Why the symbol?
Because he liked his knowledge warm from the cow.
Not skimmed or pasteurized or homogenized. Above all not canned in any kind of container.

The sublimest of ideas is totally diferent from the cosmic mystery it's supposed to stand for. And the beautiful sentiments connected with the sublime idea - what do they have in common with the direct experience of the mystery?
Nothing whatsoever.

His ideal was pure experimental science at one end of the spectrum, and pure experimental mysticism at the other.
Direct experience on every level and then clear, rational statements about those experiences.