| 47th proposition of Euclid |
Derived its name from the fact that it was
the 47th problem in Euclid's geometry. Sometimes called
problem or theorem, which are also correct. The 47th Proposition,
or problem, is to prove that in a right angled triangle,
the sum of the squares of the two sides is equal to the
square of the hypotenuse. Masonically, it is an emblem
of the arts and sciences and reminds us that next to sinfulness,
the most dangerous enemy of life is ignorance. |
| - A - |
|
| A.E.O.N.M.S.: |
Ancient Egyptian Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (Prince
Hall Shrine). |
| Aaron |
enlightened. He was the brother and assistant of Moses,
and the first high priest under Mosaic dispensation; hence,
he was the founder of the "Aaronic" priesthood. |
| Aaron's Rod |
The staff carried by Aaron, brother of and assistant
to Moses, as a token of his office which miraculously
blossomed as evidence of his Divine choice as High Priest.
It was afterwards preserved in the Ark of the Covenant.
|
| Abhorrence of Evil |
Required of all true Masons. |
| Abif |
his father. An honorary title given to Hiram, the Tyrian
builder. The word is used often in original Hebrew scriptures,
but it does not appear in English versions. |
| Abraham |
father of a multitude. Abraham, earlier known as Abram,
the son of Terah of Ur, and whose name was changed to
Abraham by God, was the founder of the Hebrew race. He
was noted for his faith, for piety, and for his loyalty
to God. |
| Acacia |
The timber of the Shittim tree, widely used in making
the sacred furniture of the Temple. In speculative Masonry,
the term is used as a symbol of the immortality of the
soul. |
| ACCEPTED |
The Latin accipere, receive, was from ad, meaning "to,"
and capere, meaning "take," therefore to take, to receive.
The passive apprenticeship and initiation, but after the
participle of this was acceptus. In Operative Masonry
members were admitted through course of time, and when
the Craft had begun to decay, gentlemen who had no intention
of doing builders' work but were interested in the Craft
for social, or perhaps for antiquarian reasons, were accepted"
into membership; to distinguish these gentlemen Masons
from the Operatives in the membership they were called
the "Accepted." After 1717, when the whole Craft was revolutionized
into a Fraternity, all members became non-Operatives,
hence our use of the word in such phrases as "Free and
Accepted Masons." |
| Accord |
agreement; concurrence. To make to conform or agree;
bring into harmony. Required of all Masons in order to
attain true Brotherhood. |
| Active Member |
An active member is one who maintains his membership
in a Masonic Lodge by the payment of his regular dues
and who takes part in the work and responsibilities of
the Craft. One who fails to do these things may remain
a Mason in heart, but deprives himself of the benefits
of membership. |
| Adam |
earthborn: ruddy. This is the name given to the first
man in Biblical creation, and the name denotes that he
was derived from the ground. |
| Adjournment |
The Worshipful Master is the sole judge with reference
to the adjournment of a Lodge. |
| Admonish |
One of the most exacting duties in the ethics of Freemasonry
is that a Mason shall not publicize the faults of a Brother
Mason, but shall whisper good counsel in his ear. An admonition
must be given with the language of brotherly affection,
the magic tongue of love, and with the persuasive attitude
of "mercy unrestrained." |
| Adonai |
The lord. While this proper name is not found in our
English Bible, it occurs in several passages of the original
Greek and Hebrew texts, and is the special title of the
pre-incarnate Son of God. |
| Adoration |
A fundamental tenet of Freemasonry is that God is supreme,
pre-eminent, and exalted above all creation, and the He
alone is to be worshipped. Throughout all of the Degrees
and in all of the ritual of Masonry God is worshipped
in adorations which are expressed in both silent and oral
prayers. |
| Advance |
Going from one degree to the next after showing proficiency
in the preceding degree. |
| Adverse Ballot |
In case the ballot on a petition for the degrees or
for affiliation is adverse, the Master may, if he so desires,
spread the ballot again to make certain no error occurred.
In so doing, he should state his reason for the second
spreading. The ballot shall not be spread a third time. |
| Adversity |
Freemasonry believes that adversity should be accepted
as a test of character and met with courage and prayer.
Also, a Mason should go to the aid of a Brother Mason
in adversity. |
| AFFILIATE |
Filius is Latin for son, filia for daughter; the prefix
"af" is a form of the Latin ad, meaning to add to. To
be affiliated means therefore to be adopted into a family
as a son or daughter, a meaning that beautifully covers
a Mason's relation to his Lodge once he has affiliated
with it. |
| Affirmation |
Affirmations are a promise but only oaths are admissible
in Freemasonry. |
| Age, Lawful |
This is the age when a man may apply to join a Masonic
Lodge. In many jurisdictions, it is the age of twenty-one
(21); in others, such as the Grand Lodge of Missouri,
it is eighteen (18). |
| Agreeably |
In conformity with. |
| Aid of Deity |
A fundamental principle of Freemasonry as illustrated
in David's intercession for Solomon for the task of building
the Temple. |
| Alarm |
The Latin for weapons, or arms, was arma. Our "art"
and "article" came from the same root, art meaning something
originally made by the use of the arms, hands and fingers.
