Freemasonry, often simply referred to as Masonry, is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed an intricate symbolic system that is featured in the organisation’s rituals and communicated to members through things like gestures, words, objects, and places. The most well-known and recognised symbol of Freemasonry is the square and compass.
The Square and Compass
The square and compass is the best known and most widely used Masonic symbol. The square represents the earthly sphere and the compass represents the heavenly sphere. Together, the square and compass embody the fellowship under the fatherhood of God. This symbol communicates the integration of the spiritual and the material in Freemasonry. It is also an emblem of wisdom.
The letter “G” featured in the centre of the symbol stands for both God and geometry. It is the proper Masonic Symbol and reveals the unity of theoretical and practical masonry. The “G” makes the symbol uniquely Masonic. This letter indicates that God is at the centre of Freemasonry and also signifies geometry, which enables Masons to shape their moral edifice.
The square and compass was first used by Operative Masonic guilds in the Middle Ages. These guilds used actual stonemason’s tools like squares and compasses in their work carving stone. The compass was used to draw circles and arcs while the square was used to check right angles. The tools represent God as the Great Architect of the Universe.
In speculative Freemasonry, the square and compass retain their original operative meanings. The square teaches morality, truthfulness, and honesty, while the compass indicates boundaries and helps Masons circumscribe their desires and keep their passions in due bounds. Together, the square and compass teach Masons to unite science and morality when building their moral temple.
This symbol is the most visible and widespread emblem of Freemasonry today. It appears on Masonic regalia and furnishings. The square and compass is also commonly seen on Masonic buildings, gravestones, certificates, and images.
The All-Seeing Eye
The Eye of Providence (or the all-seeing eye of God) is another common Masonic symbol. It represents the watchful providence of God keeping a steady eye on the universe. This reminds Masons that every thought and action is observed by the Supreme Being. The Eye of Providence first appeared on the seal of the Masonic Grand Lodge of England in 1768.
In Freemasonry, the Eye of Providence symbolises the guardianship of the Almighty and His eternal presence. It reminds Masons that God is always watching over them no matter where they go. The Eye reinforces virtues like honesty, fidelity, justice, and fear of God.
This symbol has roots in ancient Egypt and was absorbed by Freemasonry in the early 18th century. The Eye of Providence is usually depicted as a single eye enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of glory. The eye represents the all-seeing eye of God while the triangle represents the Holy Trinity.
Masons display this symbol on several of their ritual artefacts and in their lodges. It serves as a constant reminder to Masons that God is omnipresent and omniscient. The all-seeing eye continues to be one of the most popular Masonic symbols today.
The Letter G
The letter G is another significant symbol in Freemasonry. It stands for both God and geometry. The letter G in the centre of the square and compass reveals that God is at the heart of Masonic teachings. It also signifies the role of geometry in building Solomon’s Temple.
Geometry enables Masons to give shape to their abstract ideas of God and morality. The letter G signifies the proper Masonic Symbol pointing to the unity of theoretical and practical Masonry. Geometry and God are thereby united in this letter.
In Masonic ritual, the letter G conveys the different Names of the Supreme Being. The names include the Grand Architect of the Universe, the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, and the Most High. Geometry is described as being God himself.
The letter G is central to several Masonic symbols and appears in numerous instances of Masonic imagery. It represents the science of geometry and its crucial role in sacred architecture and Freemasonry.
The Masonic Apron
The Masonic apron is one of the most visible and distinctive symbols of the fraternity. Candidates don the white lambskin apron during the initiation ritual as Entered Apprentices. The apron is an emblem of innocence and a badge of a Freemason.
The lambskin apron provides spiritual and symbolic covering to the Mason as a builder. It signifies the purification of thoughts, words, and deeds to build a spiritual temple aligned with the Supreme Being. The apron is a reminder to Masons to safeguard their thoughts, words, and actions.
In Operative Masonry, the apron was worn by stonemasons to protect them from rough stones and tools. The apron gains spiritual symbolism in Speculative Masonry – it represents righteousness and innocence.
Masons embellish their aprons with the square and compass symbol and other Masonic emblems like the all-seeing eye. The apron’s colour may change when a Mason reaches the third degree as a Master Mason. However, the white lambskin apron remains an enduring symbol across all Masonic rites.
