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Masonic symbolism
Nine colourful Masonic stamps issued by Tadjikistan
At one time, when very few were literate, the use of symbolism was widespread. It was a form of 'visual shorthand' which suggested abstract concepts as well particular stories. Symbols were easily recognised, and understood, but literacy increased the need for symbolism declined. In centuries past, symbols, especially religious symbols, were common throughout Christendom. It did not matter where one lived, one would recognise most, if not all, of the symbols although there were, of course, local variations. When a series of symbols were associated a whole string of ideas could be conveyed. At the simplest level symbols could be used to relate a story, a parable, an event by grouping, in sequence, a number of symbols. At the most complex level a Cathedral (itself a Christian symbol) contains thousands of individual symbols which, in combination, present a vast range of parables, theological concepts and even debates. In this more secular world the use of, and the understanding of, symbolism has been and continues to be reduced.
This has had the effect of allowing every individual to place their own particular interpretation and meaning on symbols which at one time had only one or two accepted interpretations. This is a particular problem with places such as Rosslyn Chapel where everyone, and his or her dog, can suggest the meaning, purpose and importance of its symbolism whereas at one time such a huge diversity of interpretations would simply not have applied. This is a theme that the Rosslyn Templars will to return to, on a separate page, in due course.
This page on symbolism is devoted to Masonic symbolism. Like many other very old institutions and fraternities Freemasonry has built up, over the centuries, its own 'visual shorthand' and the understanding of this has declined although the use of symbolism has not. Thus we have the curious situation within Freemasonry where symbols continue to be used but the reason and meaning of them is now little understood. The reason for this process of decline is not at all clear but one cannot help but notice that throughout the 20th century, with huge intakes of new members, Lodges had to concentrate on Initiating, Passing and Raising these candidates. Prior to this upsurge of interest in Freemasonry, especially after the First World War (1914 - 1919) Lodges spent a considerable amount of time educating its new and existing members by means of lectures, debates and written material (pamphlets, magazines and handouts). No doubt the intention was to return to that system of education after the war but oddly the very success of Freemasonry attracting candidates ensure that all their attention was ploughed into 'processing' the candidates. Even the creation of a large number of new Lodges after WWW I., and to a lesser extent after WWW II, did not allow the old system of teaching the precepts of Freemasonry to be restored. By the time things had settled down after the Second World War at least one generation of Scottish Freemasons had been lost and with them their knowledge and ability to educate new Freemasons. Curiously, the Rosslyn Templars perceive positive signs within the present decline in the number of new candidates for Freemasonry. An 'insider' explained that there was now a new opportunity to return to the previous method of educating the Brethren, not only new members. It was 'simply' a matter of making it happen. Interesting we are aware that many Lodges are choosing to have a 'slower' timetable than previously. For instance many Lodges are now extending the 'use' of new candidates by interspersing the Degrees with Lectures. Previously, therefore, a candidate might take four months, depending upon circumstances, to take all the Degrees available in a Scottish Lodge. The addition of Lectures and other educational efforts mean that it can now take a candidate more than a year to complete the series of ceremonies.
It must be made clear, immediately, that the above is no criticism of the present Scottish Lodge structure and method of attempting to make men better citizens only of noting that methods of education have changed.
So
let us turn to some examples of Masonic symbolism and what they represent.
Below
is the Jewel of a Depute Master and worn by Brother Robert Burns whilst
Symbolic Confusion!
Not all symbolism which appears to be Masonic is Masonic. A few examples
are shown here to illustrate the point. One incorporates the All Seeing Eye and
is very Masonic looking. We think that it is a business logo but we are unaware
of the company name. It is not Masonic.
The history of the Order is interesting and a brief outline might be worth including here. Like Free Masonry, Free Gardenery sprang from operative or working Gardeners. These craftsmen had much in common with their counterparts - the stonemasons. They designed, built and maintained gardens initially for the aristocracy who were, at first, the only section of society who could afford to create gardens for mere pleasure. These gardens, many of them very large, were used as a 'foil' for the great country mansions especially in the rich lands of the east of Scotland. Inevitably some members of the aristocracy became interested in the 'secret' ceremonies of the gardeners and sought membership. The admission of non-gardeners into Gardeners' Lodges has very close parallels with the admission on non-stonemasons into their Lodges. The Free Gardeners were known to have been in existence as early as 1602 although the earliest written records of their own only commence in 1670. Free Gardenery came to rival Free Masonry and at one time had more members and more Lodges than the Free Masons. Today the Order is virtually extinct.
* In the UK the symbol of: the Square, Compasses and Letter 'G' are a registered Trade Mark of the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland and individual, organisation or business etc., using or wishing to use that symbol, or derivations thereof, will require to negotiate for permission to use that symbol.
** Of course there would have been men who were members of both organisations, perhaps indicated by the Mechanics' use of Masonic symbolism, but that does not mean that the Mechanics were in any way 'Masonic'.
Summation
A definition of Freemasonry:
A Peculiar system of Morality, Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated with Symbols, was penned over 150 years ago and the words may well seem a little obscure now especially as the meaning of some of the words has now changed.
A Peculiar System of Morality.
When this definition was written 'peculiar' meant special or unique whereas today the word is commonly used to denote something odd or strange.
Veiled in Allegory
As Allegory, in a Masonic sense, means hidden the word 'veiled' would seem to be redundant but this is incorrect. This part of the definition means that the meaning is Allegorical, that there is more than one possible interpretation and that the meaning(s) are hidden.
and Illustrated with Symbols
This last part of this definition of Freemasonry appears to be the more straight forward and indeed it is provide that one is aware that Symbols do not always represent what they appear to represent. Symbols are therefore, at the simplest level, illustrative of the Morality and Allegory of Freemasonry.
