Yearly Archives: 2025

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.

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.

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.

Horse

A horse on a tracing board for the degree: “Sublime Ecossais de Franville”. I think this means ‘sublime Scot from Franville’. There is a town called Franville right in the middle of the Peche national Park (somewhat straight North there is a place called “l’Aigle” by the way (‘the eagle’)). Otherwise I wouldn’t know what the word means.

The tracing board actually shows two horses:

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Crossed Arrow

Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and a ‘legendary’ Freemason. He was initiated at the age of 23 in 1781. A story in itself.

Nowadays, when somebody in Scotland gets the Mark degree, he often gets a pin with the symbol above. It is said to be “Burn’s Mark”. The mark that Burns got when he supposedly got his Mark degree.

Skull with Three Roses

Our records tell us about the death’s head, the butterfly and the grasshopper: The death’s head, from whose nostrils and eye sockets three roses sprout, signifying that the decomposition of one body promotes the generation and growth of the other. The butterfly and the grasshopper each have their own special meaning, but both testify to the diversity, splendour and richness of the creatures in terms of form, movement and strength.

Translated quote from Die St. Andreas-Grade by F. Possart (1877/8).