Masonic Symbols Explained: A Complete Glossary of Meanings
For centuries, the symbols of Freemasonry have captured the public imagination, often viewed through a lens of mystery and conspiracy. These intricate emblems, seen on buildings, rings, and in historical texts, are frequently misunderstood. They are not signs of a secret society bent on world domination, but rather the vocabulary of a unique philosophical system.
Freemasonry, at its heart, is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. It uses the tools and traditions of ancient stonemasons as metaphors for building a better self. Understanding these Masonic symbols is the key to unlocking the rich ethical and philosophical teachings of the Craft, revealing a journey of personal development and enlightenment.
This glossary will demystify the most prominent symbols in Freemasonry. We will explore their origins, their meanings, and the profound lessons they are intended to teach. This is a journey into a visual language designed to guide a man toward becoming more virtuous, thoughtful, and connected to his community and his own higher principles.
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. These craftsmen used specific tools to shape rough stones into perfect, usable blocks. Their signs and tokens were practical methods of identifying their skill level and protecting the secrets of their trade.
When Freemasonry transitioned from an operative craft to a speculative one, it kept the tools but changed their application. Instead of shaping physical stone, speculative Masons use the tools symbolically to shape their character and mind. The gavel, for instance, is no longer used to chip away at rock but to metaphorically chip away at the vices and imperfections of one’s own nature.
Symbols serve as a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. They allow complex philosophical ideas to be conveyed in a simple, memorable form. A symbol can contain layers of meaning that unfold over time as a Mason progresses in his understanding, making them powerful instruments for lifelong learning and contemplation.
What Are the Three Great Lights of Freemasonry?
The foundation of Masonic teaching rests upon what are known as the Three Great Lights. These are considered the most important symbols in the Lodge room and are essential for Masonic work to take place. They are the Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses.
These three items are always displayed together on the Lodge’s central altar when the Lodge is officially open. They are called ‘Lights’ because they are the sources of illumination and guidance for a Mason’s path. They provide the moral, spiritual, and ethical framework upon which the entire Masonic structure is built.
What Does the Square and Compasses Represent?
This is arguably the most recognized symbol of Freemasonry in the world. The Square and Compasses are architectural instruments that, in speculative Masonry, become potent guides for moral and ethical conduct.
The Square is a builder’s tool used to ensure that angles are true and stones are perfectly cut. Symbolically, it represents morality, truthfulness, and honesty. To ‘act on the square’ is a Masonic phrase that means to be fair and just in all dealings with mankind. It is a constant reminder to regulate one’s actions by a moral code.
The Compasses are used to draw circles and are a symbol of self-restraint and moderation. They teach a Mason to ‘circumscribe his desires and keep his passions within due bounds’. This means practicing discipline over one’s emotions and impulses, ensuring that one’s actions are guided by reason and virtue rather than chaotic desire.
Often, the letter ‘G’ is seen in the center of the Square and Compasses. This letter has multiple layers of meaning. For many, it represents God, or the Grand Architect of the Universe, reminding the Mason that a higher power is at the center of all life and work. It also stands for Geometry, the mathematical science upon which architecture and masonry are founded, and which symbolizes the order and harmony of the cosmos.
Why is the Volume of the Sacred Law Important?
The Volume of the Sacred Law is the first of the Three Great Lights. It is the spiritual foundation for a Mason’s work. Its presence on the altar signifies that a Mason’s actions should be guided by faith and a higher moral authority.
Importantly, the specific book used can vary. In lodges with predominantly Christian members, it is the Bible. In other lodges, it might be the Torah, the Quran, the Vedas, or another sacred text. This practice underscores Freemasonry’s universality and its respect for individual faith.
The Volume of the Sacred Law is not used to enforce a specific dogma but serves as an unerring guide for life and a source of divine inspiration. It represents a Mason’s personal duty to his God, however he may conceive of that higher power.
What is the Meaning of the All-Seeing Eye?
Often mistakenly associated with sinister conspiracies, the All-Seeing Eye, or Eye of Providence, is a noble Masonic symbol. It is an emblem of divine watchfulness and the omnipresence of the Grand Architect of the Universe. It is a reminder that a Mason’s thoughts, words, and actions are always observed by a higher power.
This symbol is not an instrument of surveillance or control. Instead, it is a source of comfort and a call to accountability. It encourages a Mason to live a life of integrity, knowing that he is never truly alone and that his deeds will ultimately be judged. The eye serves as a powerful moral compass. A deeper understanding of these Masonic mason symbols can dispel many common myths.