The Letter V
The letter V or the Hebrew letter Vau finds use in Masonic rituals and symbolism. It represents the pillars Jachin and Boaz that stood at the entrance to King Solomon’s Temple. The letter V when inverted represents the union of opposites.
Vau symbolically binds the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple to the heavens above it. It unites the physical and spiritual facets of life. The letter reminds Masons of the union between the earthly and the divine achieved through Freemasonry’s teachings.
In Freemasonry’s initiation ritual, the V appears in the Seven Steps narrative that contains ancient Hebrew history. This V or pillar binds heaven and earth and serves as a ladder extending from earth to the heavens.
The Masonic letter V feature in the tracing boards and signs of several Masonic degrees. As a symbol binding opposites, V reflects the core Masonic belief in the harmony between faith and reason.
The Trestleboard
The trestleboard is another important Masonic symbol seen in lodges and rituals. The term refers to the wooden boards that medieval operative masons used to draw designs for their work. Speculative Masons use the trestleboard as a symbol for the moral code by which Masons are instructed to live.
The trestleboard symbolises the spiritual plans that Masons must follow to become morally refined. By following the trestleboard, Masons can become morally straight and upright. It serves as the code of conduct for life and for building one’s moral edifice.
In Masonic ritual, the trestleboard is connected to the Volume of Sacred Law whether the Bible, Quran, or other scripture. This symbolises that scriptural teachings underlie the Masonic code for moral living.
The emblem reminds Masons that every act should be done according to God’s trestleboard, not their own. By following the plans God has set out, Masons can become spiritually and morally refined.
The Three Great Lights
The three great lights in Masonry are the Volume of Sacred Law, square, and compass. The Volume of Sacred Law represents God’s spiritual guidance, while the square and compass represent the rules that guide Masons in their actions. Together, these three emblems represent the integration of faith and moral conduct.
The Volume of Sacred Law is the holy book for the prevailing religion of the Masonic jurisdiction. In largely Christian countries, this is the Bible. The sacred text provides divine insight into spiritual truth. The square teaches morality and regulates actions by the square of virtue.
The compass indicates the need to circumscribe desires and keep passions in due bounds. The three lights remind Masons that God provides spiritual guidance and moral teachings that enable them to live with love and act with morality.
When displayed together, these three Great Lights summarize the Masonic worldview of morality, faith, and reason united. They serve as a perpetual guide to every Mason in building moral character.
The Five-Pointed Star
The pentagram or five-pointed star is a significant occult symbol that has been absorbed into Freemasonry, especially in the United States. Each point of the pentagram has symbolic meaning to Masons.
The topmost point represents the Spirit ruling over the four elements. The other points represent earth, air, fire, and water. Together, the pentagram signifies human control over the natural world through reason and intellect.
In Masonic ritual, the five-pointed star appears suspended from the ceiling of Masonic lodges. The inverted pentagram is also used in Masonic regalia. The pentagram represents the Masonic belief that one can gain knowledge and control over the natural world through science and reason.
The five-pointed star reminds Masons that they can gain mastery over their moral universe through Masonic teachings on virtue ethics. The pentagram has endured as a Masonic symbol and emblem representing the Masonic worldview.
Conclusion
Freemasonry uses an elaborate system of symbols to convey its philosophy and principles. The square and compass, all-seeing eye, letter G, apron, and the three Great Lights are some of the most iconic Masonic emblems.
These symbols communicate Masonic beliefs about the unity of the material and the spiritual. They remind Masons to follow a moral code in aligning with the Grand Architect of the Universe. The core Masonic symbols provide ethical instruction and bind Masons in a united brotherhood.
Through their multiple meanings and immense symbolic depth, these emblems continue to reveal more with ongoing use and reflection. At their core, these symbols embody Masonic ideals of morality, universal brotherhood, and the integration of faith and science.
