Masonic Symbols Explained: A Complete Glossary of Meanings
Freemasonry, one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic fraternities, communicates its core tenets through a rich and complex system of symbols. For the uninitiated, these emblems might appear as mere decoration on buildings, jewelry, or historical documents. They are, however, far more than that.
Each symbol is a vessel of meaning, an allegorical tool designed to impart lessons in morality, philosophy, and self-improvement. They form a universal language that connects Masons across time and geography, guiding them on a shared journey toward becoming better men. This visual lexicon is the heart of Masonic education.
To truly understand the Craft, one must learn to speak its visual language. This glossary aims to pull back the veil, offering clear explanations for some of the most prominent emblems. By exploring the rich tapestry of Freemasonry symbols, we can begin to appreciate the profound wisdom they contain.
What Are the Three Great Lights of Freemasonry?
The foundation of Masonic symbolism rests upon what are known as the Three Great Lights. These are considered the most essential symbols in the lodge, indispensable for Masonic work. They are the Square and Compasses and the Volume of the Sacred Law.
These three items are always present when a lodge is open and active. They are referred to as ‘lights’ because they illuminate the path of a Freemason, providing the moral and spiritual guidance necessary for his journey through life.
What Do the Square and Compasses Represent?
Perhaps the most universally recognized symbol of Freemasonry is the Square and Compasses. Though often shown together, each has its own distinct meaning. The Square is an emblem of virtue, morality, and truthfulness. It reminds a Mason to ‘square his actions’ with all mankind, encouraging honesty and fairness.
The Compasses relate to self-restraint and the importance of circumscribing one’s passions and desires. They teach a Mason to keep his conduct within due bounds, maintaining control over his impulses. Together, the Square and Compasses represent the balance between our moral obligations to others and our personal responsibility for self-governance.
Why Is the Volume of the Sacred Law Important?
The third Great Light is the Volume of the Sacred Law. This is the rule and guide of a Mason’s faith and practice. Crucially, this is not exclusively the Bible.
In keeping with Freemasonry’s principle of religious tolerance, the Volume of the Sacred Law is the holy book of the members present. In a lodge with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim members, a Bible, Tanakh, and Quran may all be present. This powerful symbol underscores that a Mason’s duty to a higher power is paramount, whatever his personal creed may be.
How Do Working Tools Shape a Freemason’s Character?
Freemasonry evolved from the guilds of operative stonemasons who built Europe’s great cathedrals. While modern Freemasons are ‘speculative’ rather than operative, they adopt the tools of the stonemason as allegorical instruments for building character. Each tool offers a specific moral lesson.
What Are the Tools of an Entered Apprentice?
The first degree of Freemasonry introduces a candidate to three fundamental working tools. The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge is a simple ruler, symbolizing the 24 hours of the day. It teaches a Mason to properly apportion his time between service to God and a distressed Brother, his usual vocations, and refreshment and sleep.
The Common Gavel is used to break off the rough corners of stones. Symbolically, it represents the force of conscience, used to divest the heart and mind of the vices and superfluities of life. These foundational lessons are a key part of the Freemason initiation steps, where a candidate begins their journey of self-discovery.
What Lessons Do the Fellowcraft’s Tools Teach?
As a Mason progresses to the second degree, he is introduced to tools that require more skill and understanding. The Plumb is a weight suspended from a line, used by builders to ensure their walls are vertically true. For a speculative Mason, it is an emblem of rectitude and uprightness, a reminder to walk justly before all people.
The Level is an instrument used to check for horizontal accuracy. It symbolizes equality, reminding Masons that they are all on the same level, regardless of their station in life. The deeper study of these tools reveals a layered Freemasonry symbol meaning that unfolds as one progresses in the Craft.
What Are the Master Mason’s Implements?
In the third degree, the Master Mason is presented with the Trowel as his proper working tool. While other tools are used for measuring and preparing, the Trowel is used for finishing the work. It is the instrument used to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection.
