A pointed ashlar (“pierre cubique à pointe”) can often be found in France or French-influenced Freemasonry, usually connected to the second “craft” degree. Sometimes on tracing boards, an axe sticks into it.
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Category Archives: Craft
Perfect Ashlar
The perfectly cubical stone is the symbol of the Fellow Craft in most “craft” degrees. It is the stone that has to fit into the wall (mankind). It can usually be found near the Senior or First Warden.
The “ashlar” need not be cubical in every system by the way.
Wikimedia Commons
Rough ashlar
A block of stone with a varying degree of ‘roughness’ in which you can see a cubic stone. It is the symbol of imperfectness, the Entered Apprentice and can usually be found near the Junior or Second Warden.
The “ashlar” need not to be cubical in every system. You also see oblong stones sometimes.
Wikipedia Commons
Axe
One of the emblems of the Junior Warden in de Mark degree. It is also the emblem of the Warder in the Royal Ark Mariner degree (crossed axes for the Guardian there too) and (seen above) emblem of the Guard in Knight Templar Freemasonry. In the Swedish Rite of St. Andrew it is a symbol of the 6th degree (see below).
Also in the (historical) “Scottish Master” degree, the axe was one of the items on tracing boards.
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Acacia
A sprig of acacia or a longer branch appears in Freemasonry frequently. In the third degree, on the regalia of the Worshipful Master. It is fairly common in most of the mentioned rites and appears in different degrees. Usually there is a connection to the ‘Hiram myth’ and a meaning of immortality as the branch is ever green.
The acacia, […] well-known in the Master’s Degree, is to remind us of the cross of the Savior of the World, because it was made of this wood, of which Palestine is full
Translation of Les Plus Secret Mysteres (1778) by S. Brent Morris and Arturo de Hoyos.
Also see acacia and coffin.
General jewellery design
Nine Pointed Star
Common throughout the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, but also an element on Third Degree aprons in the French “Modern Restored Rite”.
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Scroll
In the French Rite this is the emblem of the Architect. In some other lodges the Scroll is the emblem of the Orator.
General officer jewel.
Sword, Ruler and Eye
Emblem of the Expert in the Traditional French Rite and the French Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite “Blue” degrees. Also in Germany this is the emblem of the “Vorbereiter” (preparer).
General officer jewel
Tassels
Tassels can sometimes be seen on “craft” Master Mason aprons, usually of English (type) working lodges. They also feature on Royal Arch aprons (any degree).
general English apron design
Rosettes
Three Rosettes can sometimes be seen on “craft” Master Mason aprons, usually of English (type) working lodges. Sometimes Fellowcraft aprons have two rosettes, but there are also Fellowcraft aprons with three rosettes, such as in the French “Lodge of St. John” of the Swedish Rite.
The rosettes can also have different colours for different degrees and can differ in number.
Here we have a fourth degree (“Apprentis of Saint Andrews”) of the Swedish Rite.
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Skull, Bones and Tears
Third degree “craft” symbols. Can sometimes be found on aprons or sashes.
General image, source unknown.
MB
In some Rites, some aprons have the letters MB on them. These are usually ‘Rite Moderne’ Master Mason aprons. The letters refer to the word of the third degree.
General Rite Français apron.
Ribbon
In some lodges this is the emblem of the Master / Director of Ceremonies, especially English (type) lodges.
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Purse
Emblem of the Almoner
General jewel. Year and designer unknown.
Harp / lyre
In some lodges the emblem of the Organist, also known as Master of Talent or Musician.
(Some variations of) Memphis Misraim differentiate between harp and lyre.
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Crossed Rods
In some lodges this is the emblem of the Incense Swinger. In other lodges the emblem of the Master / Director of Ceremonies.
Caduceus
In some lodges the Master of Ceremonies has a Caduceus as a staff where is sometimes refers to Hermes.
It is also the emblem of the Deacon in Mark lodges.
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Sword
In some lodges this is the emblem of the Tiler, a similar function to ‘guard’, but in lodges where there are two ‘guards’ (a First and a Second or Inner and Outer Guard), the Outer Guard has one sword as emblem.
In Templar Masonry the officer is called “Sentinel”.
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Crossed Swords
In some lodges this is the emblem of the Master of Ceremonies, in other lodges that of the Inner or First Guard. It is also the emblem of the 15th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (“Knight of the East”).
Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor (1866) by Malcolm C. Duncan
Horn of Plenty
The cornucopia is the emblem for the Steward in some lodges.
It also features in (some) Knight Templar rites (on the mitre) and in the “Past Masters Degree”.
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