The English "alarm" goes back directly to the Italian
alle arme, and ultimately to the Latin ad arma so that
"alarm" means "to arms, signifying that something has
happened of possible danger. A knock at the Lodge door
is so named because it calls for alertness, lest the wrong
man be permitted to enter. |
| All Seeing Eye |
A perpetual and permanent symbol in the Lodge and work
of Freemasonry, signifying the omnipresence and omniscience
of God. An emblem reminding us that we are constantly
in God's presence. |
| Allegiance |
A Mason owes allegiance first to the Lodge in which
membership is held; and, second, to the Grand Lodge under
which the Lodge is chartered. Should there be a conflict
between the regulations of the Lodge and the supreme body
(Grand Lodge), then allegiance to the supreme body is
mandatory. |
| Allegorical |
An allegory is a story told through symbols, or an idea
so expressed. |
| Allegory |
Analogy or comparison; a story told to illustrate a
principle. It comes from the Greek meaning "to say something
different." The Greeks called a place of public assembly
agora; from this they built the word agoreuein, meaning
speak, in the sense of ad-dressing a public. When to this
is added alias, meaning another, the compound gives us
our "allegory," which is the speaking about one thing
in the terms of something else. In Masonry we have the
allegory of Solomon's Temple, of a journey, of the legend
of a martyr builder, etc., in each case the acting and
describing of one thing being intended to refer to some
other thing. For example, the building of Solomon's Temple
is described, not for the purpose of telling how that
structure was erected, but to suggest boxy men may work
together in brotherliness at a common task. |
| Almsgiving |
gratuitously relieving the poor. Solemnly charged upon
all Masons on the basis of Divine Commandments. |
| ALPHA and OMEGA |
First and last Greek letters of the alphabet. The beginning
and the end of all things; the first and the last, often
mentioned in the Scriptures and in several of the Masonic
degrees. |
| Altar |
place of sacrifice or worship. Alt, in Latin, referred
to height, preserved in our "altitude;" this root appeared
in altare, literally meaning a "high place." In primitive
religion it was a common practice to make sacrifices,
or conduct worship, on the top of a hill, or high platform,
so that "altar" came to be applied to any stone, post,
platform, or other elevation used for such purposes. In.
the Lodge the altar is the most holy place. The altar
holds the central place in the Lodge room of Freemasons.
Lying on the altar is the Holy bible, the principal Light
of Masons, which is open during the work of the Lodge.
Here, Masons voluntarily kneel and assume the oaths and
obligations of the several Degrees. |
| Amem |
From the Hebrew meaning "verily, truly, certainly."
One person confirms the words of another. Masonically,
answered by "So mote it be." |
| Anchor |
In those Degrees of Masonry where the ceremonies and
instructions relate to life and death, man's journey over
the sea of life is symbolized by Noah's Ark, and the hope
of immortality and a safe landing in the haven of eternal
security is symbolized by the anchor. |
| Ancient |
Old, time honored. |
| Anger |
vexation; ire; rage. The tenets of Freemasonry teach
its members to avoid and to subdue every element of ire
and wrath, or enraged emotions and malicious emotions
and sentiments. |
| Anno Benefacio (A.B.) |
Latin for "In the Year of the Blessing." Used by the
Order of High Priesthood for dating their documents. (1930
added to the current date.) |
| Anno Depositionis (A.Dep.) |
Latin for "In the Year of the Deposit. "The Cryptic
Masonic date designation. (Add 1000 to the current date.) |
| Anno Domini (A.D.) |
Latin for "Year of our Lord." |
| Anno Inventionis (A.I.) |
Latin meaning "In the Year of Discovery." The Royal
Arch date designation. (Add 530 to the current date.) |
| Anno Lucis (A.L.) |
Latin meaning "In the Year of Light," the date used
by Ancient Craft Masonry. (Add 4000 to the current date.) |
| Anno Mundi (A.M.) |
Latin meaning "In the Year of the World." The date used
by the Scottish Rite. (Add 3760 to the current year until
September; if after September, add 3761. |
| Anno Ordinnis (A.O.) |
Latin meaning "In the Year of the Order." The date used
by the Knights Templar. Subtract 1118 from the current
date.) |
| Anoint |
To apply oil to, or pour oil on, particularly holy oil
as a sign of elevation to kingship or consecration to
priesthood. Hence, "anointed," one accepted by the Lord,
as "The Lord's anointed." . Comes from the custom of the
Egyptians and Jews. |
| Anxiety |
painful uneasiness. Freemasonry discourages every form
of undue concern about material things, and stresses simple
trust in God and his providences. |
| Apprentice |
In Latin apprehendre meant to lay hold of a thing in
the sense of learning to understand it, the origin of
our "apprehend." This became contracted into apprendre
and was applied to a young man beginning to learn a trade.