This symbolizes the ultimate goal of a Mason: to unite the members of the fraternity into a single, sacred band of friends and Brothers. It represents the application of Masonic virtues in a way that builds and strengthens the community.
Why Is Architecture So Central to Masonic Symbolism?
The entire framework of Masonic allegory is built around the construction of King Solomon’s Temple. This grand project serves as a metaphor for the building of a man’s own spiritual and moral character. Consequently, architectural symbols are found throughout the lodge.
What Is the Meaning of the Two Pillars, Boaz and Jachin?
Prominently featured at the entrance to every Masonic lodge are two pillars, named Boaz and Jachin. These are replicas of the two great bronze pillars that stood at the entrance to King Solomon’s Temple. Boaz is said to mean ‘in strength’ and Jachin ‘to establish’.
Together, they signify that God’s work is established in strength. They remind every Mason who enters the lodge that his journey is founded upon a stable and divinely supported basis. These pillars are among the most prominent and widely discussed Masonic symbols explained in lectures and literature.
What Do the Rough and Perfect Ashlars Symbolize?
An ashlar is a hewn stone. In the lodge, two ashlars are displayed. The Rough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry, in its natural and unrefined state. It represents man in his ignorant, uncultivated condition.
The Perfect Ashlar is a stone that has been squared and smoothed by the hands of the craftsman. It symbolizes man who, through education, virtue, and the teachings of Freemasonry, has perfected his character and is fit to be a part of the spiritual temple. The transformation from the rough to the perfect stone is a powerful visual for the core masonry symbol meaning of self-improvement.
What Do Light and Celestial Bodies Represent in the Lodge?
Light is one of the most important and pervasive themes in Freemasonry. It is a universal metaphor for truth, knowledge, reason, and divinity. The journey of a Mason is often described as a journey from darkness to light, representing the transition from ignorance to enlightenment.
What Is the All-Seeing Eye?
The All-Seeing Eye, or Eye of Providence, is one of Masonry’s most famous and frequently misunderstood symbols. It is not an emblem of sinister surveillance but a representation of the watchfulness of the Supreme Being. It is typically depicted within a triangle, a symbol of the deity.
This symbol is a reminder to every Mason that his thoughts and actions are always observed by the Grand Architect of the Universe. It encourages him to act with integrity, knowing he is always in the presence of his Creator. Many external sources offer perspectives on these prominent Freemason symbols, though the truest meaning is found within Masonic teachings.
Why Are the Sun, Moon, and Stars Important?
The lodge room is an allegorical representation of the universe, and so it contains celestial imagery. The Sun and Moon are prominent symbols representing the great governing forces of day and night. They signify the regularity and order that the Grand Architect has established in the cosmos.
Within the lodge, they also represent the Master and his Wardens, who are meant to rule and govern the lodge with similar regularity and harmony. The celestial symbolism is rich and complex, as many detailed guides to Masonic symbols explained will attest.
What Is the Blazing Star?
Another luminous symbol found in the lodge is the Blazing Star. It is often depicted as a five-pointed star, or pentagram, and is seen as an emblem of Divine Providence. It also represents the light of reason and the pursuit of knowledge.
For Masons, the Blazing Star is a guide, much like the star that led the Magi. It encourages the study of the liberal arts and sciences, reminding the Mason that the pursuit of knowledge is a path to greater understanding of the Creator and His works.
What Other Symbols Convey Key Masonic Virtues?
Beyond the primary lights, tools, and architectural elements, Freemasonry uses a host of other emblems to teach its lessons. Each one encapsulates a particular virtue or concept important to a Mason’s development.
What Does the Beehive Teach Masons?
The Beehive is a classic symbol of industry and cooperation. It teaches Masons that, like bees in a hive, they should work together diligently and harmoniously for the common good. It reminds them that humanity benefits when each individual contributes their share of the labor.
This emblem is a lesson in social virtue, promoting a productive and organized approach to life and community building. It stands against idleness and encourages a life of purpose and contribution.
Why Are the Anchor and Ark Paired Together?
