Masonic Symbols Explained: A Complete Glossary of Meanings
For centuries, the world of Freemasonry has captivated the imagination of outsiders. Its perceived secrecy and rich history are often punctuated by a unique and mysterious visual language. At the heart of this ancient fraternity lies a complex system of symbols, each one a vessel for profound moral, ethical, and philosophical teachings. These are not mere decorations but educational tools designed to guide a Mason on his journey of self-improvement.
To the uninitiated, these emblems can seem cryptic, but they form the very foundation of Masonic education. They are a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, speaking directly to the core principles of the Craft. Understanding these Masonic symbols is the first step toward appreciating the deep well of wisdom that Freemasonry offers to its members.
This glossary aims to peel back the layers of allegory and reveal the meanings behind the most significant symbols in Freemasonry. It is a guide for the curious and a reference for those seeking to understand how simple tools and geometric figures can convey life’s most important lessons about integrity, truth, and personal growth.
Why Does Freemasonry Use Symbols?
Have you ever wondered why a society dedicated to philosophy and morality would rely so heavily on pictures and objects? The use of symbolism is a cornerstone of the Masonic method, a tradition rooted in both history and human psychology. Symbols are powerful communicators, capable of conveying complex ideas more effectively than words alone.
Historically, Freemasonry evolved from the guilds of operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles of Europe. These craftsmen used physical tools and architectural principles in their daily work. Early Freemasons adopted these tools not for building structures of stone, but for building a better inner self. The tools of the trade became symbols for constructing a more virtuous and honorable character.
Furthermore, symbolism encourages personal reflection. A single definition might be forgotten, but an emblem invites contemplation. Each Mason is encouraged to meditate on the symbols and discover their personal significance, leading to a deeper and more lasting understanding of the principles they represent. This method makes learning an active, lifelong pursuit rather than a passive reception of facts.
What Are the Most Common Masonic Symbols?
The landscape of Masonic symbolism is vast and intricate, but a few key emblems are universally recognized as central to the Craft. These symbols are introduced to a Mason from his very first day in the Lodge and are revisited throughout his Masonic journey, with their meanings unfolding and deepening over time. They are the essential vocabulary of this unique allegorical system.
What is the Meaning of the Square and Compasses?
Perhaps no symbol is more synonymous with Freemasonry than the Square and Compasses, often depicted with the letter ‘G’ at its center. This emblem is a masterclass in layered meaning. The Square is a builder’s tool for ensuring that angles are true and stones are perfectly cut. Symbolically, it represents morality, truth, and honesty. To ‘act on the square’ is a Masonic admonition to live a life of virtue and fairness with all of mankind.
The Compasses are used to draw circles, defining boundaries and creating perfect forms. For a Mason, this symbolizes the importance of circumscribing one’s passions and desires. It is a reminder to keep one’s life in due bounds, practicing moderation and self-control to avoid excess and chaos. It teaches a man to draw a boundary between his own needs and the rights of others.
The letter ‘G’ suspended in the middle holds a dual significance. It stands for Geometry, the mathematical science upon which the art of masonry is founded and a pathway to understanding the natural world. It also represents God, or the Great Architect of the Universe, reminding a Mason that a divine presence is at the center of his life and his work within the Lodge.
What Does the All-Seeing Eye Represent?
The All-Seeing Eye, or the Eye of Providence, is another powerful and widely recognized symbol, though it is not exclusive to Freemasonry. Depicted as a single eye, often enclosed within a triangle and surrounded by rays of light, it serves as a potent reminder of divine omniscience. It symbolizes the constant watchfulness of the Supreme Being.
For a Mason, this emblem is a source of both comfort and caution. It signifies that all of his actions, thoughts, and intentions, whether in public or in private, are observed by the Great Architect. This encourages him to live a life of integrity, knowing that he is always accountable for his conduct. The symbolism of the All-Seeing Eye reinforces the Masonic tenets of truth and justice, serving as a moral compass in a member’s daily life. It is one of the most profound of all these iconic Masonic mason symbols.
What Do the Sun, Moon, and Stars Symbolize?
A Masonic Lodge is said to be a representation of the world, and as such, it is adorned with celestial imagery. The Sun and Moon are prominent symbols found within the Lodge room, representing the great dualities of existence: light and darkness, day and night, action and reflection. They govern the endless cycle of time and serve as a reminder of the order and regularity that governs the universe.