The latter term came into circulation among European languages
and, through the Operative Masons, gave us our "apprentice,"
that is, one who is beginning to learn Masonry. An "Entered
Apprentice" is one whose name has been entered in the
books of the Lodge. |
| Apron |
The badge of a Mason. Originally among priesthoods as
a badge of office and a means of ornamentation. The Masonic
apron should be white lambskin, fourteen inches wide and
twelve inches deep. It should be presented to the candidate
at his initiation and not at some subsequent time. No
substitute should be used. From the French word napron
meaning "an apron of cloth." From earliest times in Persia,
Egypt, India, the Jewish Essenes, the white apron was
a badge of honor and candidates were invested with it,
or a sash, or a robe. Its reference is to purity of heart,
to innocence of conduct. In early English, napron was
used of a cloth, a tablecloth, whence our napery, nap-kin;
it apparently was derived from the Latin map pa, the source
of "map." "Apron is a misdivided form of "a napron," and
meant a cloth, more particularly a cloth tied on in front
to protect the clothes. The Operative Masons wore a leather
apron out of necessity; when the craft became speculative
this garment, so long identified with building work was
retained as the badge of Masons; also as a symbol of purity,
a meaning attached to it, probably, in comparatively recent
times, though of this one cannot be certain. |
| Apron, Washington's |
George Washington was presented with an apron at Mount
Vernon by the Marquis Lafayette. Many of the emblems of
Freemasonry had been wrought in the needlework upon white
satin by Madam Lafayette for the making of this apron,
and it was conveyed from Paris to George Washington's
home Lodge by Lafayette himself as a special honor. |
| Arch, Holy Royal |
Job compares Heaven to an arch supported by pillars.
This is, of course, allegorical, even as is the name "Holy
Royal Arch" degree in Masonry. The pillars which support
the arch are emblematical of Wisdom and Strength; the
former denoting the wisdom of the Supreme Architect, and
the latter the stability of the universe. |
| Architect |
One who designs buildings. |
| Architecture |
The art or science of building. The five orders of architecture
recognized in Freemasonry are Doric, Ionic, Corinthian,
Tuscan and Composite. The Doric order represents the West;
the Corinthian Column represents the South. The Gothic,
or pointed style of architecture, was intimately connected
with the Middle Ages, over which Freemasonry maintained
exclusive control. |
| Archives |
A place for the safe keeping of records ; the records
themselves. |
| Ark of the Covenant |
The Ark of the Covenant was a chest originally constructed
according to specific instructions given to Moses by God,
and was the only article placed in the Holy of Holies
in the Temple. Within the Ark were placed the two tables
or tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were
engraved, Aaron's baton which had budded as a token of
his divine appointment to the office of High Priest, and
a pot of manna. |
| Artificers |
a craftsman or skilled workmen. A skilled worker, craftsman.
A person adept at designing and constructing, an inventor.
Tubal-cain was the first notable artificer mentioned in
history. The best available of these master craftsmen
were employed in the building of the Temple. |
| Arts |
Branches of learning, as in the lecture of the F.C.
degree. In E.A. degree: skills. |
| Arts and Sciences |
Freemasonry recognizes the seven principal arts and
sciences as: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry,
Music and Astronomy. |
| Arts, Parts and Points |
These terms are used in the mysteries of Masonry. Arts
represents the knowledge or things made known; Parts,
the degrees into which Masonry is divided; and Points,
the rules and usages of Masonry. |
| Asher |
fortunate; happy. Asher was the eighth some on Jacob
and the founder of the tribe of the same name. In the
tribal blessings promised to him, his tribe was to enjoy
richness and royal dainties. Hence, entrusting the Masonic
initiates with the mysteries of the Order is symbolized
by the tribe of Asher. |
| Ashlar |
A block of stone from which a column, capital, or other
finished product is carved or hewn; A stone as taken from
the quarry; an unpolished stone. The Latin assis was a
board or plank; in the diminutive form, assula, it meant
a small board, like a shingle, or a chip. In this con-nection
it is interesting to note that our "axle" and' "axis"
were derived from it. In early English this became asheler
and was used to denote a stone in the rough as it came
from the quarries. The Operative Masons called such a
stone a "rough ashlar," and when it had been shaped and
finished for its place in the wall they called it a "perfect
ashlar." An Apprentice is a rough ashlar, because unfinished,
whereas a Master Mason is a perfect ashlar, because he
has been shaped for his place in the organization of the
Craft. |
| Ask, Seek, Knock |
The applicant for membership in Freemasonry Asks for
acceptance, Seeks for Light, and Knocks for initiation. |
| Atheism |
denial of the existence of a Supreme Deity. No atheist
can become a Mason. Every candidate must confess faith
in God before crossing the threshold of the Lodge. This
confession is an essential element in all the work of
a Masonic Lodge. |
| Atheist |
One who does not believe in God. The Greek for God was
theos; when the j prefix a was placed before it, we get
the origin j of "atheism," signifying a denial of the
god, or gods. The word should be distinguished from "agnosticism,"
which means neither to affirm nor to deny but to remain
in doubt; and from "infidel," which means that one does
not believe some doctrine. Christians call Mohammedans
"infidels" because they do not believe the Bible; Mohammendans
call Christians "infidels" because they do not believe
the Koran. Inasmuch as Masonry requires of a petitioner
that he believe in God the atheist is automatically excluded
from the Fraternity. |
| Audi, Vide, Tace |
These Latin words form the motto often found on Masonic
medals and documents. They mean: Hear, See, Be Silent. |
| - B - |
|
| Babbler |
senseless talker. Freemasonry recognizes the unprofitableness
of vague and senseless talk, and forbids babbling in and
out of Lodge. |
| Backbiting |
slandering an absent party. Every form of slander, especially
the speaking of evil of an absent Brother, is expressly
forbidden by the principles and laws of Freemasonry. |
| Badge of a Mason |
See Apron (above). |
| Balloting |
Balloting on the acceptance or rejection of a candidate
is secret; small round white and black balls are used
in voting. White balls elect; black balls reject. In casting
the ballot, all members are required to base their ballot
on personal knowledge, information of the committee on
investigation, and reputed character of the candidate.
