Tag Archives: nature

Two Serpents on a Cross

Dąbrowski has an unidentified “Masonic Symbols”, see below. It looks somewhat alchemical. Perhaps it is from the Gold- und Rosenkreuzer or some similar group. I don’t know in which degree this image is featured and if there are other systems or degrees with this symbol. The placement on the image below makes it unlikely that it has the same meaning that the caduceus in some lodges has.

Continue reading

Brazen Sea

A large vessel supported by twelve oxen is called “brazen sea”, “molten sea”, “cast metal sea”, or “copper sea”. It is mentioned in a few places in the Bible. It is a washing basin for priests (Levites in some Masonic rituals). The image can be found on Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite drawing for several degrees.

In the Mirecourt collection of degrees, the image is explained in the 13th degree called “Chevalier d’Orient” (‘Knight of the East’). First it is said that the Copper Sea was taken out of the rubble of the Temple by Nebuzaradan under order of Nebucadnezar. In the Baylot collection there is a text explaining so-called “Scottish emblems”. Here the 12 oxen represent the 12 apostles who carried the Holy Water around the world.

The degree “Maitre Anglais” (‘English Master’) in Cayers Maçonniques has the following:

Q. What does the Brazen Sea represent?
A. The purity of hearts without blemish or stain

Continue reading

Lamb

Dąbrowski has an unidentified “Symbols of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”, see below. Judging the text in the triangle, it is from France. The lamb appears on the regalia of the 17º degree. It doesn’t appear to be a Paschal Lamb (which has a flag). I don’t know where the image refers to.

In Les Plus Secret Mysteres (1820) a lamb laying on a book with seven seals (like below) and both are displayed on the front of the Ark of the Covenant.

The seven seals which belong to this book, signify the seven Degrees of Masonry; & the lamb laying down on it, which is the Shekhinah, shows us that, He alone is worthy to break the seals, it is only the true Rose Croix who enjoys the privilege of reading in the book that contains the complete doctrine of Masons, & of penetrating the most secret mysteries.

The lamb laying on it, represents the Shekhinah (presence of God). In the “Fellowcraft” of practice degree in the Cayers Maçonniques it says: “He is holding the book with seven seals and the lamb of life lying on it”.

Continue reading

Brazen Serpent

Dąbrowski has an unidentified “Symbols of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”, see below left. Judging the text in the triangle, it is from France. The 25th degree of the AASR is the Knight of the Brazen Serpent and its emblem can be seen below. An image more like the one above can be found on some 25th degree AASR tracing boards.

Would the Cross with Snake be a variation to this symbol?

Continue reading

Winged Egg

Typical imaginary of the rite of Memphis-Misraim. It starts to appear on the regalia of the highest degrees (95th and up). The French Grand Egyptian Order also uses it on the 30th degree jewel.

John Yarker (1833-1913) used “the kneph” as emblem for his “Antient and Primitive Rite” (a variation of Memphis-Misraim) and published a magazine with the same name.

Pelican

A Pelican feeding its children with its own blood in front of a Rose Cross. This is a typical image of the 18th degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (“Knight Rose Croix”). It can also be found in the “4th Order” of the French Rite higher degrees and the 18th degree of Memphis-Misraim (“Knight Rose Croix”).

Continue reading

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.

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.

Continue reading