EXPLANATION OF SOME SYMBOLS IN FREEMASONRY

    When we were initiated, we were enjoined to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.  For most of us, this recommendation is not really
fulfilled in its literal sense.  We all accept it means that we should
endeavor to make ourselves acquainted with, and receptive to, all things
Masonic when they are presented to us, in whatever form they may be
presented.  In practice our Masonic education is largely based on what we
see and hear in Lodge at regular lodge meetings which we attend.  This is
probably the best way for newly made Masons to acquire basic Masonic
knowledge.  This means of acquiring Masonic knowledge is somewhat limited in scope if the mason only attends his own lodge, and the knowledge thus gained is usually restricted to the ritual of the three degrees as practiced in
that lodge, and the way the business of the lodge is conducted.  The scope
of knowledge to be gained from attending lodge is greatly expanded when a
Mason regularly visits lodges other than his mother lodge, and especially if
the lodges visited are form a Constitution other than his own.  This is one
reason why the practice of "Visiting" is important.  When visiting lodges
using rituals different from that used in his mother lodge, the visitor is
enabled to appreciate the differences in working, the wording used in the
lodge in which he is a visitor, and this will often help to unlock the
allegorical significance in the wording used in the lodge in which he is a
visitor, and this will often help to unlock the allegorical significance in
the wording of his own ritual.  The meaning of some of what we do in our own ritual is sometimes brought into a sharper focus when we hear the same concept expressed in a slightly different way.

     The following comments are made in the context that the writer was not made a Mason in a Canadian lodge, but in a Lodge working under the Grand Lodge of England in Barbados.  However, the content is valid for all Masons of whatever Constitution.  When visiting other lodges, both in Barbados and abroad, you will observe that the basic settings for the moveable furniture within the lodge room, as well as the layout of the fixed fittings of the lodge room itself, may differ from those of your own lodge.  Quite often the constraints imposed by the physical configuration of the lodge room can have a material effect on the ritual used by the lodge which meets in that room. Any such "variant" from the standard set out in the ritual then becomes a landmark or tradition of the lodge.  The placement of the Master's Pedestal is a case in point.  In lodges in England, the VSL is placed on the Master's Pedestal.  This Pedestal is placed immediately in front of the W.M.  In the lodge room at Spry Street in Barbados, and to a lesser degree, in the lodge room at Belleville, St. Michaels, also in Barbados, such a placement is not easily accomplished due to the configuration of the dais.  Our predecessors in the English lodges holding meetings in these Temples, have compromised by placing the Pedestal at a convenient place on the floor of the lodge, and adapted those parts of the ritual which relate to the position of the pedestal to accommodate its altered position.  This amended position became enshrined in the traditions of each of the lodges involved, and woe betide anyone who moves it even a few inches from where some members feel it should be.  Common sense and logical thinking should always prevail, and thinking members of English lodges will bear in mind that candidates are required to advance to the East in the second and third degrees, and to the Pedestal in the first degree, and so the pedestal really should be as near to the East as is practicable, having regard to the constraints presented by the configuration of the lodge room.

    It is interesting to note that in our English rituals, the Pedestal on
which the VSL is placed is not referred to as an Altar. It is referred to as
the Pedestal.  The Initiate is required to "advance to the Pedestal in due
form".  In other Constitutions the VSL is placed on a  pedestal placed in
the centre of the lodge room, and is referred to as the Altar.  This is
certainly true in Canada in lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.  This is interesting, as originally freemasonry in Canada was mostly warranted by the Grand Lodge of England, and the workings in Canada in this jurisdiction remain basically as per the English ritual.

