Masonic Symbols Explained: A Complete Glossary of Meanings
For centuries, the symbols of Freemasonry have captured the public imagination, evoking a sense of mystery, ancient wisdom, and profound secrets. These emblems, seen on historic buildings, ceremonial regalia, and personal jewelry, are not mere decorations. They form a rich, allegorical language designed to teach complex moral and philosophical lessons to its members.
The journey into the Craft is a journey into this symbolic language. Each emblem, tool, and allegory builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive system for self-improvement and contemplation. While the symbols themselves are not secret, their deeper meanings are revealed progressively, allowing a Mason to grow in understanding as he advances through the degrees. This guide offers a foundational look at the most prominent Masonic symbols explained: a complete glossary of meanings, providing clarity for the curious and deeper context for the initiated.
Freemasonry uses this visual lexicon because symbols transcend the limitations of spoken language. They convey abstract ideas in a universal and timeless manner, connecting Masons across centuries and cultures. These are not signs of a clandestine society but rather tools for building a better self, one lesson at a time.
What is Freemasonry and Why Does It Use Symbols?
At its core, Freemasonry is often described as a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. It is a fraternity dedicated to the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, guiding its members on a path of personal and spiritual development. The organization’s structure and symbolism are rooted in the guilds of operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles of Europe.
These ancient builders used working tools not only for their craft but also as a way to teach lessons of geometry, architecture, and ethics to apprentices. When Freemasonry evolved from an operative craft to a speculative one, it retained these tools as its primary symbols. A trowel was no longer just for laying mortar; it became a symbol for spreading the cement of brotherly love. A square was no longer just for ensuring a perfect right angle; it became a reminder to square one’s actions by the square of virtue.
This symbolic method of teaching is incredibly effective. An image or an object can contain layers of meaning that a simple statement cannot. It encourages contemplation and personal interpretation, allowing each Mason to connect with the lessons on his own terms. The symbols act as focal points for meditation on life’s great questions, making the fraternity’s teachings a lived experience rather than a dry set of rules.
What Are the Most Common Masonic Symbols?
The visual landscape of Freemasonry is vast and intricate. While countless emblems exist within its various degrees and appendant bodies, a core set of symbols forms the foundation of Masonic teaching. These are introduced early in a Mason’s journey and are revisited time and again, each time revealing a new layer of meaning.
What is the Meaning of the Square and Compasses?
No symbol is more widely identified with Freemasonry than the Square and Compasses. It is the universal emblem of the Craft. The two tools are placed together, often with the letter ‘G’ in the center, to form a single, powerful device. Each component has its own distinct meaning.
The Square is an emblem of virtue. It is a builder’s tool used to test the accuracy of right angles and to ensure that a stone is true and square. For a speculative Mason, it is a constant reminder to regulate his life and actions by the principles of morality and to be ‘square’ in his dealings with all of mankind. It represents earthliness, the body, and the need to act with rectitude in the material world.
The Compasses are used to draw circles and are a symbol of self-restraint and the importance of circumscribing one’s desires and keeping passions within due bounds. Just as the tool creates a defined boundary, a Mason is taught to define the limits of his conduct toward others, particularly his Brothers. The Compasses represent spirituality, the soul, and the divine realm. The two points of the compasses are often said to represent the two great pillars of faith and reason. The Square and Compasses are arguably the most recognized of all Masonic symbols explained to the public.
The letter ‘G’ suspended in the center typically stands for two important concepts: God and Geometry. It reminds a Mason that God, or the Grand Architect of the Universe, is at the center of his life and actions. It also points to Geometry, the mathematical science upon which the art of stonemasonry was founded, symbolizing the order and precision of the universe itself.
What Does the All-Seeing Eye Represent?
The All-Seeing Eye, or the Eye of Providence, is another well-known symbol often associated with the Craft. It is typically depicted as a single human eye enclosed within a triangle, often surrounded by rays of light. While this symbol is used by other groups and can be seen on the Great Seal of the United States, in Freemasonry it holds a specific and profound meaning.
It is a symbol of the omniscience and watchfulness of the Supreme Being. It serves as a powerful reminder to every Mason that his thoughts, words, and actions are constantly observed by the Grand Architect of the Universe. This is not meant to be a threatening or intimidating concept but rather a comforting and guiding one.
The knowledge that a higher power is a witness to one’s life encourages sincerity and integrity. It reinforces the idea that true character is defined by what one does when no one else is watching. The All-Seeing Eye symbolizes divine truth and the ultimate spiritual light that every Mason seeks to find on his journey.