Under no circumstances are members to allow themselves
to be influenced by personal likes and dislikes of the
candidate or by a spirit of prejudice or revenge. Every
member is required to vote conscientiously for the good
of the Order and in Brotherly consideration of the applicant.
The candidate is rejected if one or more black balls are
cast against him. |
| Banishment |
compulsory exile of one who is unworthy. The practice
of Freemasonry in banishing from its membership unworthy
persons is fully sustained by Biblical authority and practice.
|
| Barefoot |
The removal of one or both shoes has been for many hundreds
of years a token of reverence and a symbol of yielding
one's self to the control and sovereignty of another.
|
| Beauty |
Operative Masonry has as its chief objective beauty
and symmetry in architecture in building of King Solomon's
Temple; speculative Masonry emphasizes the beauty of character
and the virtues of true manhood. |
| Beehive |
Among the ancients, the beehive was a symbol of an obedient
people and an emblem of systematized industry. Hence,
Freemasonry has adopted the beehive as a symbol on industry
-- a virtue stressed in ritual and by lectures. What one
may not be able to accomplish alone may be easily performed
when all work together at one task. |
| Benediction |
A Lodge must never be closed without a solemn invocation
of Divine Blessing. |
| Benevolence |
disposition to do good; charitableness. Strictly speaking,
Freemasonry is not to be classified as a benevolent institution;
but the disposition and practice of benevolence of the
widest and most generous scope are strongly stressed by
the Fraternity. |
| Bible |
sacred Book of Christendom. The Great Light of Freemasonry.
Masons accept this Book and believe in it as the Law of
God, as the Great Light of Freemasonry. It is an open
Book on the altar during all work of the Lodge, and certain
appropriate passages are used for the different Degrees.
|
| Bigotry |
intolerance toward those of different creeds or religious
affiliations. Masonry has always been bitterly opposed
to religious intolerance of every kind. As an institution,
it has bee the harbinger of religious and civil freedom,
liberty of conscience, and separation of church and state. |
| Blazing Star |
Symbol of light; of Divine direction in the journey
through life; symbolizes a true Freemason who, by perfecting
himself in the way of truth (knowledge), becomes like
a blazing star. In English lodges, symbolizes sun which
enlightens the earth, dispensing its blessings to all
mankind and giving light and life to all things. |
| Blue |
Blue is the color of Freemasonry. As the color of the
vault of Heaven, which embraces and covers the entire
earth, it is to a Mason the symbol of universal friendship
and benevolence. Expect for white, blue is the only color
ever used for decoration in a Master Mason's Lodge. The
name "Blue Lodge" designates the Symbolic Lodge in which
the first three degrees are conferred. |
| Blue Lodge |
A term which has grown into use over the years meaning
the three degrees of the lodge, or Symbolic Masonry. In
the early years, Master Masons wore blue lined aprons.
Blue is symbolic of perfection, benevolence, truth, universal
friendship, fidelity. |
| Boaz |
strength. Comes from the Hebrew meaning "in strength."