    The nature of this talk is to refer to Masonic matters at the basic, or
grass roots, level, and is intended to stimulate enquiring thought among
some of our younger masons, and maybe among some of our more mature brethren as well.  Let us consider some of the things we see whenever we enter the Lodge, and try to understand why some of the things we see in lodge are there, even though in the normal course of our ceremonies they are not all used, or referred to in the ritual.  Probably the best way to approach this subject is by referring to the explanation of the 1st Degree TB.  This explanation is not given in the 1st Degree ceremony in English lodges as part of the degree, and most English Freemasons hear it in open lodge only very infrequently, when it is given as an exercise in the delivery of ritual at a meeting at which no actual degree work is being performed.  In lodges under the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, this explanation is given at every Initiation as part of the ceremony by the JW, and it is referred to as the "JW's Lecture".  It is a formidable test of ritualistic still, but it means that every WM of a Canadian lodge who has served the office of JW in his progress to the Chair of K.S., will have given that lecture if his lodge had done any Initiations during the year in which he was JW.  It is probable that the manner in which the JW does this lecture is
considered to be one of the qualifications as to the JW being a suitable
candidate for the Master's chair.  This particular bit of Masonic
information may be considered a digression from the main theme of this
lecture but is offered as an item of Masonic knowledge which is of interest.
     The explanation of the 1st Degree TB gives explanation of much  of
which is basic in Freemasonry and it describes in detail the form and
furnishings of a lodge.  Some lodge rooms adhere more closely to the
description of the form of a lodge as given in the TB than do others.  For
instance, in the TB it is stated:- "He crowns His Temple with Stars as the
Diadem . . ." & . . "The sun and moon are messengers of His will"..  The TB
goes on, :- ... an Ethereal Mansion, veiled form mortal eyes by the starry
firmament, emblematically depicted by seven stars, which have an illusion to
as many regular made Masons . . "  In the Temple in Spry Street in Barbados,
on the beautiful domed ceiling are shown the seven stars and the heavenly
bodies.  The lodge room in Belville, Barbados, and indeed, many lodge rooms
which I have visited in the Islands of the Caribbean and elsewhere, do not
have this feature.  The Grand Lodge in London, England, has.  Observant
brethren when visiting lodge rooms, will have noticed a large tassel hanging from the ceiling in each of the four corners of the lodge.  Neither of our lodge rooms in Barbados has this feature, although I seem to recall seeing
this feature in one or more of the lodge rooms in some of the Islands in the
District of Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean.  According to the 1st Degree
TB, all lodges should have these tassels, and I quote:- "Pendant to the
corners of the Lodge are four tassels, meant to remind us of the four
cardinal virtues, namely; Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice, the
whole of which, tradition informs us, were constantly practiced by a great
majority of our ancient Brethren " . (unquote)  It is of passing interest to
note that the compiler of the ritual was just as aware of the frailty of
human nature in those days as we are today; in as much as he did not say
"pratised by our ancient Brethren", but, practiced by a "great Majority" of
our ancient Brn."  Thus we must assume that it was accepted that due to
human fraily there was a minority of our ancient Brethren who did not
practice the whole of the four cardinal virtues.  Perhaps 'ALL' our ancient
Brn. could manage three out of four, but Temperance may have given some of them some problems!  However you will note that the floor carpet with the indented or tessellated, border, does have the four tassels at each corner, and the lodge room at Belleville, Barbados, has the four cardinal virtues painted on the walls at ceiling height in lieu of the hanging tassels
referred to in the TB.  Some brethren present may have assumed that the
tassels on the corners of the carpet were merely for decorative purposes,
but now they know the real reason they are on the carpet.  The English
Ritual refers to the "Indented or Tessellated Border", but according to the
meaning of the words as given in the Concise Oxford Dictionary, this
description constitutes a contradiction in terms.  The dictionary says that
to "Indent" is "to make tooth like notches in".  However, "Tessellate" is,
"to make from tesserae (tessellated pavement), regularly chequered."  The
dictionary further explains that "tessera", the plural of which is
"tessrae", is a small square (usually cubical), block, used in mosaic".
Therefore what we really have is a tessellated or mosaic pavement with an
indented border.

    I would next like to draw the attention of the brethren to the tracing
boards which we use in lodges in Barados and also in Canada.  These TB's are not identical.  There are two basic versions of the 2nd Degree TB, and it is interesting to compare them in the light of the explanation which we give to candidates.  We use the same wording in the explanation, whichever picture we use to illustrate what we are saying.  It must be born in mind that much of what we do and say is allegorical, and cannot be accepted as factual. What IS important is that we know and appreciate the meaning of the allegory.

