Is this an Masonic Initiation scene at Rosslyn Chapel or is it a symbolic depiction of blindness or the conquest of death?

Masonic Initiation?

Rosslyn Chapel, Masonic initiation, Freemasonry, Masonic Ritual, Masonic Lodge, Lodge, Scottish Freemasonry, Roslin, Rosslyn, Roslin Chapel

(© Rosslyn Templars)

Carving at the first window (from the south west) allegedly showing the introduction of a candidate into a Masonic Lodge.

When we first heard of the claim that the carving, shown above, was that of a candidate for Freemasonry being introduced to a Masonic Lodge all of us were very excited for this seemed to herald a breakthrough in the history of Scottish Freemasonry. We asked two Rosslyn Templars to investigate this discovery and to prepare a brief paper for publication here - individuals concerned retaining the right to publish a more extensive account of their investigations elsewhere should they so wish.

The Initiation?

A brief interpretive report

When one is aware that Masonic Degrees and Ceremonies did not make use of a blindfold or cable-tow until the mid-18th century then we have to look elsewhere for an interpretation of this 15th century carving. This is known from the earliest Masonic rituals the oldest dates from 1696. There is a little more information on these early rituals elsewhere in this site.

The recently published book: Genealogie of the Saintclaires of Rosslyn makes it clear that Rosslyn Chapel was built as a Christian Church by William St Clair and it therefore seems reasonable to turn to Christian symbolism for some clarification.

First a practical problem - how would a stonemason depict a blind man or someone who is 'in darkness'? In art this typically is done by showing a figure wearing a blindfold. It does not mean, therefore, that the individual is wearing a blindfold. In Christianity blindness was, and is, a powerful symbol indicating:

	Without natural sight - physical blindness
	Ignorance
	Spiritual blindness
	'Legal' blindness

1) Being physically blind was a common affliction until relatively recently (and is still prevalent, unfortunately, in some parts of the world) and was due, in biblical times, to several causes cataracts being one of the most common.

2) Ignorance, in the context of Christianity, generally referred to the heathen, or non-Christian, who had no knowledge of Christ nor of his kingdom.

3) Unlike heathens, spiritual blindness referred to those within the Christian community who had no spiritual knowledge or understanding.

4) In biblical times under the law blind or lame persons were not allowed to become priests nor were lame or blind animals allowed to be sacrificed indicating that only whole persons could carry the word of G-d and that only whole animals were acceptable as sacrifices.

We can begin to see here several levels of complexity within Christian symbolism and the churches' attempts, with varying degrees of success, to express its principals and precepts by that means. Physical blindness was occasionally inflicted by G-d:

And they [two angels] smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Genesis. 19 : 11

This non-fatal device was employed by the angels of the Lord to protect Lot and his family from the riotous residents of Sodom before the angels destroyed the city. This powerful and dramatic story posed some difficulties in being depicted in Christian symbolism and the expedient of using an existing symbol but providing it with multiple meanings was used.

When some Pharisees accused the disciples of Christ of transgressing the 'tradition of the elders' and he mounted a stout defence, his disciples said to him: 'Knowest thou that the Pharisess were offended after they heard this... ', He replied: 'Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.'

St Matthew. 14 : 1 - 14.

(Reading this Chapter (if not all) of Saint Matthew, New Testament, would reward those who wish to place these quotations into their Biblical context).

Here we find that Christ knows the Pharisees to be blind and that those who follow them are also blind. He is explaining to his disciples that the blind, leading the blind, will eventually trip up, fall over, or wake up (all variations of falling into a ditch) and there is therefore little point in trying to make them understand before that event.

As Rosslyn Chapel was dedicated to Saint Matthew (from which the quote of the blind leading the blind was taken) by the builder, William St Clair, it does not seem unreasonable that he consciously used this symbolism to refer to his favourite saint.

Dance of Death at Rosslyn Chapel, Symbolism, Masonic symbolism As with much medieval symbolism it is likely that this carving has an additional meaning to that described above. In the middle ages death was occasionally depicted as wearing a blindfold (see image to the left) meaning that death is blind mowing down everyone regardless of social position, wealth etc. One description of the carving claims that the figure to the right is wearing a blindfold and the other figure to the left holds a rope which is round the neck of the blindfolded individual. In medieval times this symbolism would have been clear - death, symbolised by the blindfold, has been conquered, or captured, symbolised by the rope by the pious Christian.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave all Christians everlasting life and the symbolism of this carving shows that the death can be conquered.

As this type of symbolism is to be found in other churches across Europe in the middle ages (we shall try to obtain additional images) one must ask why this symbolism has been given a different interpretation at Rosslyn Chapel?

To be continued...

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