Masonic Symbols Explained: A Complete Glossary of Meanings
Freemasonry, one of the world’s oldest and most well-known fraternities, often evokes images of mystery and secrecy. At the heart of this mystique lies a rich and complex system of symbols. These are not mere decorations but a sophisticated visual language designed to teach profound moral and philosophical lessons to its members. For those outside the Craft, these emblems can seem cryptic, but they are keys to understanding the fraternity’s core tenets.
This guide is designed to pull back the veil and offer a clear explanation of these powerful emblems. By exploring the meanings behind the Craft’s most iconic imagery, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the principles of self-improvement, morality, and brotherhood that Freemasonry champions. The entire system is a beautiful allegory, and a comprehensive list of Masonic symbols reveals a journey of personal and spiritual development.
Understanding this symbolic language is essential for anyone curious about the Masonic tradition. Each symbol is a stepping stone to a greater understanding, a piece of a larger puzzle that encourages contemplation and introspection. Let us begin our journey into this fascinating world by exploring the purpose and meaning of these ancient and enduring designs.
Why Does Freemasonry Use Symbols?
Freemasonry’s use of symbolism is rooted in its very origins. The fraternity evolved from the guilds of operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles of Europe. In an era when many people were illiterate, symbols were a practical and effective way to convey complex ideas, trade secrets, and moral principles.
A simple mark could identify a mason’s work, while the tools of their trade became metaphors for building a better self. The square taught a man to be moral and true in his dealings. The compasses reminded him to keep his passions within due bounds. This method of teaching through allegory proved incredibly effective and has remained a central part of Masonic education ever since.
Symbols also serve as a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. A Mason from North America can visit a lodge in Japan or Brazil and, despite not speaking the local language, understand the moral lessons being presented through the shared language of symbolism. It creates a common ground and reinforces the global nature of the brotherhood.
This symbolic framework is not meant to be a rigid dogma. Instead, it provides a structure for personal reflection. Each Mason is encouraged to contemplate the symbols and discover their own personal meaning within the context of the fraternity’s teachings. This process of discovery is a fundamental aspect of the Masonic journey.
What Are the Most Common Masonic Symbols?
While the list of Masonic symbols is extensive, a few stand out as the most recognizable and fundamental to the Craft’s teachings. These primary emblems are introduced to a Mason early in his journey and are revisited throughout his Masonic life, with their meanings deepening over time. Let’s explore some of the most significant ones.
What is the Meaning of the Square and Compasses?
Without a doubt, the Square and Compasses are the most widely recognized symbol of Freemasonry. This emblem is a composition of two stonemason’s tools, each with a distinct and powerful moral application. It represents the core values that a Mason strives to live by.
The square is a tool used to test the accuracy of right angles and to ensure that a stone is ‘true’. Symbolically, it represents morality, honesty, and truthfulness. To ‘act on the square’ is a Masonic phrase meaning to be fair and honest in all dealings with mankind. It is the standard of virtue by which a Mason should measure his actions.
The compasses are used to draw circles and arcs, defining boundaries and limits. In Masonic symbolism, they represent the importance of self-restraint and keeping one’s passions and desires within proper bounds. They remind a Mason to circumscribe his desires and avoid excess, thus maintaining balance in his life.
Often, the letter ‘G’ is found in the center of the Square and Compasses. This letter has multiple layers of meaning. For many, it represents God, or the Great Architect of the Universe, who is central to Masonic philosophy. It can also stand for Geometry, the mathematical science upon which stonemasonry and all of creation are believed to be founded.
What Does the All-Seeing Eye Represent?
The All-Seeing Eye, or the Eye of Providence, is another potent symbol often associated with Freemasonry, though it is not exclusive to the Craft. Typically depicted within a triangle and surrounded by rays of light, it serves as a constant reminder of a higher power’s watchfulness.
For a Mason, the symbol represents the omniscience of the Great Architect of the Universe. It signifies that all thoughts and actions, whether public or private, are observed by this divine being. This is not meant to be an intimidating or fearful concept but rather a source of comfort and accountability.
The All-Seeing Eye encourages a Mason to live a life of integrity, knowing that his deeds will not go unnoticed. It reinforces the idea that true character is defined by what a person does when they believe no one is watching. The symbol is a call to live uprightly and to be mindful of one’s conscience at all times.
