either direction). A Roman word square in Latin that reads as a palindrome dates from around 79 AD : Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas / Rotas Opera Tenet Arepo Sator.

Walter O. Moeller has written:

'The Mithraic origin and meanings of the rotas-sator square' -- subject(s): Mithraism, Rotas-Sator square

The sower Arepo leads with his hand (work) the plough (wheels). this is the basic translation of the phrase, it relates to the fact that everything you do will come back times three. It means that you must do the work to see the outcome that you want.

Actually, the better answer is: "God holds the plough, but you turn the furrows" - see full conjecture at www.johntcullen.com. It is an aphorism (saying) that reminds us about two kinds of fate that govern our lives. also, children are magic in and of themselves. you must have seen the children of the grain and mr redrum, no? the way you can protect yourself is by recognizing that the creepier the kid, the more magic-e they are, and except if you always don't remember that the exception has been told to us to prove the rule, so spare the rod, use a ruler. sewer ahrep oh X and so on...

SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS

My own take is that this square represents what some call the law of reciprocity. Christians call it the law of sowing and reaping, some call it karma; but most major religions believe in the potency of this spiritual law.

I think it means:

The sower reaps what he sows and holds the wheel of fortune in his hands; or

The sower reaps what he sows and holds his own destiny in his hands.

Very useful for deflecting curses or bad intentions upon the sender.

Some biblical verses regarding the law of sowing and reaping:

Job 4:8 - As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.

Luke 6:38 - Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will it be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Thanks for giving me the time.

Ted Sator was born on 1949-11-18.