The All-Seeing Eye reinforces the idea that true character is defined by how one behaves when no one is watching. It is a symbol of divine truth and the constant presence of a guiding, protective force in the universe.
What Do the Two Pillars Signify?
Prominently featured in Masonic art and lodge rooms are two large pillars, often named Boaz and Jachin. These are representations of the two bronze pillars that stood at the entrance to King Solomon’s Temple, a central setting in Masonic allegory.
Boaz is said to mean ‘in strength’, while Jachin means ‘to establish’. Together, they symbolize stability and the establishment of a firm foundation based on divine truth and strength. They mark the entrance to a sacred space, and passing between them represents a transition from the profane outer world to the sanctified space of the Lodge.
The pillars remind Masons that any great undertaking, whether building a temple or building one’s character, requires both strength and a solid, well-established plan. For a complete look at these foundational elements, many find that having the Masonic symbols explained in detail provides great clarity.
Why is the Pavement of a Lodge Checkered?
The floor in the center of many Masonic Lodges features a black and white checkered pattern known as the Mosaic Pavement. This striking design represents the dualities of human existence on the material plane. It symbolizes the interplay of opposites: light and darkness, good and evil, joy and sorrow.
This pavement serves as a constant reminder of the complex and often challenging path of life. The Mason is taught to walk uprightly and with integrity across this checkered floor, navigating the highs and lows of his journey with balance and fortitude. It teaches a lesson in perspective, showing that life is a mixture of experiences and that one must maintain moral footing throughout.
The intricate meanings behind lodge furnishings are a fascinating area of study. The pavement is just one of many pieces whose purpose is to impart a moral lesson, and further exploration of Masonic symbols explained-6 can reveal even more about the Lodge environment.
What Are Masonic Working Tools?
Freemasonry’s symbolic system is built upon the tools of the operative stonemason. In speculative Masonry, these tools are not used for physical labor but as implements for moral and intellectual development. Each of the three primary degrees of Freemasonry has its own set of working tools, each teaching a unique set of lessons.
The purpose of these tools is to provide tangible metaphors for the abstract virtues a Mason seeks to cultivate. They transform abstract concepts like time management, self-improvement, and equality into concrete symbols that are easy to remember and apply in daily life. The rich allegorical nature of these items is central to the Free Masons symbolic tradition.
What Do the Entered Apprentice Tools Teach?
The Entered Apprentice is the first degree, representing a Mason’s youth or entry into the Craft. The working tools of this degree are the Twenty-Four-Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel.
The Twenty-Four-Inch Gauge is a ruler, which the operative mason used for measuring. Symbolically, it is divided into three parts to represent the twenty-four hours of the day. It teaches a Mason to properly portion his time: a part for his usual vocations, a part for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother, and a part for refreshment and sleep.
The Common Gavel is a type of hammer used to break off the rough corners of stones. For the speculative Mason, it represents the force of conscience and will. It is used to divest the heart and mind of the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting the individual as a living stone for the spiritual building.
What Are the Lessons of the Fellowcraft Tools?
The Fellowcraft degree represents a Mason’s manhood or a period of intellectual pursuit. The working tools are the Plumb, the Square, and the Level.
The Plumb is a weight on a line used to determine a true vertical. It symbolizes rectitude of conduct and teaches a Mason to walk uprightly and with integrity before God and man. The Square, as we’ve seen, is the symbol of morality and virtue, used to square our actions.
The Level is an instrument used to check for a true horizontal plane. It is a powerful symbol of equality. It reminds Masons that all men are created equal and that they meet on the level within the Lodge, regardless of their station in life. These common Freemason symbols are rich with meaning that applies both inside and outside the lodge.
What Do the Master Mason Tools Symbolize?
The Master Mason degree represents maturity, wisdom, and the culmination of the symbolic journey. The working tools of this degree are all the implements of masonry, but especially the Trowel.
The Trowel is the tool used by operative masons to spread the cement that unites the individual stones into a single, solid structure. Symbolically, it is the tool for spreading the ‘cement of Brotherly Love and Affection’. It teaches Masons to build bonds of friendship, goodwill, and understanding that unite the fraternity and all mankind into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers.
Other tools like the skirret, pencil, and compasses are also associated with this degree, representing the need for a moral plan and the ability to record one’s own spiritual progress. The lessons imparted by these tools are profound, and a deeper dive into how these Masonic symbols explained-1 can enrich one’s understanding of the Craft’s highest teachings.