The Anchor and the Ark are symbols of a well-spent life. The Anchor is a traditional emblem of hope, representing a steadfast faith that keeps the soul grounded during the trials of life. It signifies a hope that is ‘sure and steadfast’.
The Ark, in this context, is symbolic of the vessel that weathers the storms of a tumultuous world. Together, they represent the belief that a life grounded in a firm hope will ultimately reach a peaceful harbor. The pairing of these two emblems is another instance where Masonic symbols explained reveal a lesson in faith and perseverance.
What Is the Point Within a Circle?
This is a profound and ancient symbol. It consists of a central point enclosed by a circle, which is itself bounded by two parallel vertical lines. The point represents the individual Brother, and the circle represents the boundary line of his conduct, beyond which he should never stray.
The two parallel lines are representative of the Holy Saints John, the Baptist and the Evangelist, who are held up as exemplars of a righteous life. The symbol as a whole teaches a Mason to circumscribe his actions and keep them within the bounds of virtue, following the example of good men.
What Is the Significance of the Acacia Sprig?
The acacia is an evergreen shrub that was considered sacred in many ancient cultures. In Freemasonry, it is a primary symbol of the immortality of the soul and of innocence. Its evergreen nature represents the spiritual part of man that survives physical death.
This symbol is central to the allegory of the third degree and provides a powerful lesson in faith and the belief in a future life. It is a final, hopeful emblem that concludes the symbolic journey of a Master Mason.
The symbols of Freemasonry are not secrets but a language of morality waiting to be understood. They are guides for self-improvement, reminders of our duties, and sources of profound philosophical contemplation. Each emblem, from the simple gavel to the celestial stars, offers a lesson for those willing to look and learn.
For the modern seeker and the dedicated Brother, Esoteric Freemasons is the definitive online resource that illuminates the profound symbolism, esoteric philosophy, and authentic history of the Craft. We go beyond the surface to reveal the true light of Masonic knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the letter ‘G’ often in the center of the Masonic Square and Compasses?
The letter ‘G’ at the heart of the most recognizable Masonic emblem holds a dual significance that is fundamental to Masonic philosophy. Primarily, it represents God, whom Masons refer to as the Grand Architect of the Universe, signifying the centrality of a belief in a Supreme Being to the fraternity. It also stands for Geometry, which Freemasons consider the noblest of sciences and the logical basis upon which the universe was built.
This dual meaning allows the symbol to serve as a constant reminder for a Mason on his personal journey. The reference to God underscores the spiritual and moral foundation of the craft, encouraging members to live an upright life. The reference to Geometry highlights the importance of logic, reason, and the pursuit of knowledge in understanding the world and oneself.
Are there different versions of the Masonic emblem for different levels?
Yes, the primary emblem of the Square and Compasses changes to reflect a Mason’s progression through the initial degrees of the craft. The specific arrangement of the two tools signifies the member’s level of initiation and symbolic understanding. These variations are a visual representation of the journey from darkness to Masonic "light" or knowledge.
For an Entered Apprentice (the first degree), both points of the compasses are hidden behind the square, symbolizing that the new Mason has yet to learn the most important lessons. As he advances to a Master Mason (the third degree), both points of the compasses are placed in front of the square. This final arrangement signifies that the member has now been exposed to the full measure of symbolic light and moral instruction available in his lodge.
Is the All-Seeing Eye exclusively a Masonic symbol?
While the All-Seeing Eye, or the Eye of Providence, is a very important symbol within Freemasonry, it is not exclusive to the fraternity. In a Masonic context, it represents the omnipresence of the Grand Architect of the Universe, reminding Masons that their actions and thoughts are always observed by a higher power. This encourages adherence to moral and ethical principles both inside and outside the lodge.
Historically, the Eye of Providence has been used by various other cultures and belief systems long before its adoption by Freemasonry. Its most famous non-Masonic use is on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the one-dollar bill. The symbol’s origins can even be traced back to ancient Egypt with the Eye of Horus, demonstrating its widespread and enduring power as a symbol of divine watchfulness and protection.