The name of the left-hand pillar that stood on the porch
of King Solomon's Temple, and adopted into speculative
Masonry because of its symbolic meaning. It was broken
to pieces by the Babylonians and carried to the city of
Babylon. |
| Book of Constitutions |
An emblem of law signifying that our moral and spiritual
character is grounded in law and order and that no man
can live a satisfying life who lives lawlessly. |
| Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tyler's Sword |
An admonishment to the Mason that he should be guarded
in his words and actions; obedience to the law. |
| Book Of The Law |
The sacred book which reveals the will of God. To Christians,
the Bible; to the Brahman, the Vedas, etc. |
| Bourn; Bourne |
A boundary, as between properties; limit |
| Brass |
hard metal formerly made primarily of copper, but later
of certain alloys. This metal was used extensively in
the building of the Temple. |
| Brethren |
The term is used in speaking of Masons, and in this
connection is preferable to "brothers." |
| Broken Column |
Columns or pillars were used among the early Hebrews
to signify nobles or princes; it is from such that we
get the expression "pillar of the church." Masonically,
the broken column refers to the fall of one of the chief
supporters of the Craft; an untimely death. |
| BROTHER |
This word is one of the oldest, as it is one of the
most beautiful, in any language. No-body knows where or
when it originated, but it is certain that it existed
in the Sanskrit, in a form strikingly similar to that
used by us. In Greek it was phrater, in the Latin frater,
whence our "fraternal" and "fraternalism." It has always
meant men from the same parents, or men knit by very close
blood ties. When associated with "initiation, which las
the general meaning of "being born into," one can see
how appropriate is its k use in Freemasonry. All of us
have, through initiation in our "mother" Lodges, been
born into a Masonry and therefore we are "brothers," and
that which holds us together in one great family is the
"Mystic Tie," the Masonic analogue of the blood tie among
kinsmen. |
| Brotherly Love |
Freemasonry recognizes the Divine requirement that godly
men love their neighbors and that this love should be
for all mankind. Emphasis is lain upon the privilege and
duty of special love for members of the Fraternity. There
are certain bonds and obligations in Freemasonry which
are fulfilled only in the spirit of true brotherhood.
|
| Building of the Temple |
Speculative Masonry was evolved from the organization
of the workmen in the construction of Solomon's Temple
and the union of operative masons who labored on that
notable and Holy Building. Much of the ritual is traced
directly back to the building of the Temple. |
| Burial |
From time immemorial, Freemasons have given special
attention to the interment of their dead, and the proper
burial of a Brother Mason is regarded as a sacred and
binding duty. Solemn, beautiful and profoundly meaningful
burial rites and ceremonies are provided for deceased
Brothers where such are requested by the Brother himself
or by members of his family. |
| Busybodies |
meddling persons. The principles and tenets of Freemasonry
forbid every form of whispering, talebearing, gossiping
and slander. |
| - C - |
|
| Cable Tow |
A cable tow is a rope or line for drawing or leading.
A compound word of Masonic coinage combining cable (a
rope) and tow (a rope for pulling). Symbolically, it represents
the covenant by which all Masons are bound; the tie by
which the candidate is bound to his brethren; the length
of a Mason's cable tow is the scope of his ability to
go to the relief of a brother in need. In early years
the distance was three miles; in present time it is usually
considered about forty miles. |
| Cabul |
sterile. As an expression of appreciation for the assistance
given him in the building of the Temple by Hiram, King
of Tyre, Solomon presented to him a district in northern
Galilee containing twenty small towns. The area was barren
and quite poor. Hiram gave to the district the name "Cabal,"
meaning "displeasing." |
| Calendar, Masonic |
Masons date their official documents in a manner peculiar
to themselves. The various dates for the different bodies
are based on important points in history. |
| CANDIDATE |
Among Romans it was the custom for a man seeking office
to wear a shining white robe. Since the name for such
a color was candidus (whence our "candid"), the office
seeker came to be called candidate. In our ceremonies
the custom is reversed: the candidate is clothed after
his election instead of before. |
| Canopy |
A tent-like covering. "Canopy of heaven", the sky. |
| CARDINAL |
Of basic importance. In Masonry we have "cardinal points"
and "cardinal virtues." The Greeks had kradan, meaning,
"swing on," and the Romans had cardo, meaning "hinge."
The roots mean that on which a thing swings, or hinges,
on which a thing depends or hangs, therefore anything
that is of fundamental or pivotal, importance. A member
of the Sacred College of the Roman Church is a Cardinal
because of the importance of his office, which ranks next
in dignity to that of the Pope. The cardinal points of
the compass are those from which are determined all other
points, north, east, south, west; the cardinal virtues
are those which are fundamental to all other virtues. |
| Cardinal Points |
East: Wisdom; West: Strength; South: Beauty; North:
Darkness. |
| Cardinal Virtues |
Cardinal comes from the Latin cardo meaning "chief or
fundamental." These are the pre-eminent or principal virtues
of which all others hinge. As set forth in the Entered
Apprentice Degree, they are Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence
and Justice |
| Carnality |
Freemasonry recognizes the fact that man has certain
fleshly appetites which are natural to humanity, and admits
their satisfaction in a temperate measure through legitimate
channels (marriage). Yet, Freemasonry teaches moderation,
self-control, temperateness, regularity, and lawfulness
in all carnal desires and relations. |
| Catechism |
Instructions of Freemasonry. |
| Cedars |
Members of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, a non-Masonic
organization composed of Freemasons. |
| Cedars of Lebanon |
Among the finest and most perfect cedars ever known
in history of the world were those of Lebanon. Through
his alliance with Hiram, King of Tyre, Solomon secured
cedars from these mountains for use in construction of
the Temple. |
| Celestial Canopy |
Symbolic covering of the lodge; heavenly. |
| Cement |
Brotherly love binds Freemasons of all countries, races
and creeds in one common brotherhood. |
| CEREMONY |
The Latin caerimonia referred to a set of formal acts
having a sacred, or revered, character. A ceremony differs
from a merely formal act in that it has a religious significance;
a formality becomes a ceremony only when it is made sacred.