The Sun represents the logical, rational, and active principles. It rules the day and illuminates the world, just as reason illuminates the mind. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge, who presides over its activities, is symbolically associated with the Sun. The Moon, in contrast, governs the night and represents the intuitive, reflective, and receptive aspects of our nature. Together, they teach a Mason about the importance of balance in his life. The vast collection of Freemason signs and symbols often includes these celestial bodies to illustrate universal principles.
Why are the Two Pillars, Boaz and Jachin, Important?
At the entrance to every Masonic Lodge stand two prominent pillars, named Boaz and Jachin. These are symbolic representations of the great bronze pillars that stood at the porch of King Solomon’s Temple, a structure of immense significance in Masonic lore. The names are Hebrew; Boaz is translated as ‘in strength’, and Jachin means ‘He will establish’.
Together, they signify that God will establish his temple in strength. Symbolically, they mark the entrance to a sacred space, a point of transition from the profane outer world to the sanctified inner world of the Lodge. They represent the principles of stability and establishment. For the individual Mason, passing between these pillars symbolizes his entry into a new way of life, one founded on strength of character and established in faith and truth. You can find these pillars in almost any comprehensive list of freemason symbols.
What is the Significance of the Rough and Perfect Ashlars?
The Ashlars are two symbolic stones that convey the entire purpose of the Masonic journey. The Rough Ashlar is a stone taken directly from the quarry, in its natural, unrefined, and imperfect state. It represents man as he is born into the world: ignorant, uncultivated, and subject to the vices and passions of his untamed nature.
The Perfect Ashlar, by contrast, is a stone that has been carefully shaped, squared, and polished by the hands of a skilled craftsman. It is ready to be used in the construction of a great edifice. This stone represents man after he has improved himself through education, discipline, and the application of Masonic teachings. The journey from the Rough to the Perfect Ashlar is the allegorical work of every Freemason, a lifelong process of self-development and moral refinement. This transformation is at the core of the journey of a 1st Degree Mason.
What Do the Plumb, Level, and Square Teach?
Beyond the primary Square used with the Compasses, a set of three ‘working tools’ holds special significance: the Plumb, the Level, and the Square. These are presented to Masons to teach them specific moral lessons. They are simple tools, yet their symbolic application is profound.
The Plumb is a weight suspended from a line, used to determine a true vertical. For a Mason, it symbolizes uprightness of conduct. It is a constant reminder to live a just and honorable life, walking uprightly before God and man. The Level is a tool used to ascertain a true horizontal line. It symbolizes equality, reminding Masons that all men are created equal and meet on the same level, regardless of their station in life. The Square, as mentioned before, is the symbol of morality and virtue. Together, these three tools guide a Mason in building a character that is upright, equitable, and virtuous. You can explore further explanations of Masonic symbols to see how these tools are applied in different contexts.
Are There Other Important Masonic Symbols?
While the symbols above are some of the most prominent, the Masonic visual lexicon is incredibly rich. Many other emblems serve to illustrate the core tenets of the Craft. Each object, no matter how simple, is imbued with meaning and serves as a point of contemplation for the discerning Mason.
What Does the Masonic Apron Signify?
The lambskin or white leather apron is the most visible and defining badge of a Freemason. Its symbolism is rooted in both antiquity and its operative past. Historically, stonemasons wore aprons of hardened leather to protect themselves from rough stones and sharp tools. In speculative Freemasonry, the apron’s purpose is purely symbolic.
Made of white lambskin, it represents purity and innocence. It is the first gift a Mason receives, and he is taught that it is more honorable than any worldly decoration or title. Wearing the apron is a constant reminder of the need for a pure heart and the importance of a blameless life. It connects the modern Mason to a long and honorable tradition of builders and thinkers.
What is the Meaning of the Beehive?
The beehive is a classic Masonic symbol of industry and cooperation. It teaches that Masons, like bees in a hive, should work together with diligence and harmony for the common good. It emphasizes that man was not meant to live in isolation but to be a productive member of society, contributing his efforts to the well-being of all.
The symbol serves as a lesson against idleness and vice, encouraging a life of productive labor and organized effort. Just as the work of each bee contributes to the sweetness of the honey and the strength of the hive, the work of each Mason should contribute to the betterment of his community and the world. This is one of many other Freemason symbols that draw lessons from the natural world.
