Everything you want to know about Freemasonry and more...

1. Masonic Symbols
Written by RW Bro. George Barclay
Monday, 03 December 2007
In the lecture on the First Tracing Board we are informed that the usages and customs of Freemasonry bear a near
affinity to those practised by the Ancient Egyptians, and indeed there are many remarkable coincidences between them,
which I shall mention further on.
Egypt appears to have been the salient point from which the religions of the ancient world commenced; and was also, if
not the birthplace, the early protector of the sciences, and cherished every species of knowledge known and cultivated
in remote times.
From thence the Hebrews drew many of their customs, of which the Volume of sacred Law, afforded ample evidence
in the denunciation of Moses and other prophets.
The Phoenicians, who were a hardy and adventurous seafaring race, no doubt were early attracted by the Egyptian
religious customs, and carried them into every land to which their frail barques voyaged.
Through them, the Druids of old, gathered many rites and observances, and more than one eminent writer has affirmed
that many of our customs are Druidical in origin.
Pythagoras, the inventor of geometry, and of that celebrated Masonic emblem the - 47th problem - which is briefly
"that in rectangular triangles the square of the side that is opposite the right angle is equal to the two squares of the side
which contains the right angle," lived for 22 years in Egypt, studying the various Egyptian doctrines and sciences, and
at the end of that term returned to Greece, and founded those celebrated schools of Philosophy which are evidently
archetypes of masonry.
His method of instruction, formed upon the Egyptian model, were "exoteric" and "esoteric" that is, "public" and
"private." Only a few of his select disciples, called companions, were admitted to the mysteries of his esoteric doctrines
- in this resembling our craft and Arch Masonry.
The Egyptian priests were well acquainted with the signs of the Zodiac, and their most ancient monuments are covered
with figures, among which the crab, the goat, the bull, and lion are frequently to be found.
It becomes a convenient custom with the rulers to expose in public a small figure or single letter notifying the exact
time when certain general work had to be performed or dangers threatened.
The great annual event with which the wellbeing of the Egyptians was bound up - it being the first cause of the fertility
of their land - was the inundation of the Nile. This was always preceded by a strong wind blowing from N. to S., about
the time of the Sun passed through Cancer (the crab). Shortly after, the Sun having reached Leo (the Lion), they
observed in the morning one of the largest and most brilliant stars of the whole heavens ascending in the horizon. It
appeared a little before the rising of the sun, which had rendered it almost invisible earlier in the year. As it was only a
short time seen and then disappeared below the horizon, it seemed to the Egyptians to show itself as a warning; they
therefore called this star Thaut, the dog and also Anubis or Monitor, and the prudent observers on seeing it retired to
the higher grounds to await the annual flow.
This Anubis or Dog Star is the B.S. or M., and we are taught the same moral from the emblem, viz., that it represents
that prudence which should appear conspicuous in the conduct of every Mason and be the guiding star of our lives.

