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Symbolic Language and Freemasonry

A very brief commentary

Rev James E. Walsh Chaplain, District 9 (2009)

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While awaiting initiation as an Entered Apprentice, we were informed that Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and symbol – yet few of us ever receive any instruction, or are encouraged to seek such as regards the symbolism and allegories of the craft.

 Even more distressing is the widespread belief the symbols can have any meaning one wishes them to have, which has led to well meaning but often confused “instruction” and even conflicting points in ritual, that would be quite amusing to any who have understanding.

Symbolism, or more correctly, iconography is an ancient and very precise means of communication that is effective across cultures, languages and the ages.  The same symbols, with identical meanings, are to be found in use in ancient cultures from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the Orient and even the Americas and beyond. It is perhaps helpful to consider symbols to be like letters of an alphabet and that the message being conveyed is dependent upon the relationship and context of the symbols (letters). Should a person miss the significance of relationship of letters (symbols) some error of interpretation could well occur with meaning missed or incorrectly assigned. For an example, consider the word “DOG” and the word “ GOD”. The same symbols (letters) but depending upon how one reads what they see, considerably differing meaning (although my own pet would not agree with that).

While in-depth treatment of the Craft lies well beyond our intent here, we will attempt to explain the very first level of the veneer of symbolic language – believe me, our work is much deeper in meaning than we would believe.

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Our requirements for membership include: HOLD BELIEF IN DEITY, BE A MAN, OF LAWFUL AGE, FREE-BORN, OF GOOD REPORT AND WELL RECOMMENDED. We take these at face value- perhaps there is something more. A cursory consideration:

 

            BELIEF IN DEITY: note- no doctrinal/theological test or implication other than the singular “Deity” in contrast to “deities”. The test is belief in Deity. This establishes that the individual in question has an understanding of a value/morality system. This would be a basic need for any close association of individuals, particularly a fraternity such as ours.

             MAN: this seems to be obviously a gender item; however, it may be more than that. “Man” is also used in a non-gender manner (some forms of our fraternity consider this non-gender and have female members) and is also reference to the special creation- “man” being in the image of God... A candidate must, then reflect that relationship, particularly in regard to an acknowledgement of Deity. In addition, one who seriously accepts the “image of God” must also accept the total equality of all mankind as all are of the same source.

            LAWFUL AGE: No agreement can be made with those who cannot make them. Lawful age is reference to both legal requirements – and to the age of reason. Where an individual recognizes that there is a Law of Deity, a system of relationships which are approved/ordained by Deity is acknowledged. This locks into the “MAN” as well as the “FREE BORN” requirements.

            FREE BORN: This is often confused with the issue of slavery, which is only one facet The Craft requires that each candidate make a free choice in regard to membership. Anyone who is under control (mental as well as physical) cannot in truth make a free choice. Minors, those under guardianship, etc. or those who are under control of any organization or dogma which can select their life style cannot make free will choices and would not be proper candidates. The second facet of” Free Born” here is an ancient allusion, referenced in Lev. 25:39-55, that a man in Israel (which actually means: a believer in God who is active in his faith) cannot be a slave but must always be considered a free man. The flip side: one who is not “a man of Israel” is not free born.

            OF GOOD REPORT: primarily a reference to reputation.

            WELL RECOMMENDED:   the candidate’s reputation and life style are known and approved by those who are already members. The Craft requires a candidate to have a 100% favorable ballot (well recommended) which assigns responsibility to all members. No vote is cancelled by another; also, if we all agree to the acceptability of the candidate, any fault later discovered cannot be dismissed as being another’s problem or fault. We all equally bear responsibility and are called to help in the correction.

            Note: we use a white ball (sphere) and a black cube to cast ballots. There is some symbolism here:

            Circle: symbol of eternity, the eternal one, the spiritual (no beginning/no end)

            Square: symbol of firmness, stability, organization, construction, material

A three dimensional figure implies intensification of a two dimension figure.

            White: illumination, enlightenment, purity

            Black: two applicable classes-1) ignorance, unenlightened, evil, impure

2) Hidden knowledge

Note: in symbolic language, blue= black …we are a blue lodge

Taken together, the cube and square represent the totality of the earthly (cube) and the totality of the spiritual (sphere). When we cast our ballot we symbolically declare our understand of the quality of the candidate to be either oriented towards the earthly/material/finite and to be unenlightened/ignorant (the black cube)

OR oriented towards the spiritual/heavenly/infinite and to be seeking enlightenment/knowledge

 

Having been accepted, we are brought to the door duly and truly prepared.

Neither naked nor clothed: clothes represent deceit, the hiding and masking principle. There is also a totemic reflection as identification of clan or other relationship. Nakedness implies innocence, vulnerability carnality, shame and wickedness. Neither is appropriate and the quandary is satisfied by the neither/nor condition

 

            Neither barefoot nor shod: shoes are a sign of liberty; the free man and one who has ownership (see Ruth 4:7). To walk shod is to imply possession of the ground. A candidate is symbolically unable to walk into a lodge room shod as that would implies right and ownership, when as yet he has no such status. The bare foot, on the other hand is a symbol of the slave. As the candidate is free born, a believer in God who is active in his faith, is created in the image of God and is of lawful age (understanding his obligations to God and mankind) he cannot enter with the symbolism of slavery. To solve the dilemma- neither barefoot nor shod!