Why is the Masonic Apron So Important?
The lambskin or white leather apron is arguably the most personal and significant emblem in all of Freemasonry. It is the first gift a Mason receives and is considered a badge of honor and distinction. Its symbolism is deeply rooted in antiquity and the practical gear of ancient stonemasons.
The apron’s color, white, universally represents purity and innocence. When presented to a new Mason, it is meant to remind him of the pure and unblemished life he should strive to lead. It is a symbol of a clean slate, a commitment to building a moral and spiritual edifice upon a foundation of virtue. The apron is a key part of the freemason initiation process.
Beyond its symbolism of innocence, the apron also represents the dignity of labor. It connects modern Masons to their operative predecessors, who wore aprons to protect themselves while they worked. For a Freemason today, it signifies the noble and glorious work of self-improvement and contributing to the betterment of society. It is worn with pride in every lodge meeting.
What Do the Two Pillars, Boaz and Jachin, Signify?
Prominently featured in every Masonic lodge are two pillars, named Boaz and Jachin. These are symbolic representations of the two great bronze pillars that stood at the porch or entrance to King Solomon’s Temple, a central structure in Masonic allegory.
Boaz, the pillar on the left, is translated to mean ‘in strength’. Jachin, the pillar on the right, means ‘He will establish’. Together, their names can be interpreted as ‘In strength, He will establish this house’, referring to the Temple and, by extension, the institution of Freemasonry. They symbolize stability and foundation.
For an individual Mason, passing between these pillars upon entering the lodge is symbolic of entering a space of learning and moral development, supported by divine strength and establishment. The pillars represent a gateway from the profane outer world to the sanctified inner world of the lodge, a place of enlightenment and brotherhood.
What is the Significance of the Rough and Perfect Ashlars?
The ashlars are two symbolic stones that are typically found in a Masonic lodge. The Rough Ashlar is a stone as it is taken from the quarry, in its natural, unrefined state. The Perfect Ashlar is a stone that has been shaped, smoothed, and squared by the tools of the stonemason, ready to be used in a building.
These two stones are a powerful allegory for the process of human development. The Rough Ashlar represents man in his natural state: ignorant, uncultivated, and subject to the vices and passions of his untamed nature. It is a symbol of our starting point in the journey of life.
The Perfect Ashlar, in contrast, represents man after he has improved himself through education, discipline, and the cultivation of virtue. It is the ideal state that a Mason strives to achieve by applying the moral lessons and working tools of the Craft to his own character. This transformation from the rough to the perfect state is the central work of a Freemason’s life, as detailed in many texts about Masonic symbols explained.
What Does the Masonic Trowel Symbolize?
While tools like the square and compasses are used for measuring and designing, the trowel is a tool for building. It is used by operative masons to spread the cement that binds stones together into a single, solid structure. In speculative Freemasonry, its symbolic meaning is just as important.
The trowel is considered the principal working tool of a Master Mason. It symbolizes the concept of brotherly love and affection, which is the ‘cement’ that unites the fraternity. A Mason is taught to use the symbolic trowel to spread this cement, strengthening the bonds between members and uniting them into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers. There are many unique masonic mason symbols but the trowel is among the most cherished.
This symbolism extends beyond the walls of the lodge. The trowel reminds a Mason of his duty to spread kindness, goodwill, and charity throughout his community and the world at large. It is an emblem of peacemaking and the constructive work of building a better, more harmonious society.
How Are the Sun, Moon, and Stars Used in Masonic Symbolism?
The celestial bodies play a significant role in the symbolic tapestry of a Masonic lodge. The sun, moon, and stars are often depicted on lodge ceilings or charts, representing the magnificent order and regularity of the universe created by the Great Architect.
The Sun is a symbol of the light of reason and knowledge that governs the day. It also represents the Master of the Lodge, who is tasked with presiding over and illuminating the Craft with his wisdom. The Moon, which governs the night, symbolizes reflection and the lesser light of knowledge that can be found even in times of darkness or uncertainty. Its light is a reflection of the sun’s, just as a Mason’s knowledge is a reflection of divine wisdom.
The stars represent the countless worlds and the vastness of the universe, reminding Masons of the grand scale of the divine plan. They also symbolize the senior members of the Craft whose wisdom and experience shine as guides for their younger brethren. These celestial emblems, like the masonic symbols explained in this article, remind Masons of the harmony and precision that should govern their own lives.