A "ceremony" may be individual, or may involve only two
per-sons; a rite" (see below under "ritual") is more public,
and necessarily involves many. An "observance" is public,
as when the whole nation "observes" Memorial Day. A "Master
of Ceremonies" is one who directs and regulates forms,
rites and ceremonies. |
| Chalk, Charcoal and Clay |
Freedom, fervency, and zeal. |
| Chambers |
In the erection of King Solomon's Temple, a series of
chambers were built on three sides of the Temple (north,
south and west). This building against the wall of the
Temple were three stories high (30 feet). These small
chambers were used for Temple offices and for storage. |
| Chapiters |
The ornamental tops or capitals of pillars. |
| Charge |
Among the most beautiful and forceful features of the
work of Masonry are the solemn and exacting charges given
to the candidate as he advances from one Degree to another.
|
| Charity |
acts of inward love. The three great cardinal virtues
are Faith, Hope and Love. Charity as an act of genuine,
heart-felt love is so closely related that it is sometimes
employed in the place of Love, and is regarded as one
of the three great cardinal virtues. Charity in its various
implications and forms of action hold a high place in
the life of every Freemason. The Greeks had a word, charisma,
meaning a gift, and a number of words from the same root,
variously suggesting rejoicing, gladness. The Latins had
a similar word, carus, and meaning dear, possibly connected
with am or, signifying love. From these roots came "grace,"
meaning a free, unbought gift, as in the theological phrase,
"the grace of God," and "charity." Strictly speaking,
charity is an act done freely, and spontaneously out of
friendship, not as a civic duty and grudgingly, as is
sometimes the case in public charity. The Masonic use
of the word is much nearer this original sense, for a
Mason extends relief to a needy brother not as a duty
but out of friendship. |
| Charter |
A document setting forth a set of granted rights and
privileges given by the Grand Lodge to the constituent
Lodge at the tinic of Constitution. The Master is its
custodian, and must see to its security at all times.
The charter must be in the Lodge room during all communications
of the Lodge, preferably in the Master's charge, but it
may be on the Secretary's desk, or in the archives of
the Lodge. It should not be framed to hang on the wall.
The request of a visitor to inspect the charter in advance
be granted or refused. Should the charter be lost or destroyed,
the Grand Master or Grand Secretary should be notified
at once. Pending the issuing of a duplicate charter, a
permission, or dispensation to continue work should be
obtained from the Grand Master. In Latin charta was a
paper, a card, a map; in Medieval Latin this became an
official paper, as in the case of "Magna Charta." Our
"chart" and "card" are derived from the same root. A Masonic
charter is the written paper, or instrument, empowering
a group of brethren to act as a Lodge. |
| Chasity |
purity in sexual relations. Freemasonry stands uncompromisingly
for the purity of womanhood and for the protection of
a woman's chastity. Sacred obligations with respect to
certain phases of chastity have been assumed by every
Mason, and he is bound in honor and under severe penalties
to keep untainted these obligations. |
| Chasten |
To correct by discipline. |
| Checkered Floor |
The Mosaic Pavement. |
| Christian Virtues |
Faith, Hope, and Charity. |
| Circle |
A figure which has neither beginning nor end and symbolizes
eternity; the universe. |
| Circumscribed |
To draw a circular line by the compasses; symbolic of
the boundary line of Masonic conduct. Literally encircled
hence limited. |
| Circumambulation |
The movement is in imitation of the apparent course
of the sun, and so is in the form of an ellipse. After
the obligation the Senior Deacon with the candidate should
make all turns square. In Masonic terminology this is
the technical name of that ceremony in which the candidate
walks around the Lodge. The word 4 is derived from the
Latin prefix cireum, meaning "around," and ainbulare,
meaning "walk," whence our ambulate, ambulatory, etc.;
a circumambulation is therefore a walking around. In ancient
religions and mysteries the worshippers walked around
an altar; imitating the movements of the sun; this became
known as circumambulation, and is the origin of our own
ceremony. |
| Citizenship |
Perhaps no institution or organization has contributed
more to good citizenship than Freemasonry. Democratic
principles, good government, freedom of conscience and
civic liberty have always been championed by Masons. Many
of the world's great patriots and statesmen of all nations
have been members of the Fraternity. Loyalty to one's
government, faithfulness in all the duties of citizenship,
and active support of public institutions are demanded
throughout all the rituals of Freemasonry. |
| Clandestine |
Concealed, usually for some secret or illicit purpose.
In Freemasonry, illegal, not authorized. In Anglo Saxon
"helan" meant something hidden, or secret, a meaning preserved
in "conceal;" "hell," the hidden place, is from the same
word. Helan descended' from the Latin celare, hide; and
on this was built the Latin clandestinus, secret, hidden,
furtive. In English clandestine, thus derived, came to
mean a bad secret, one that must be indulged in furtively.