What is the Significance of the Beehive?
The beehive is another important Masonic symbol, often depicted in Masonic art and lectures. It stands as an emblem of industry and cooperation. It teaches Masons that, like bees in a hive, they should work together diligently and harmoniously for the common good.
The symbol encourages productivity and warns against idleness. It suggests that man was created to be a productive member of society, contributing his skills and labor to the benefit of all. The beehive is a lesson in social responsibility and the strength that comes from a well-organized, industrious community.
What Does the Anchor and Ark Symbolize?
The Anchor and Ark are symbols of hope and a well-spent life. The Anchor is a classic emblem of safety and security. In Masonry, it represents a ‘well-grounded hope’, a hope that is firm and steadfast, capable of holding a person steady through the turbulent seas of life.
The Ark, often depicted as a ship, is a symbol of the journey through life. It represents the belief that a life lived in accordance with divine principles and faith will ultimately arrive at a safe harbor, a divine shore of peace and rest. Together, they symbolize a steadfast faith that provides hope and security throughout life’s journey.
Why is the Lambskin Apron So Important?
The lambskin, or white leather apron, is the badge of a Mason and one of the most significant symbols in the fraternity. It is the first gift a Mason receives, and he is taught that it is ‘more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, and more honorable than the Star and Garter’.
Its white color is a symbol of innocence, purity of life, and rectitude of conduct. The lamb has been a symbol of innocence in many cultures for millennia. By wearing the apron, a Mason is constantly reminded to live a life that is pure and unblemished by vice.
It is a symbol of honorable labor, connecting the speculative Mason back to his operative brethren. To wear the apron is to identify oneself with a long tradition of builders and to commit to the noble work of building a better world, starting with oneself. The experience of seeing these symbols in context, perhaps by finding Freemasons lodge near me, can make their meaning even more profound.
Masonic symbolism is a deep and rewarding field of study. It is a language of morality, a guide to self-improvement, and a map for navigating the complexities of life. Far from being sinister, these symbols are positive, life-affirming tools designed to help good men become even better.
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
How do Masonic symbols relate to the actual tools of a stonemason?
Many of Freemasonry’s most prominent symbols are directly derived from the working tools of medieval operative stonemasons. The square, compasses, gavel, and level were essential instruments used to shape rough stones and construct magnificent cathedrals with precision. In speculative Freemasonry, these practical tools are repurposed to teach profound moral and ethical lessons about self-improvement and character development.
This transformation from a physical tool to a moral emblem is a cornerstone of Masonic teaching. For example, the stonemason’s square was used to ensure stones were perfectly angled, while for a Freemason, it symbolizes morality and the importance of acting "on the square" with all of humanity. Likewise, the compasses, used to draw circles, represent the need to circumscribe one’s passions and keep desires within due bounds, illustrating the journey from a rough, unworked state to a more perfected character.
Why are there different interpretations for the same Masonic symbol?
Masonic symbolism is intentionally designed to be multi-layered, providing lessons that deepen as a member advances through the degrees of the fraternity. A symbol’s initial explanation is often straightforward, but further study and personal reflection are meant to reveal more complex philosophical and esoteric meanings. This method of progressive revelation is central to the Masonic educational experience, encouraging a lifelong journey of learning.
Furthermore, Freemasonry encourages individual contemplation, so a symbol’s meaning is not strictly dogmatic. For instance, the letter ‘G’ is commonly said to represent both Geometry and God, but members are encouraged to explore what these grand concepts mean to them personally. This approach fosters intellectual liberty and allows the symbolism to hold personal relevance for men from diverse backgrounds and faiths, rather than enforcing a single, unchangeable doctrine.
Are Masonic symbols considered religious or sacred?
While Freemasonry is a fraternity and not a religion, its symbols are used to explore concepts that many individuals consider sacred. Emblems like the All-Seeing Eye or the Blazing Star point toward a Supreme Being, whom Masons refer to as the Great Architect of the Universe, a non-denominational term allowing men of different faiths to meet in harmony. These symbols are treated with great respect because they represent profound ideas about morality, truth, and one’s duty to that higher power.
However, these symbols are distinct from those of a specific religion as they are not tied to any particular dogma or form of worship. Instead of being objects of worship themselves, Masonic symbols serve as universal reminders of principles like virtue, integrity, and brotherly love. The focus is on providing a framework for moral instruction and personal contemplation, not on prescribing a specific theological path.