Why is the Masonic Apron So Important?
The Masonic apron is the single most important piece of regalia a Freemason wears. It is the ‘badge of a Mason’ and the first gift he receives upon his initiation. Its significance is rooted in both the operative and speculative traditions of the Craft.
For operative stonemasons, a strong leather apron was an essential piece of protective equipment. It shielded them from rough stones and sharp tools, signifying their status as honest laborers. In speculative Freemasonry, the apron retains this symbolism of honor in labor but takes on a deeper moral meaning.
The Entered Apprentice apron is made of pure white lambskin, a symbol of innocence, purity, and sacrifice. The lamb has been a symbol of innocence throughout history, and the white apron reminds a Mason of the pure heart and clean conscience he should strive to maintain. It is more honorable than any worldly rank or title because it represents a commitment to a blameless and useful life.
As a Mason progresses through the degrees, his apron may become more ornate, decorated with symbols that reflect the lessons of those degrees. However, the foundational symbolism of the simple white apron is never lost. It remains a constant reminder of his primary obligations and the pure intentions with which he first entered the Lodge.
What is the Significance of the Plumb, Level, and Square?
These three working tools are central to the first three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry and represent the core tenets of a Mason’s conduct. They are the ‘immovable jewels’ of the Lodge, alongside the Rough and Perfect Ashlars, because they teach the foundational principles of the Craft. The lessons of the Level and Plumb are fundamental, forming a core part of the Masonic symbols explained to every new member.
The Plumb is a tool used to determine if a wall is vertically true. Symbolically, it represents uprightness of conduct. It reminds a Mason to live an erect and honorable life before God and man, never deviating from the line of integrity. It is the moral straightness that is expected of every member.
The Level is a tool used to ensure a surface is perfectly horizontal. It is a powerful symbol of equality. It teaches Masons that all men are created equal and that within the Lodge, they meet on the level, regardless of their station in life, wealth, or background. It reminds them to treat every person with fairness and respect.
The Square, as previously mentioned, is the emblem of virtue and morality. It combines the lessons of the Plumb and Level, teaching a Mason to be upright in his actions and equal in his dealings with others. Together, these three tools provide a complete blueprint for moral and ethical behavior.
What Do the Two Pillars, Boaz and Jachin, Symbolize?
Prominently featured in every Masonic Lodge are representations of two large pillars, named Boaz and Jachin. These are based on the two bronze pillars that stood at the porch or entrance to King Solomon’s Temple, one of the central allegorical structures in Masonic lore.
According to the biblical account, Boaz stood on the left and Jachin on the right. Boaz is said to mean ‘in strength’, while Jachin means ‘He will establish’. Together, their names could be interpreted as ‘In strength, He will establish this house’. For Freemasons, these pillars represent the entrance to the sanctuary of knowledge and the threshold between the profane outer world and the sacred space of the Lodge.
They symbolize strength and stability, the twin supports necessary for any great and important undertaking. They also represent the dualities of nature, such as light and darkness, active and passive, or reason and faith. To pass between the pillars is to begin the journey of reconciling these opposites and achieving balance and harmony in one’s life. The journey to understand what Masonic symbols mean is a personal one for each member, with the pillars marking a significant starting point.
What Does the Rough and Perfect Ashlar Mean?
The Rough and Perfect Ashlars are two stone blocks that are typically found in a Masonic Lodge. They are powerful allegorical symbols of the process of self-improvement that is at the heart of the Masonic journey. The list of emblems is extensive, and this rich visual language is a key reason many are drawn to study Freemason symbols.
The Rough Ashlar is a stone as it is taken from the quarry, in its natural, unrefined, and imperfect state. It represents man in his ignorant and uncultivated condition. It is the raw material, full of potential but needing education, discipline, and experience to become something more.
The Perfect Ashlar is a stone that has been smoothed, squared, and finished by the hands of the skilled craftsman. It is ready to be used in the construction of a great edifice. This symbolizes man who, through Masonic education, self-discipline, and a life of virtue, has perfected his character and made himself a more fitting stone for the ‘spiritual building’ of humanity. The transformation from the Rough to the Perfect Ashlar is the lifelong work of every Mason.
What is the Symbolism of the Trowel?
The Trowel is one of the working tools of a Master Mason. While operative masons used the trowel to spread the cement that binds stones together, speculative Masons use it for a nobler and more glorious purpose. The Trowel is a symbol for spreading the ‘cement of Brotherly Love and Affection’.