A secret may be innocent; it is merely something done
without the knowledge of others, and nothing is more common;
but a clandestine act is one done in such a way as to
elude observation. Clandestine Masonry is a bad kind of
irregular and unlawful secret society falsely claiming
to be Masonic. In the Constitutions a Clandestine Mason
is defined as, "One claiming to be a Free and Accepted
Mason not having received the degrees in a Lodge recognized
as regular by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York." |
| Clay Ground |
The use of this term in Masonic work is based on the
fact that a special clay found only in the Jordan Valley
was used in casting the two great pillars, called Boaz
and Jachin, which stood before the Great Porch of Solomon's
Temple. This same clay was also used for casting ornaments
and vessels used in the Temple. |
| Cleft |
Opening made by a crack or crevice; a hollow between
two parts. |
| Clods of the Valley |
This term is used in Masonic ritual in its Biblical
meaning and signifies the sweetness of rest for the dead
of the Lord. |
| Clothed, Properly |
With white gloves and apron, and the jewel of his Masonic
rank. Today the gloves are usually dispensed with. |
| Clothing |
It has always been the custom among all peoples for
designated officers, leaders, and people of rank to wear
special regalia or a particular type of clothing which
indicates a person's official position. Based on this
custom and upon Biblical examples, and for reasons of
dignity and beauty, Masons follow this practice. In early
English cloth was used of garment, dress, and shows up
in our clad, cloth, clothe, clothing. Clothing is the
set of garments, or coverings, by which the body is protected
from the weather and concealed from view. In Masonic usage
the meaning is much narrower and more technical; a Mason
is clothed when he wears the apron, white gloves, and
the emblem of his rank. The apron and gloves are also
employed as symbols, though gloves have pretty much fallen
into disuse in American Masonry. |
| Column |
From the Latin culmen meaning "a pillar to support or
adorn a building." In Masonry the symbolic Significance
pertains to the supports of a lodge; Three columns are
employed; the columns of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty.
The Greeks called the top or summit of anything kolophon;
in Latin culmen had a similar meaning; from these origins
come our culmination ;" excelsior, colophon, colonnade,
colonel, and climax appears to he closely related to it.
A "column" is a cylindrical, or slightly tapering, support;
a "pillar" is a rectangular support. Either may stand
free or be incorporated into the building fabric. The
officers of a Lodge are figured as columns because they
are the supports of the official fabric of the Lodge.
The Great Pillars are symbolical representations of the
two pillars, which stood on the Porch of King Solomon's
Temple. |
| Columns, Wardens |
Represent Jachin and Boaz. While the lodge is at work
the columns are erect and horizontal, respectively; while
on refreshment, such positions are reversed. |
| Communication |
A Masonic Lodge meeting is called a "communication"
because it dates back to the earliest meaning of the word
-- the having of things in common, the fellowship of men
engaged in a common purpose, governed by a common principle,
and participation in common interests and activities.
There is some dispute as to the origin of this word but
usually it is held to have come from communis, a Latin
term for general, or universal, whence our common, common
wealth, communion, communism, communal and many similar
words. To communicate is to share something with others
so that all may partake of it; a communication is an act,
transaction, or deliberation shared in by all present.
From this it will be seen how appropriate is our use of
the word to designate those official Lodge meetings in
which all members have a part or a voice. |
| Compass |
A mathematical instrument for dividing and drawing circles;
an instrument indicating the magnetic meridian. |
| Compasses |
The compasses are emblems of virtue, the true and holy
measure of a Mason's life and conduct. One of the Working
Tools. Freemasons have adopted the plural spelling to
distinguish it from the magnetic compass. This is the
plural of compass, from the Latin corn, meaning "together,"
and passus, meaning a pass, step, way, or route. Contrivance,
cunning, encompass, pass, pace derive from the same roots.
A circle was once described as a compass because all the
steps in making it were ''together," that is, of the same
distance from the center; and the word, natural transition,
became applied to the familiar two-legged' instrument
for drawing a circle. Some Masons use the word in the
singular, as in "square and compass," hut the plural form
"square and compasses" would appear to he preferable,
especially since it immediately distinguishes the working
tool from the mariner's compass, with which it might be
otherwise confused by the uninformed. |
| CONSECRATION |
Sacer was the Latin for something set aside as holy.
By prefixing con, meaning "together," consecrare resulted,
the general significance of which was that by adding to
some holy object a formal ceremony the object was declared
to be holy to the public, and must therefore be treated
as such. The ceremony of consecrating a Lodge room is
a way of giving notice to the public that it has been
dedicated, or set aside, for Masonic purposes only. |
| CONSTITUTION |
Statuere meant that a thing was set, or placed, or established;
when con was added (see immediately above) constituere
meant than an official ceremony had set, or fixed, or
placed a thing. From the same source come statue, statute,
institute, restitute, etc. A Lodge is "constituted" when
it is formally and officially set up, and given its own
permanent place in the Fraternity. |
| Contention |
Strife or struggle. |
| Contention Among Brethren |
Whenever and wherever men are grouped together for any
purpose or a brotherhood is formed, differences of opinion
will arise, conflicting interests will present themselves
and the spirit of true brotherhood can be threatened.