    One of the versions  of the 2nd Degree TB comprises a juxtaposition of
two separate pictures, one above the other.  The other is a composite
picture combining the feature of the two separate pictures into one picture.
The one showing two pictures agrees with the explanation given in the ritual as it is related.  The other one poses some inconsistencies with what we halved been told about Solomon's temple.  In our explanation of the TB, we tell the candidate that these pillars were placed "at the entrance of the
Temple as the most proper and conspicuous situation for the children of
Israel to have the happy deliverance ... etc."  These pillars would have
been placed at the main entrance as show in the two-pictured TB, and not at the side entrance at the South side of the Temple, through which we are told the F.C.'s went to receive their wages.  The composite TB shows the JW standing between the Great Pillars, which, as has just been stated, would not have been situated at the South entrance of the Temple.  I am just mentioning these points to illustrate that we sometimes vary known facts in allegorical depicting our symbolism.  It is a good example of how we can illustrate symbolism with illustrations which may be at variance with known facts without affecting the validity of the symbolism itself.  It is
interesting to note that the colour plate of the 2nd Degree TB in the latest
edition of the Emulation ritual, shows a third figure just entering the
porch.  Previous versions only showed two figures, that of the JW at the
foot of the stairs, and the SW at the top of the stairs.  It must be assumed
that this third figure represents a FC approaching the JW on his way to
receive his wages.  It is also interesting to note that another English
Ritual, the Logic Ritual, in the 1972 edition shows the Composite Version of
the 2nd Degree TB.  But from the 1976 edition the Two-picture Version is
used.

     We now come to the 3rd Degree TB, of which there are at least three
versions is use in English lodges in lodges in the District G.L. of Barbados
& the Eastern Caribbean.  The Emulation working is the least enlightening as far as explaining the symbolism of the TB is concerned.  as a matter of fact the Emulation Ritual does not have a section which says "Explanation of the 3rd Degree TB" as it does for the 2nd Degree TB, and indeed as it says for the 1st Degree TB, although qualifying this last by saying it is not part of Emulation working.  The Emulation ritual confines itself to a narration of the Hiramic legend, and limits itself, as far as symbolism goes, to pointing out the Sprig of Acacia, the W.T.'s., the Porch, Dormer and Square Pavement, and the Emblems of Mortality.  Other workings are far more helpful in explaining to the candidate the symbols on the TB, and some of these explanations will be referred to later.

     First, let us compare the TBs themselves.  There are two variations of
the same basic theme.  The theme shows a coffin with a sprig or branch of
acacia at the head, outside the line of the coffin, with almost all the
other symbols within the outline of the coffin.  The only symbol not inside
the coffin are three Masonic symbols painted on the outside of the foot of
the coffin.  These do, however  appear on the coffin itself, and not totally
outside it as is the Sprig of Acacia.

    Let us look at these symbols as they appear on one of the versions of
the TB.  Reading from Top to Bottom.  They are:- the WTs of a MM., Masonic ciphers and figures on a plaque, Sk & Cbs (Emblems of Mortality), two more Masonic ciphers, two figure 5's, the Porch, Sq. Pavement, Dormer, a view of the inside of the Sanctum Sanctorum, the implements with which our GB HAB was slain, another figure 5 and a Sq.   And on the outside of the coffin at the foot are three Masonic ciphers.

    Another version which is a variation of this basic theme depicts a
circle with its centre shown just under the WT's, and confined between the
open points of the compasses, two of the Masonic ciphers which were ON the plaque in the first version, are now shown ABOVE the plaque at the base of the 3rd Degree WYs.  The figures 5 are replaced by the 5th letter in the Hebrew alphabet, 'Heh', signifying the figure 5. The picture of the Porch, Dormer and Sq. Pavement, is shown on a scroll of parchment with Hebrew writings, and this scroll is shown athwart the coffin, with its ends falling outside the sides of the coffin.  The implements with which HAB was slain, are outside the coffin and rest against the coffin.  The Sq. does not appear on this version of the TB.  The Logic Ritual, which previously to 1876, used the basic TB referred to first, has since 1976, adopted a much more elaborate TB, in which, in addition to the symbols just enumerated, are three additional characters which have been added to the ones on the outside of the foot of the coffin.  This "new" TB adopted by Logic working is of interest to the writer as he assumed that it was a completely new design in order to incorporate some Masonic symbolisms which were not present in the old design.  the writer was therefore quite surprised to see a large color photograph of basically the same TB in a showcase in the Central Masonic Centre lobby in Hamilton, Ontario.  This TB was presented to St. John Lodge No. 231 Hamilton West, on March 25, 1855 by Br. Edw. Brackstone Baker!  What Logic has done therefore, was to revert to an "ancient" design which was in use in Canada 80 years before they adopted it as their "new" 3 Degree TB.

