Category Archives: General

Cameleon

under the altar are beasts expressing the vices as peacock, cameleon and lion;

And later:

Q. What do the animals signify represented under it?
A. That shows us that before entering into such a beautiful quarry, one has to tred down all vices.

Thus says the Latomia document 175-t-e. This document is a translation of Cayers Maçonniques (National Library of Australia, MS 1097/44), which is the first volume of Maçonnerie des Hommes, the other five volumes are in the Kloss collection in Den Haag in the Netherlands.

The concerning degree is called “Apprentice Mason of Practice” and is the fourth degree presented in this volume (after Entered Apprentis, Fellowcraft and Master Mason).

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Votive Altar

in the centre of the Tracing Board is a votive altar dedicated to friendship

And later:

Q. What does the altar signify, that is in the centre?
A. This altar signifies the sacred deposit of the virtues one obliges himself to follow when taking bis oath.

Thus says the Latomia document 175-t-e. This document is a translation of Cayers Maçonniques (National Library of Australia, MS 1097/44), which is the first volume of Maçonnerie des Hommes, the other five volumes are in the Kloss collection in Den Haag in the Netherlands.

The concerning degree is called “Apprentice Mason of Practice” and is the fourth degree presented in this volume (after Entered Apprentis, Fellowcraft and Master Mason).

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Truth

Truth is a Divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry.On this theme we contemplate,and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us,and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other’s welfare, and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity.

Webb’s Monitor, Morris’s Edition, 1872

Relief

To relieve the distressed, is a duty incumbent on all men; but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes,to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the grand aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Webb’s Monitor, Morris’s Edition, 1872

Brotherly Love

By the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other.On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

Webb’s Monitor, Morris’s Edition, 1872

Delta

The equilateral triangle, sometimes named “delta” after the Greek capital D is a somewhat widely used symbol within Freemasonry. MacKenzie (Royal Masonic Cyclopedia, 1877) says of it:

The Delta is the Emblem of the Chapter in Royal Arch Masonry; Overseer’s mark of approval in Mark Master’s Degree; Emblem of the Trinity.

general image

Lion with Tree Branch?

From the title page of the degree “Chap. métropolitain de France. Le Chevalier du Grand Lion. 20e grade de la 3e série.” A lion with a tree branch perhaps?

Bibliothèque Numérique Patrimoniale, Fonds Gaborria Ms.-409

Steps

Another wide subject. Steps in Freemasonry come in a variety of forms and meanings. When you look online for Freemasonry and steps, you usually get an image with different degrees. Three steps for the “craft”/”symbolic” degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason) and more steps for other degrees in whatever system is portrayed.

But you also have three steps in many lodges. The Worshipful Master sits three steps higher than floor level (both officers sometimes two steps). At other times steps refer to the Liberal Arts that Freemasons are supposed to study.

Three steps can refer to youth, (wo)manhood and old age (also see three candles). Seven steps can refer to: “the 7 stages of our life on our way to spiritual joy.” (A. & A. R. The intermediate Degrees 19º – 29º A.C.F. Jackson (1982)).

On the image above, a text is written on the steps for entering the Museum of Freemasonry (and the main seat of the Grand Orient of the Netherlands) in Den Haag (The Hague, La Haye) in the Netherlands:

Vrijmetselarij kweekt verdraagzaamheid
betracht rechtvaardigheid, bevordert
naastenliefde, zoekt wat mensen en
volken vereent, tracht weg te nemen
wat de geesten en gemoederen verdeelt
en brengt tot hogere eenheid door het
bewustzijn levend te maken van de
allen verbindende broederschap

Freemasonry breeds tolerance
practices justice, promotes
charity, seeks what unites people and
peoples, seeks to remove
what divides minds and spirits
and brings about higher unity by
consciousness of the
all uniting brotherhood

Entrance of the Museum of Freemasonry, Den Haag, the Netherlands

Cherubim

Cherubim with extended wings appeared first in the 1764 edition of Ahiman Rezon, the constitutions of the “Antients”. They returned in the seal of the “Antients” and later also in that of the Grand Lodge of Ireland (shown above).

Cherubim also appear in some ‘high degrees’ (Voss mentions the “degree of Royal Master”), where the meaning would be: “under the protection of Divine Power”.

On a 28th degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite tracing board (below) we can see seven Cherubim which: “represent the 7 delights of man – sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, rest and health.”

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Grips

Every degree has a grip (and a step and a word). These ‘secret handshakes’ captivate outsiders. On old (and sometimes more recent) Masonic charts you can sometimes see two holding hands. When they are just two hands shaking, it is somewhat likely to be a reference to the Odd Fellows, but with some added detail, such hands can refer to a certain degree.

The Book Of The Ancient And Accepted Scottish Rite (1884) Charles McClenachan (detail)

Pomegranates

In many lodges the two pillars have on top each a globe (sometimes a celestial and terrestrial globe) with network, hanging from which smaller globes which represent pomegranates. This element comes from the Bible from which more symbolism of King Solomon’s Temple comes. “And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.” (1 Kings 7:13-22).

On this “Apprentice Mason of Practice” tracing board the pomegranate mirrors the olive branch, but without further explanation. Also see peacock.

Q. What do the two branches of pomegranate and olive tell us?
A. The pomegranate shows us the harmony, that should reign among us and the olive the peace being felt here.

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Astronomy

Astronomical (astrological?) signs on a tracing board from the Kloss / von “Löwen collection. The description says: “Apprentif et Compagnon du Soleil” (‘apprentise and fellow of the sun’). It can hardly be a “craft” tracing board with the coffin, the broken columns, etc.

“The Celestial Bodies can also be found on a 28th degree (“Prince of the Sun”) Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite tracing board they: “represent the 7 principal passions of life, useful to man, if he uses them in moderation, dangerous when he abandons himself to them.”

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Triangle and Compasses

The “Missouri Masonic Family” tree below shows the bewildering number of rites and degrees in America. As a branch to the York Rite there is an order simply called “Allied Masonic Degrees”.

The square is also sometimes replaced by a triangle in French and German Freemasonry. It also happens that there is both a square and compasses and a triangle.

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Phoenix

The Phoenix is not really a Masonic symbol, but it does appear in a Masonic context every now and then. The image above is the emblem of a lodge with the name, there is the famous Phoenixmasonry museum and library and last, but not least, the double headed eagle of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is sometimes portrayed as rising from the fire. Sometimes it is even bluntly called “Phoenix”. As a symbol, the phoenix refers to renewal, perhaps even immortality or eternity.

public logo of Phoenix lodge www.nhgrandlodge.org/phoenix