What is the Meaning of the Level and the Plumb?
The level and the plumb are two more working tools of an operative mason that have been adopted into speculative Freemasonry for their rich moral symbolism. They are the primary tools associated with the Fellowcraft degree, the second stage in a Mason’s journey.
The level is an instrument used to check for horizontal accuracy. Symbolically, it represents equality. It teaches Masons that all men are created equal and share the same journey from life to death. Within the lodge, Masons meet ‘on the level’, meaning that worldly distinctions of wealth or status are left at the door. It is a powerful reminder of our common humanity.
The plumb, or plumb-line, is used to ensure a wall is vertically true. As a Masonic symbol, it represents rectitude of conduct and living an upright life before God and man. It reminds a Mason to be just and unwavering in his moral principles, to walk uprightly in his various stations in life. The lessons taught by these tools are fundamental to understanding masonic symbols.
What is the Point Within a Circle?
This is a more esoteric symbol, often depicted on lodge tracing boards. It consists of a central point enclosed by a circle, which is itself bounded by two parallel vertical lines. Atop the circle, the Volume of Sacred Law is often placed.
The point represents the individual Brother, and the circle represents the boundary line of his conduct. A Mason should never allow his passions or interests to lead him outside this boundary, which separates good from evil. The circle is therefore a symbol of moral self-restraint.
The two parallel lines represent St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, two eminent patrons of Freemasonry. They serve as models of righteous living that a Mason should strive to emulate. As long as a Mason keeps himself within this circle and is guided by the principles of the sacred law and the examples of these two great figures, he cannot materially err. This complex emblem, like other Masonic symbols explained here, invites deep contemplation.
What About Secret Symbols Like Handshakes?
Few topics generate as much public curiosity as the so-called ‘secret’ signs and handshakes of Freemasonry. While often sensationalized, their purpose is quite practical and historical. These are not sinister secrets but are known within the Craft as modes of recognition.
In the days of operative stonemasonry, craftsmen traveled from town to town seeking work. They needed a reliable way to prove their level of skill and training to a new foreman. Specific words, signs, and grips served as a kind of portable resume, confirming that they were qualified members of the trade guild. Each freemason symbol had a purpose.
Today, speculative Freemasons continue this tradition. These modes of recognition serve to guard the fraternity against imposters and to allow a Mason to identify himself to other members anywhere in the world. They are a symbolic link to the Craft’s operative past and a way of ensuring that the privacy of the lodge is maintained.
How Does One Interpret These Symbols?
There is no single, definitive interpretation for every Masonic symbol. While the Craft provides a foundational explanation for each emblem, Masons are encouraged to engage in personal reflection to uncover deeper layers of meaning. The symbolism is designed to be a catalyst for thought, not a set of rigid doctrines.
The meaning of a symbol can evolve for a Mason as he progresses through the degrees and gains more experience in life. An emblem that he understood one way as a new Apprentice may reveal new and more profound insights to him as a Master Mason years later. This continuous unfolding of meaning is a key part of the Masonic educational system.
Ultimately, the symbols of Freemasonry are tools for building character. Their interpretation is less an academic exercise and more a practical application of moral philosophy to one’s own life. They are meant to be lived, not just learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Masonic symbols evil or satanic? No. This is a common and unfortunate misconception. Masonic symbolism is focused on morality, self-improvement, and belief in a Supreme Being. The symbols are tools to teach virtue, truth, and charity. There is nothing evil or satanic in their meaning or application.
Do you have to be religious to be a Freemason? A candidate for Freemasonry must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. However, Freemasonry is not a religion and does not require adherence to any specific creed or dogma. It is open to men of all faiths, and discussions of specific religious doctrine are not permitted in the lodge to preserve harmony.
Can anyone understand Masonic symbols? The basic meanings of many Masonic symbols are openly discussed and available for anyone to study, just as in this article. However, the deeper, personal, and contextual understanding of the symbols is something that unfolds through participation in the ceremonies and teachings of the Craft.
Why is geometry so important in Freemasonry? Geometry is central to Freemasonry because it is seen as the science upon which the universe is built. For the original operative stonemasons, it was the foundation of their craft. For modern speculative Masons, it is a symbol of the order, harmony, and logic of the Great Architect’s creation and a model for rational and moral living.
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.