    I shall now endeavor to explain the symbolic meaning of the several
characters and ciphers to which I have referred. Firstly, the WTs of the 3rd Degree are fully explained in the course of the ceremony of Raising, but the Circle, and the Point within the Circle, as shown on one version of the TB, is not mentioned in the Ceremony itself, although it is referred to in the Opening of the Lodge in the 3rd Degree, but no explanation is given as to why this is a point form which a MM cannot err.  It should be noted that the symbolism of the circle and the point within the circle, is not peculiar to the 3rd Degree, but it is in fact an important part of the explanation of the 1st Degree TB in the English ritual.  So it is to the explanation the 1st Degree TB that we must refer to understand the symbolism.

    In the 6th Section of the 1st Lecture on the 1st Degree, the Point within the Circle is referred to as "a Principal Point".  The catechism is as  follows:-
Q.  A Principal Point?
A.  A Point within a Circle.
Q. Define that Point.
A.  In all regular, well-formed, constituted lodges, there is a
      Point within a Circle round which the Brn. cannot err.  This
      Circle is bounded between N & S by two Grand Parallel
       Lines, one representing Moses, and the other King
       Solomon.  On the upper part of this Circle, rests the VSL
       supporting Jacob's Ladder, the top of which reaches to
       the Heavens; and were we as conversant in that Holy
       Book, and as adherent to the doctrines therein contained,
       as those Parallels were, it would bring us to Him who
       would not deceive us, neither will He suffer deception.  In
       going round this Circle, we must necessarily touch on
       both those Parallel Lines, likewise on the Sacred Volume,
       and whilst a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, he
       cannot err.
        Therefore, in the 3rd Degree, the Circle with the Point at the
centre, has thus been borrowed from the 1st Degree TB, but in the 3rd

Degree

TB it is not enclosed by the Grand Parallel Lines, but is place within the
limiting arms of the compasses, to remind us, not ony to limit our desires
in every station of life, but also to comport ourselves correctly, as
represented by the symbolism of the Circle and Point within it.  The two
ciphers which appear on the plaque in the basic version, and above the
plaque in the variation, signify T.C., the P.W. leading from the 2nd to the
3rd Degree.  The ciphers on the plaque represent HAB, and immediately under these ciphers, reading from right to left in the Hebrew manner, represent Anno Lucis 3000, the year of his death.  The Masonic ciphers or characters under the Emblems of Mortality, represent the substituted word of a MM, shown singly on one version, and twice in the other; both words having a similar import, and both depicted by the same symbols.  The figure 5, or the Hebrew (Heh), or 5th letter in the Hebrew alphabet, represents the 5 points of fellowship, the 5 human senses, and 5 orders of architecture.  The three 5's also represent the three FC lodges of 5 members each who were sent in search of our GM HAB.  Three 5's total fifteen, which is the numerical value of the Hebrew characters for the name of the Deity, and as these are shown within the coffin, and thus symbolically in close proximity to anyone in the coffin, their presence there may be said to indicate, as is said in Lodge Pelican in the Modern Scottish Ritual, ".. that even in the shadow of death we may feel sustained by the Divine Presence.".

    The symbolism of the Mosaic Pavement, the Porch, the Dormer, are very
important ones.  The Mosaic or Tessellated Pavement is symbolic of life, and
of our chequered progresses through this, our mortal existence.
Symbolically, when, in the course of our travel through life, we have
reached the end of the Mosaic Pavement, we have reached the end of our
mortal life, and find ourselves at the entrance to the Holy of Holies, which
is the Gateway of Death, giving entrance to the Court of Life, representing
the transition from the mortal to the immortal life.  The Candidate is shown
the Dormer on the TB, and he is told that it is the window which gives light
to the Sanctum Sanctorum.  The Symbolism of this is, that, as we pass into
the Sanctum Sanctorum we are bathed in the Light of Divine Truth emanating from the Dormer, and stand in the Court of Life, with the full Light of Revelation upon us.