It represents the social virtues and the importance of uniting all members of the fraternity into a single, cohesive, and supportive family. It teaches Masons to smooth over conflict, to build bonds of friendship, and to work together in harmony. This tool reminds them that the strength of the fraternity lies in the unity and affection that its members have for one another. This spirit of unity is what defines Masons as a fraternal organization.
How Are These Symbols Used in Masonic Rituals?
Masonic symbols are not just static images to be studied; they are actively integrated into the rituals and degree ceremonies of the Craft. Each degree is a dramatic and allegorical play in which the candidate is the central character. During these ceremonies, the symbols are presented to him, and their initial meanings are explained.
This process is immersive and impactful. Instead of just reading about the importance of the Square, a candidate is shown how it is used and what it represents in a tangible way. This creates a lasting impression and connects the moral lesson to a physical object. Beyond static symbols, the rituals also employ specific gestures, movements, and other visual cues, which are among the traditional signs of a Freemason.
The beauty of the Masonic system is that the understanding of these symbols deepens over time. A symbol introduced in the First Degree may be revisited in the Third Degree, where new layers of its meaning are unveiled. This progressive revelation encourages a lifelong commitment to learning and contemplation. Another fascinating emblem is the Point Within a Circle, and you can find more Masonic symbols explained here.
Are Masonic Symbols Secret?
This is one of the most persistent questions from the general public. The answer is both simple and nuanced: no, the symbols themselves are not secret. The Square and Compasses, the All-Seeing Eye, and the Masonic apron are all visible in the public domain. They are displayed on Lodge buildings, worn on rings, and can be found in countless books and websites.
What is considered ‘secret’ or, more accurately, ‘private’ to the fraternity is the specific context and allegorical interpretation of these symbols as they are taught within the Lodge. The true secret of Masonry is the shared experience of going through the degree rituals and learning the meaning of these symbols in a specific, personal way. It is the bond that forms between members who have shared this unique journey of enlightenment.
The purpose of this privacy is not to hide something nefarious from the world, but to preserve the integrity and impact of the learning experience for new candidates. Revealing the full meaning of a symbol before a candidate is ready would be like explaining the ending of a movie before it begins; it would spoil the journey of discovery that is so essential to the Masonic method.
Ultimately, the symbols of Freemasonry are a beautiful and profound language. They are a set of tools designed not for building cathedrals of stone, but for building temples of character within the heart of every man who joins the Craft. They are an invitation to a life of contemplation, integrity, and brotherhood.
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
Are Masonic symbols considered secret or evil?
Masonic symbols are not secret in the sense that their images are hidden; in fact, many are widely visible in public. Instead, their specific interpretations are considered private and are progressively revealed to members as they advance through the Masonic degrees. The symbolism is intended to be a personal journey of moral and philosophical education for its members, not a clandestine code.
The association of Masonic symbols with evil is a common misconception, often fueled by historical anti-Masonic sentiment and modern conspiracy theories. For Freemasons, these symbols represent virtuous principles, such as the Square and Compasses symbolizing morality and self-restraint. The imagery is used to teach fundamental lessons about integrity, charity, and the pursuit of truth.
Can I use Masonic symbol images in my own designs or artwork?
Legally, most foundational Masonic symbols like the Square and Compasses or the All-Seeing Eye are ancient and exist within the public domain, meaning you are generally free to use their likeness. However, specific emblems or logos belonging to a particular Grand Lodge or subordinate body may be trademarked and protected. It is always wise to check for trademarks if you are using a very specific or modern-looking version of a symbol for commercial purposes.
Beyond the legal aspect, it is crucial to consider the context and show respect for the symbols’ meanings. Using them in a way that is derogatory, mocking, or purely for commercial gain without understanding their significance can be offensive to members of the fraternity. Thoughtful and respectful incorporation is key, especially if your work is intended for a public audience that includes Freemasons.
Why do some Masonic symbols appear in non-Masonic contexts like on the U.S.
dollar bill? The most famous example, the Eye of Providence on the U.S. dollar bill, is not an exclusively Masonic symbol. While Freemasonry adopted it to represent the omniscience of the Grand Architect of the Universe, the symbol’s use as an icon for divine guidance predates its use by the fraternity. Its inclusion on the Great Seal of the United States was chosen independently by the designers for its traditional meaning of divine oversight of the new nation.
Many other symbols used by Freemasonry, such as the anchor, the beehive, or the hourglass, also have roots in older traditions, including classical, biblical, and Renaissance-era symbolism. Freemasonry integrated these pre-existing symbols into its allegorical system because their established meanings aligned with the moral lessons it sought to teach. This shared symbolic heritage is why these images appear across various cultural, religious, and historical contexts.