Why is the Anchor and Ark a Masonic Symbol?
The Anchor and Ark are typically presented together as symbols of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. The Ark, representing the vessel that weathered the great flood, symbolizes the journey of life. It is a reminder that we all travel upon the ‘tempestuous sea of life’ and must navigate its challenges and uncertainties.
The Anchor, in this context, represents hope. It is that which holds us steady during the storms of passion, strife, and adversity. It symbolizes a steadfast belief in a divine harbor, a safe port that can be reached after a virtuous and well-lived life. Together, they teach a Mason to remain hopeful and steadfast in his faith, no matter the difficulties he may face.
What is the Point Within a Circle?
This is a complex and beautiful geometric symbol. It consists of a central point, enclosed by a circle, which is itself bounded by two perpendicular parallel lines. At the top of the circle, the Volume of Sacred Law is often depicted. The point represents the individual Mason, and the circle represents the boundary line of his conduct, beyond which he should never stray.
The two parallel lines represent Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, two eminent patrons of Freemasonry. They serve as exemplars of correct and righteous living. As long as a Mason keeps himself within this circle and between these lines, it is said he cannot materially err. There are more masonic symbols explained in detail that follow this pattern of geometric morality.
How Does One Truly Understand These Symbols?
Merely memorizing the definitions of Masonic symbols is not the same as understanding them. True understanding is a personal and evolving journey. It comes from contemplation, study, and the application of these symbolic lessons in one’s own life. The symbols are not dogmatic; they are designed to provoke thought and inspire introspection.
Freemasonry encourages each member to look at a symbol like the Level and not just think ‘equality’, but to ask himself: ‘Am I treating everyone I meet with fairness and respect? Am I looking past their worldly wealth or status to see their true character?’. The symbols are mirrors held up to the self, tools for continuous moral and ethical inventory.
The meanings are revealed gradually, as a Mason progresses through the degrees of the Craft and dedicates himself to its study. What a symbol means to an Entered Apprentice may be different from what it means to a Master Mason with decades of experience. This layered, unfolding nature is the true genius of Masonic education. It is a system that grows with the individual, offering new light and deeper wisdom at every stage of life’s journey.
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
Can a non-Mason reliably identify a Freemason using these signs?
While some Masonic signs are intentionally public, reliably identifying a member can be difficult for a non-Mason. Symbols like the Square and Compasses on a ring or a car emblem openly suggest an affiliation. However, these items can be purchased and worn by anyone, so they are not definitive proof of membership.
Truly secret signs, such as specific handshakes or phrases, are taught only to members and are designed to be subtle. Their primary purpose is for one Mason to recognize another, not for public identification by outsiders. Therefore, while you might see clues that suggest a connection to the fraternity, you cannot be certain of someone’s membership without them confirming it themselves.
What is the historical purpose of Masonic signs and symbols?
The use of secret signs and symbols originates from the era of operative stonemasons who built Europe’s great cathedrals and castles. These skilled craftsmen needed a way to prove their qualifications and rank when traveling from one town to another for work. Secret handshakes (grips) and words allowed them to identify themselves as legitimate members of the trade, protecting their wages and trade secrets from imposters.
As Freemasonry evolved from a workers’ guild into a philosophical or "speculative" fraternity, the purpose of these signs shifted. Today, they serve primarily as a method for members to recognize each other and as allegorical tools to teach moral and ethical lessons. They reinforce the bonds of brotherhood and the shared principles that are taught within the lodge environment.
Are there common symbols often mistaken for being Masonic?
Yes, several symbols are frequently and incorrectly attributed exclusively to Freemasonry, most notably the Eye of Providence on a pyramid. While Freemasonry does use the All-Seeing Eye as a symbol for God, its depiction on an unfinished pyramid is more famously associated with the Great Seal of the United States. This imagery has been popularly co-opted by conspiracy theories, creating widespread confusion between the fraternity and other groups like the Illuminati.
Other symbols like the pentagram or the ouroboros (a snake eating its own tail) are also sometimes mistakenly linked to the fraternity. While these may appear in some esoteric traditions that have influenced Masonry, they are not official or universal Masonic symbols. This confusion often arises because Freemasonry draws upon a wide range of historical and philosophical symbolism, leading to overlap with other organizations.