    The three ciphers on the exterior of the foot of the coffin, represent
Chalk, Charcoal and Clay.  Although these elements are not specifically
referred to in the 3rd Degree ceremony, they do appear together with
Freedom, Fervency, and Zeal in Pritchard's "Masonry Dissected", and were
repeated with variations in several of the later French exposures.  They
eventually found their way into the English "Lectures" of the 18th Century.
Their symbolisms explained in the Seventh Section of the First Lecture
where the Candidate is asked how an EA should serve his Master, and he
replies, "With Freedom, Fervency, and Zeal", and that these qualities ae
represented by the emblems "Chalk, Charcoal and Clay".  These elements are further moralized upon as follows:- Nothing so free as Chalk, as the
slightest touch will leave its trace; nothing so Fervent as Charcoal, as
when properly lit few metals can resist its force; nothing more zealous than
Clay, our mother Earth, she continually laboring for our good, thence we
came, and thither we must all return".  The symbolism of these three ciphers as used on the coffin is now apparent - Dust (Chalk) to Dust,
Ashes(Charcoal) to Ashes, and Earth (Clay) to Earth.  Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes, Earth to Earth.

    In the vision of the Emulation TB which has the scroll with the Hebrew
writings on it, we are grateful to W. Bro. Harry Carr for enlightening us as
to the meaning of the Hebrew characters, and Masonic ciphers which appear on this TB.  The translation of the Hebrew writings on the scroll is given as follows: - "The Holy Temple at Jerusalem was built at the hands of Solomon, King of Israel, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram of the Tribe of Napthali, the Builder, in the year 3000.

    The Sq, is one of the most important emblems in F. Masonry, and indeed
it is used by Freemasons to designate Freemasonry itself.  We speak of
someone "being on the square".  The square is particularly associated with
the 2nd Degree, it being the implement which we meet first on  being passed to the 2nd Degree, and again when the WTs are explained.  Because of its special place in the 2nd Degree ceremony, some of us may wonder why it is placed in the 3rd Degree TB.  To better understand the symbolism of the square in the 3rd Degree TB, we must observe HOW it is placed, and WHERE it is placed.  It is placed at the foot of the coffin with its angle towards the foot, and its two arms, or sides, toward the head of the coffin, thus embracing the contents of the coffin within its arms  From its placement, we may thus begin to understand the significance of the square as it applies to the 3rd Degree TB.

    The Charge at the end of the Second Section of the 3rd Lecture, contains the explanation of the presence of the Square on the TB, and I quote the Charge:-
        "To him who did the Temple rear,
         AND LIVED AND DIED WITHIN THE SQUARE,
        And now lies buried none knows where,
        But we, who Master Masons are."
    The Sprig, or Branch, of Acacia, is one of the important symbols of
Freemasonry, as it refers to the Immortality of the Soul, which is the
lynch-pin of the ceremony of Raising a Brother to the 3rd Degree in
Freemasonry.  In token of this, we drop a sprig of acacia, or other sprig of
greenery, into the open grave of a brother Mason, whenever Masonic burials are performed.  In ancient times, the Hebrews were not permitted to bury their dead within the walls of their cities, and they stuck a Branch of Acacia at the head of the grave to mark it, and to identify it as such, and
so prevent it being walked on.  The word "Acacia", is from the Greek, and
means "Innocence".  In this respect, it refers to our GM, HAB, who by his
virtuous conduct, integrity in life, and fidelity to the sacred trust reposed
in him, has ever set an example to the whole craft.

    The foregoing represents an explanation of some of the things which are
shown on the TB's of the Degrees, but which are not explained in the course of the ceremonies themselves, but of which the brethren should be aware.

By: W. Bro. Cecil B. Lawless, P.S.G.D. - UGLE;
PDGM Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean, EC.;
PM Albion 196 and Union 7551 EC;
member Conception 8346 EC, Lodge Pelican 1750 SC,
and Brant Lodge No. 663, GLCPO

    AS a Post Script to this paper, the writer would anticipate some
questions from discerning brethren about some of the emblems depicted on
the1st Degree TB, which on the face of it, really should not be there.
These are in addition to the Point within the Circle, which I have shown to
relate to the 3rd Degree, and to which reference has not been made in this
paper.  Specifically, this refers to the working tools of the 2nd degree
which appear t the bases of the pillars.  Of course these tools are not
there because they are the 2nd Degree working tools, but because they are
the moveable jewels of the WM and the Wardens.  It is only when he is passed
that a brother gets to know they are the 2nd Degree WTs.