The Meanings Behind Some Common Masonic Symbols
Freemasonry uses many symbols to convey philosophical and ethical teachings to its members. Here are some common Masonic symbols and their meanings:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Square and Compass | Embodies the integration of the spiritual and material worlds. The square represents morality, while the compass symbolizes wisdom. |
| All-Seeing Eye | Represents the omniscience and omnipresence of God, who watches over all of creation. |
| Letter G | Stands for both God and Geometry, reminding Masons that God is at the centre of Masonic teachings. |
| Masonic Apron | Worn as a badge of innocence and purity of heart. It signifies protecting oneself from moral pollution. |
| Trestleboard | Represents the code of conduct that Masons use to build their moral temple of personal character. |
| Three Great Lights | The Volume of Sacred Law, Square, and Compasses. Together they symbolize faith, reason, and moral conduct. |
| Five-Pointed Star | Signifies human mastery over the natural world through science and reason. |
These major symbols contain multiple layers of meaning that communicate the core teachings and principles of Freemasonry. They serve as ethical guides and reminders to Masons as they journey through the fraternity.
The Origins and History of Major Masonic Symbols
Many of the most recognizable Masonic symbols have connections to operative masonry and have evolved in meaning over Freemasonry’s long history. Here are some of the origins and histories of the major Masonic emblems:
Square and Compass
The square and compass originated from the actual working tools used by medieval stonemasons to construct buildings. In Freemasonry, the square acquired symbolic meaning related to virtue and morality, while the compass represents discernment and wisdom.
All-Seeing Eye
The Eye of Providence has roots in ancient Egyptian iconography as a symbol of royal omniscience. Masons later adopted it as a symbol of God’s all-seeing presence. The first known Masonic use was on the seal of the Grand Lodge of England in 1768.
Letter G
The letter G was likely not used in Operative Masonry. Its speculative meaning emerged in the 1700s representing both Geometry and God as central to Masonic teachings. It was incorporated into Masonic imagery like the square and compass.
Masonic Apron
The lambskin apron evolved from the functional aprons worn by medieval stonemasons to protect themselves as they worked. In Speculative Masonry, it gained symbolic meaning related to innocence, purity, and morality.
Three Great Lights
The grouping together of the three Great Lights, representing the Volume of Sacred Law, square, and compass, emerged in the late 1600s. It symbolized the interconnection between faith, reason, and moral conduct in Masonry.
Five-Pointed Star
The pentagram was an ancient occult symbol representing the four elements ruled by Spirit. American Freemasons incorporated the five-pointed star into Masonic symbolism in the early 1800s.
Understanding the history and evolution of these symbols provides deeper insight into the meanings they hold for Freemasons today.
Common Masonic Symbols Found in Lodge Rituals and Regalia
Certain Masonic symbols frequently appear in the rituals, ceremonies, and regalia used by Freemasons. Here are some of the common ways these emblems are incorporated:
- The square and compass symbol is prominently featured on Masonic altars, tracing boards, regalia, certificates, and furnishings.
- The all-seeing eye appears on the Masonic altar and tracing boards. It is also a common Masonic decoration and part of ritual.
- The letter G is on the Masonic square and compass symbol. It also features prominently on the Masonic apron and in Masonic lodge architecture.
- The apron is worn by all Entered Apprentice Masons. Embellished aprons are worn in different degrees and by officers.
- The Volume of Sacred Law, square, and compass appear together on the Masonic altar during rituals and ceremonies.
- The trestleboard is used symbolically in ritual to mean following moral teachings.
- The pentagram appears in some American lodge rooms and is incorporated into Masonic rings and regalia.
Beyond rituals and regalia, these emblems are also found in Masonic art, documents, certificates, jewellery, and architecture. They visually communicate Masonic teachings and reminders.
Interpreting the Multiple Layers of Meaning in Masonic Symbols
Masonic symbols are intricate and have multiple interrelated and nuanced layers of meaning. Several key factors help unlock their significance:
- Understanding the exoteric meaning of the symbols that is apparent on the surface.
- Grasping the esoteric meaning only understood through Masonic teachings.
- Seeing how symbols build upon each other in the Masonic system.
- Interpreting them in context of Masonic rituals, stories, and teachings.
- Reflecting on how their meanings have evolved over centuries of use.
- Decoding the ancient mystical and occult knowledge incorporated into them.
- Analyzing their geometric, numeric, and astronomical components.
Master Masons continue interpreting and finding new insight into the Masonic symbols throughout their lives in the fraternity. The symbols reveal deeper teachings and wisdom upon ongoing reflection.
The Enduring Significance of These Symbols in Freemasonry
The major Masonic symbols have remained at the core of Freemasonry for centuries because:
- They elegantly distill and communicate the teachings, philosophy
