Masonic Lodge Symbol
The Master of a lodge of Freemasons represents that authority. During one segment of the ritual in a Masonic degree, the candidate is instructed that the Master is always stationed in the east, while the Senior and Junior Wardens are always stationed in the west and south respectively. The Master will discuss the Masonic Lodge Symbol to new members.
The ritual does not explain why that is so and most sideline veterans of Masonic degrees are quick to suggest it is simply because that is the way it has always been. While that explanation is certainly true to a point, it is incomplete and wholly unenlightened.
The ritual does not explain why that is so and most sideline veterans of Masonic degrees are quick to suggest it is simply because that is the way it has always been. While that explanation is certainly true to a point, it is incomplete and wholly unenlightened.
Yet, in a peaceful manner Freemasons have for centuries vowed to resist arbitrary power and rule. That is not a call to war any more that Mahatma Gandhi called his people to war against the colonialists in India. Rather, it is a vow to use the means available to peaceably effect change; to personally remain the absolute master of one’s voice, vote and opinion; and never to allow another to dictate in matters of conscience.
For Masons, the time passed in the Chamber of Reflection symbolizes the trials of life. The first lesson to be learned is that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. People are responsible for making matters better or worse depending upon how they conduct themselves. Thus, the first lesson relates to the importance of accepting responsibility for one’s own actions.
Yet, the virtues symbolized by the level are not intended to be limited to the Masonic lodge room. The Masonic Lodge Symbol can be seen in this area. The concept of equality, or of treating others with equal respect, is to be put into action by every Mason outside of the lodge room. At work, when others jump on the bandwagon to crucify a fellow worker, the Mason among them may be expected to demand common courtesy, compassion and empathy.
For Masons, the time passed in the Chamber of Reflection symbolizes the trials of life. The first lesson to be learned is that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. People are responsible for making matters better or worse depending upon how they conduct themselves. Thus, the first lesson relates to the importance of accepting responsibility for one’s own actions.
Yet, the virtues symbolized by the level are not intended to be limited to the Masonic lodge room. The Masonic Lodge Symbol can be seen in this area. The concept of equality, or of treating others with equal respect, is to be put into action by every Mason outside of the lodge room. At work, when others jump on the bandwagon to crucify a fellow worker, the Mason among them may be expected to demand common courtesy, compassion and empathy.
Freemasonry has often been described as a secret society, owing to the fact that it uses certain symbols to instruct upon a deeper knowledge about mankind's relationship with God. The variety of charities supported by this ancient fraternity comprised of millions of men and women are well known and easily recognizable. Children's hospitals are operated by Shriners throughout the world.
Speech therapy centers, educational grants, eye care foundations and homes for the aged are funded and operated by Scottish Rite Masons, Knights Templar and Grand Lodges everywhere they are situated. There is nothing secret about Freemasonry's love for humanity. Among the very few secrets it does maintain-the ancient knowledge about mankind's relationship to God, concealed with such recognizable Masonic symbols as the Square and Compass-is fully explained in Meditations on Masonic Symbolism.
Speech therapy centers, educational grants, eye care foundations and homes for the aged are funded and operated by Scottish Rite Masons, Knights Templar and Grand Lodges everywhere they are situated. There is nothing secret about Freemasonry's love for humanity. Among the very few secrets it does maintain-the ancient knowledge about mankind's relationship to God, concealed with such recognizable Masonic symbols as the Square and Compass-is fully explained in Meditations on Masonic Symbolism.
As true as the foregoing may be, it does not go far enough in interpreting what Freemasonry intends being freeborn to symbolize. It is equally important to also understand how this relates to Masonry’s attitude toward despotism and mankind’s ceaseless pursuit of freedom.
Within the teachings of the Craft we learn that life is a law of Nature and that he who imposes his own selfish desires upon another man’s natural born spirit of freedom is a criminal against the laws of Nature. Since Abraham visited the mysterious character known as Melchizedek, the King of Salem, the threads of history connected that meeting to the great institution we know today as Freemasonry. A fraternity - not a religion - Freemasonry communicates what Melchizedek taught Abraham about eternity, the continuation of the human soul and how to better the lives of those around us. At the heart of those lessons taught today is a fictional character referred to as Grand Master Hiram Abif.
The master builder of the edifice known as King Solomon's Temple, Grand Master Hiram symbolizes order, beauty, virtue and morality. He holds within his breast the long-guarded secrets of life passed down by such men as Zoroaster, Pythagoras and Hermes Trismegistus. Historians have frequently confused him with the messiah - a confusion disspelled whil In Search of the Grand Master. Revealed in three distinct parts, Grand Master Hiram's lessons about Masonic symbolism are for everyone - not just Masons and their families. Everyone benefits by learning how to build stronger families, arousing community awareness, reforming governments and assisting those in need. Voices from the past speak to us through the legends and mysteries and impart wise and serious truths about how men should embrace tolerance, freedom and love.
To succumb to the infiltrations of the immense “me” of the despot is tantamount to sacrificing freedom on the altar of materialism found on history chanell. If a man does not resist those infiltrations, he is doomed to be absorbed by them making the world less free than it was before.
Within the teachings of the Craft we learn that life is a law of Nature and that he who imposes his own selfish desires upon another man’s natural born spirit of freedom is a criminal against the laws of Nature. Since Abraham visited the mysterious character known as Melchizedek, the King of Salem, the threads of history connected that meeting to the great institution we know today as Freemasonry. A fraternity - not a religion - Freemasonry communicates what Melchizedek taught Abraham about eternity, the continuation of the human soul and how to better the lives of those around us. At the heart of those lessons taught today is a fictional character referred to as Grand Master Hiram Abif.
The master builder of the edifice known as King Solomon's Temple, Grand Master Hiram symbolizes order, beauty, virtue and morality. He holds within his breast the long-guarded secrets of life passed down by such men as Zoroaster, Pythagoras and Hermes Trismegistus. Historians have frequently confused him with the messiah - a confusion disspelled whil In Search of the Grand Master. Revealed in three distinct parts, Grand Master Hiram's lessons about Masonic symbolism are for everyone - not just Masons and their families. Everyone benefits by learning how to build stronger families, arousing community awareness, reforming governments and assisting those in need. Voices from the past speak to us through the legends and mysteries and impart wise and serious truths about how men should embrace tolerance, freedom and love.
To succumb to the infiltrations of the immense “me” of the despot is tantamount to sacrificing freedom on the altar of materialism found on history chanell. If a man does not resist those infiltrations, he is doomed to be absorbed by them making the world less free than it was before.