 

Hoodwinked. Blindfold; the blindfold is a symbol of inner withdrawal and contemplation – eyes being shut to external influences. In particular, the initiate is blinded by the outside world and unaware of that which is around him. Removal of the blindfold is a symbol of enlightenment, acquisition of light (knowledge) and spiritual light as well as introduction to that which surrounds him. ….It was, and still is the practice in some jurisdictions, to use a translucent blindfold for sons of Masons (known as a “Lewis” which has its own meaning) as a symbol of their having received flashes of partial light from this association.

 

Divested of metal: metal is symbolic of cosmic energy in solid form, impurity, human sensuality, material value and worth. Being divested of metal therefore alludes to a person without impurity (or who is willing to set it aside) without improper sensual orientation and drives who is willing to lay aside the material goods and convention with a willingness to regain the original state of innocence...

 

Cable tow: an ascension symbol that implies the desire to ascend to a higher stage (spiritual). A loose knot symbolizes a mutual bond and relationship.

 

Neck: symbol of the life force energy (first and last signs of life are located here) the seat of the temperament and the communication of the soul and body.

 

Knee: main seat of bodily strength, symbol of man’s authority and power in society. Bare knee implies innocence and purity. A bent knee suggests submission to authority

 

Breast: symbol of protection and measurement- the right breast alludes to the Sun, the left to the moon. Symbolism here would fill its own book.

 

Square: Mason’s square – symbolic of measurement of material, testing. Also a symbol of virtue, righteousness, acceptance of rules and authority.  Often used in conjunction with the Compasses, symbol of the Spiritual , measurement of Spirituality, movement, constructive dynamism and the cycle of existence.

 

Circumambulation: (note Ps 26, particularly vs. 6): symbolic of restoring a circumference to a center—circumference is where action takes place, the center is the controlling/directing principle. A clockwise (sunward) movement is friendly, accepting. Counterclockwise is unfriendly, yielding or signals being under instruction for a distinct purpose. (When going around the altar which supports the HB, S and C we are acknowledging that direction and intent of our interaction with the world is from that center. When going the other way we are always under direction for a specific purpose and therefore no unfriendly intention in implied.

            Note: in ancient times when one arrived at a city, one would signal intentions by circumambulation in appropriate direction. Of interest, when the first recorded United Kingdom of Egypt came into being, the First Pharaoh circumambulated the new capitol and it’s Temple in a clockwise direction as part of the dedication)

 

Some additional comments:

            Left: weaker side, symbol of a quest for progress, liberation, peace, silence and symbolic of a dissatisfaction of the present state.

            Right: represents knowledge acquired by reason, authority, order, stability

 

Shibboleth: interesting Hebrew word which can apply to an ear of grain (corn) or also to a Waterford (place to cross a stream)

 

The Apron: composed of a triangle and a square.

            Triangle: alludes to the No. 3: aspiration of all things to a higher unity, a spiritual symbol- when point is upward it symbolizes an “escape” to rejoin the origin – to associate with God.

            Square: alludes to the No. 4: material, body, mortal life/lifestyle

 

Symbolic wearing of the Apron

            Triangle up:  indicates we have yet to bring the spiritual into mortal/earthly life. (Refer also to position of square and compasses at the altar)  In addition, the triangle alludes to the three theological values (Faith, Hope, Charity) the square alludes to the Cardinal virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude.

In addition, the EA apron symbolize3s the number 7 – 3 from the Triangle, 4 from the square….How many are required to open a lodge of EA?

            Triangle down: indicates we are bringing the spiritual into our mortal lives. (Refer to position of square and compasses on the altar). The Apron in this position alludes to the number 5 (2 shared by triangle & square, 1 from triangle, 2 from square.

   How many are required to open a lodge of FC

            Apron with triangle down, square tucked up in corner to form a triangle: alludes to the completion – becoming a spiritual being (refer to position of square and compasses at the altar) this also Alludes to our completion (passing to our Heavenly home. death!) The number associated with the apron in this form is 3….How many doe it take to open a lodge of MM?

      Note: the Wisconsin Grand Jurisdiction changed the manner of wearing aprons several years ago from the symbolic mode to what would be considered a “nonsense mode” by those who understand symbolism –

 

An interesting aside: when taking a traditional apprenticeship as a stone mason, we were first taught to wear aprons with flap turned up to provide maximum protection from splashes of mortar (while mixing and carrying) as well as from stones we carried. As we progressed to Craftsman, apron protection was needed at belt line as that is where the action (brick/mortar etc.) was. The Overseer – “master” signified his presence by wearing a hat (easy to spot) and signified his status by his apron – if in form of a triangle he was available for consultation – if he flipped the apron down as a Craftsman, he was signaling that he was instructing someone- helping them work – and was not available to others for the moment…………….just a comment