A Modern Definition
A special and unique method of teaching men morality, which is disguised in order to encourage and which uses particular visual aides.
Those who believe the various traditional histories contained within Freemasonry have missed the point. Freemasonry is not meant to be 'real' and hence some fall into the trap of seeking the body of our first Grand Master or seeking the genuine secrets of Freemasonry in old church buildings.
To go to the page which discusses Allegory click here
or Allegory
To go to the page that discusses Morality click here
or Morality
Our thanks to Brother Robert L. D. Cooper, Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library for his assistance in preparing these pages. |
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Send mail to
Robert@RosslynTemplars.org.uk with
questions or comments about this web site. |
We will begin with the symbol most commonly associated with Freemasonry. The
Square, Compasses and Letter 'G'. Here we encounter the first problem. No
individual can speak for Freemasonry, an individual may only express a personal view which may, or
may not, be shared by other Freemasons. In the same way 'Freemasonry' does not impose
meanings of its' symbols although many have obtained a general acceptance as to
what they represent. In Scotland, however, Masonic symbolism is often different
from that which pertains furth of the kingdom and the meaning of them several. To return to the Square, Compasses and Letter
'G'. In many countries the Letter 'G' is taken to mean God, the Supreme Being, and
whilst it is an interpretation held by many Freemasons it is not a universal
view. There are some faiths which have an aversion to depicting the Supreme
Being in any physical form whatsoever. For such individuals the Letter 'G'
simply cannot stand for the God of their faith. As Scottish Freemasonry does not
impose the meaning of symbols (which would smack of dogma) on members, each individual is free to
interpret them according to their own views. Thus some take the Letter 'G' to
represent GOODNESS, the essential goodness of Freemasonry and of humankind.
Others argue that the letter 'G' stands for GEOMETRY the basis of the operative
craft that gave birth to modern Freemasonry. There is one Scottish Rosslyn
Templar who argues vociferously that the Letter 'G' indicates GREEGRIMENT, an
old Scots word meaning harmony or concord, and who are we to argue with such an
appropriate interpretation? There are other interpretations but
these are, as far as we are aware, the three main ones, four if one includes the
latter opinion. There are some
countries, notably England, that no longer use the Letter 'G'.
The
Square and Compasses (TM)* are more easily explained as they come from the working
tools used by the operative Freemasons of centuries ago. The Compasses were an
essential implement used for drawing circles, and parts thereof, and many
medieval manuscripts show the Master Mason with a Square and Compasses in hand.
The Square was used by operative masons to check the accuracy of the 90° angle
so essential in buildings. In their Lodges the stone masons did not use these
working tools but moralised upon their using the symbol as an aid to a deeper
understanding of themselves and their world. The first record of a Lodge of
operative masons owning a working tool of this nature is to be found in the
records of the Lodge of Dunfermline when in 1701 a member presented the Lodge
with a brass square in lieu of his annual fee. Clearly the Lodge would not own a
brass square for operative and so most agree that it was used for symbolic and
moralistic purposes. Exactly when the combination of elements first came into
use is not known. The earliest use of them in this way we can find, at the
moment, is during the 1750's. 
Depute
Master of Lodge St James Kilwinning Tarbolton, No.135. (The image is © of that
Lodge). The Jewel combines some of the symbols mentioned above
although now in a different configuration. The Letter 'G' unites an arc
(intended to be an angle of 90°) with the Square and Compasses. The Jewel
introduces three more symbols. The Sun, Moon and a Star an abbreviation of the
seven stars which would be too difficult to incorporate in a small jewel). These represent, in
their totality, the universe - created by the Great Architect of the Universe. This
is jewel is a 'collar jewel' - that is a jewel suspended from a ribbon worn
round the neck. This should not be confused with a 'breast jewel' which is
similar to a military medal and which is normally worn at the top pocket of a
jacket.
The
other symbol shows a square (with measurement marks on the blade and a decorated
handle) with ornate compasses together overlaid with what appears to be a
pruning knife. Initially everyone who sees this symbol (or more correctly a
combination of symbols) assumes that it is Masonic. However they would be mistaken
in that assumption for this symbol is that of the Ancient Order of Free
Gardeners
and
which whilst similar in nature was never considered to be Masonic.
Another example
of how Masonic symbolism can be misinterpreted, misapplied and misappropriated
is discussed here. The front cover of the book: The Temple and The Lodge
by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh bore this symbol. At first glance it
certainly appears to be Masonic. Let us examine the various elements of the
symbol. As we have already seen, above, the Square and Compasses in this
configuration are definitely of Masonic origin first appearing in Masonic usage
c.1750. The Sun (upper left) and the Moon and Seven Stars (upper right)
are also from Masonic sources. Typically, as mentioned previously, this
configuration included the letter 'G' in the centre of the Square and Compasses
(see above) but the letter 'G' was dropped by the Grand Lodge of England in the
early 19th century. In Scotland the use of the letter 'G' continues to this day.
The symbol to the right shows an Arm and Hammer in place of the Scottish use of
the letter 'G' and the absence of anything at all in English Freemasonry. So
what does this symbol (in fact a combination of symbols) represent? The use of
the Arm and Hammer is the give away as this symbol is and was, used by the
Independent Order of Mechanics. That organisation, of United States origin,
copied Masonic symbolism but had no connection whatsoever with Freemasonry.**