2. The All-Seeing Eye, which to us represents the true God, was among the Egyptian an emblem of the Sun.
These, as well as many other symbols, were made use of by their priests and rulers to inculcate the rule of morals, as
well as the regulation of agriculture and to perpetuate among the people the knowledge of important truths and
religious dogma.
We describe our Lodge as extending in length from East to West; in breadth between North and South, as high as the
heavens and in depth from the earth's surface to its centre, by which it is evident that it is supposed to represent the
world, on which plan all ancient Pagan temples were formed. In the centre of the roof of the celebrated Freemason's
Hall in London a splendid Sun is represented, surrounded with the 12 signs of the Zodiac. These were in early every
ancient temple.
All Pagan religious edifices were constructed to face due East, to receive the first rays of the sun, which was the
universal object of worship. This was the custom among the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Persians, and Indians, and in
imitation thereof the tabernacle in the wilderness, K.S.T., the 2nd T., and St. Paul's Cathedral, together with many
religious buildings of the present day, have been erected.
During part of the initiation ceremony we place the candidate in the N.E., informing him that it is customary to lay the
first, or foundation-stone, in that part of the building. The origin of this is accounted for thus: Egyptian astronomers
taught that the creation of the world took place at the precise period of time when the Sun rose in Leo, and admitting
that they came to this conclusion when that constellation was in the N.E. at the rising of the Sun, it would be quite in
accord with their system of worship to instruct that all their large buildings would be commenced in this manner.
Our Lodges are said to be upheld by three great Pillars W., S., and B., represented respectively by the Worshipful
Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. This triad is to be found in nearly every system of religion. For instance, in Britain
the Druidical Lodge was practically supported by 3 stones or pillars, and Hindu Mythology contains the same 3 pillars,
each crowned with a head. Wisdom placed in the East, where the chief Brahmin sat on a brilliant throne, symbolising
Brahma the Creator of the World; Strength in the West, where the representative of Vishnu sat at the setting Sun; and
Beauty in the South, with the personification of Siva as the meridian Sun.
The floors of ancient temples were of Mosaic or Mosaic work - probably so called after the name of the months during
which the Egyptians tilled the plains after the subsidence of the Nile.
These were termed Moses or Museus, meaning - "saved from the waters." It being remembered that their religious
edifices were all typical of the world, it is not unreasonable to surmise that they represented by this flooring the
variegated and beautiful face of the earth during the nine months of Museus, when agriculture was in full swing.
In all regular and properly constituted Lodges there is a point within a circle, bounded North and South by two parallel
straight lines, called respectively M and K.S., or in some rituals S.J.E. and S.J.B., who were perfect parallels in
Christianity as well as Masonry. The circle was always an emblem of the Sun, and as an astronomical figure may also
refer to is circuit; the point in the centre to the Supreme Being, and the parallel lines, the solstices, within which the
circuit is limited - thus the Mason, by keeping himself in due bounds in imitation of that glorious luminary, will not
wander from the path of duty.
It is a curious coincident that church rituals at the present day fix the birthdays of these two St. Johns, at the period of
the solstices.
The few examples I have mentioned give us, I think good reason to conclude that Freemasonry has derived most of its
symbols form the most ancient of all religions, i.e. the Egyptian, and still uses them for the same purpose, that being, to
impress on our minds the duties we owe to God as our Creator, and to man as our fellow creature.
In conclusion, I would just refer to the number 3, which was highly esteemed among the ancient, and enters largely into
our symbolisms - the 3 knocks - 3 greater lights - 3 working tools in each degree - 3 moveable and 3 immovable jewels
- 3 Great Pillars, and 3 rungs of Jacob's ladder, those being, Faith, Hope, and Charity - defined by an eminent writer
thus:- Faith, as the genius of Spring; Hope of Summer and Charity of Autumn; Faith of Spring because faith and works
must always go together; Hope of Summer because then the Sun looks vertically down upon the seeds which have been

3. committed to faith to the fertilising earth; and Charity of Autumn because then man realises from the earth the result of
his faith and works.
The 3 virtues of the E.A. - and attentive Ear, a silent Tongue, and a faithful Heart.
An attentive Ear is to be given to the instructions of superiors in knowledge, and to the calls of a worthy, distressed
Brother. Our ceremonies aim at inculcating lessons of wisdom, which an attentive ear will remember - although there
are, alas, many who enter the porch of Masonry and who, for want of this virtue, fall asleep in the arms of indolence,
and do not penetrate beyond the surface, thus missing the golden treasures which await him who seeks.
A silent tongue is an essential virtue for Masons, so that the veil of mystery may not be incautiously drawn aside. It
also reminds us to "speak no evil of any man." "It is more honourable to vindicate than accuse." Whom we cannot
approve, should pity in silence."
A faithful heart is necessary to fulfil our obligations, and is the safe repository in which we lock up our secrets and
exemplify our honour and fidelity.
And lastly, Brethren.
The 3 great Tenets or Principles of our Order - brotherly love, relief and truth - is the strongest cement of our Order,
and without it the Fraternity would soon cease to exist. By it we are taught to regard the whole human species as one
family to aid, support, and protect each other.
Relief flows from brotherly love. and it is a duty incumbent on all men, and more especially Freemasons, to soothe the
unhappy, relieve the distressed, and restore peace to their troubled minds.
Truth is a Divine attribute and the mother of Virtue. The first lesson Masonry teaches us is to be fervent and zealous in
the pursuit of truth and to dispense it freely; or, in other words -
When the fleet vanities of life's brief day,
Oblivion's hurrying 'wing shall sweep away;
Each act by Charity and mercy done,
High o'er the wreck of time shall live alone.
Presented at Regular Meeting 4th July, 1913 by R.W. Bro. Geo. Barclay, P.S.G.W. (P.G.D. Eng.); Published by
UNITED MASTERS LODGE, No. 167 Auckland, New Zealand. Submitted by D. Roy Murray King Solomon Lodge,
No. 58 GRS Victoria Lodge, No. 13, GRA.