Among Freemasons, every effort must be put forth to prevent
such circumstances from producing contention. Masons can
agree to disagree. |
| Corn, Wine and Oil |
Three elements of consecration. In ancient times these
were regarded as the basic commodities for the support
of life and constituted the wealth of the people. Today
in the U.S. we think of corn as maize, but the original
meaning is an edible grain or cereal. The Hebrew word
for corn means "to be increased or to multiply." |
| Cornerstone |
This is usually the stone that lies at the corner of
two wall of building in which certain historic documents
are placed and on which historic inscriptions are engraved.
In Masonic buildings, it is always placed at the northeast
corner, and this position is preferred in buildings for
which Masons perform the cornerstone-laying ceremony.
Beautiful and meaningful symbolisms are associated with
the laying of cornerstones as a dedication to the one
living Great Architect of the Universe. |
| Cornice |
The ornamented slab placed above the capital of a pillar,
and extending beyond it. |
| Cornucopia |
The horn of plenty; a symbol of abundance. |
| Covenant of Masons |
A covenant is a contract or agreement between two or
more parties on certain terms. In becoming a Mason, a
man enters into a covenant with the Fraternity, agreeing
to fulfill certain promises and perform certain duties.
On the other hand, the Fraternity and its members bind
themselves to certain ties of friendship, brotherliness,
protection support and benefits. The breaking of a covenant
is subject to stated penalties. |
| Cowan |
This is strictly a Masonic term; it means an intruder,
profane, pretender, or one who accidentally enters where
he is not wanted. This is not to be confused with the
word eavesdropper or one who deliberately tries to overhear
and see what is not meant for his eyes and ears. He is
a person who may seek the secrets and benefits of Freemasonry
unlawfully. The origin is unknown, but it may be early
Scotch. It was used of a man who practiced Masonry, usually
of the roughest character as in the building of walls,
who had not been regularly trained and initiated, corresponding
in some sense to "scab" as used by labor unions. If a
man has learned the work by some illegal method he is
a cowan. An "eavesdropper" is one who spies on a Lodge,
and may be such without having learned anything about
it before. A "clandestine" is one who has gone through
initiation ceremonies but not in a regular Lodge. |
| CRAFT |
In Anglo-Saxon, craft meant cunning, skill, power, dexterity,
etc. The word became applied to trades and occupations
calling for trained skill on the part of those practicing
it. The distinction between such trades and those not
requiring trained workmen, so rigidly maintained, was
one of the hallmarks of the Middle Ages. Freemasonry is
called a Craft, partly for historical reasons, partly
because, unlike so many fraternities, it requires a training
(given in the form of initiation ceremonies) of those
seeking its membership. |
| Craftsmen |
The term "craft" applies to persons collectively engaged
in a trade or mechanical operation. It is used of operative
Masons and the vast number of men employed in the building
of the Temple are referred to as Craftsmen. In speculative
Masonry, the entire Fraternity is spoken of as the Craft,
whereas individual members are Craftsmen. |
| Creation |
Freemasonry recognizes Jehovah as God and as the Great
Architect of the Universe, the creator of all things,
both material and spiritual. And it accepts the account
of Creation given in the Book of Genesis and confirmed
by other Scriptures. To a Mason, earth and the heavens
declare the Glory of God. |
| Cubit |
The sacred cubit is 36 inches; the profane cubit is
18 inches. |
| - D - |
|
| D.D.G.M |
District Deputy Grand Master, an assistant who acts
for the Grand Master in a particular district. |
| Dais |
The platform, or raised floor, in the East of the lodge
where the Master sits. In the lodge, the steps to this
should be three. The Senior Warden's place should be raised
two steps and that of the junior Warden, one step. |
| Darkness |
Symbolizes that state of ignorance before light (knowledge)
is received. |
| Darkness to Light |
Physical darkness is symbolic of ignorance and of spiritual
blindness. Applicants for the enlightenment of Freemasonry
are, of course, in total ignorance of the rituals and
symbolisms of the Order. They are, hence, required to
enter the Lodge in complete darkness. They are in search
of Light, and this is given to them as they advance through
the several Degrees of Masonry. |
| David |
David was the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem who
was chosen and anointed to become the successor of Saul
as King of Israel while only a lad and shepherd of his
father's flocks. He served King Saul as a musician, later
as a military leader of some genius, bravery, and great
heroism. However, he was bitterly persecuted by the King
because of his jealousies. At the age of thirty, David
was anointed King at Hebron and later established his
throne at Jerusalem. He reigned forty years and was permitted
by God to make extensive preparations for the building
of the Temple which was later erected by his son and successor,
Solomon. He was forbidden by to build the Temple because
he was a warrior while his son, Solomon, would be a man
of peace. |
| Day |
From the beginning, the period of twenty-four hours
embracing one season of light and one of darkness has
been regarded as a day. Among the ancients, the day began
at sunset and ended at sunset the next day instead of
running from midnight to midnight. |
| Deacon |
Comes from the Greek diakonos meaning "messenger or
waiting-man." Despite the fact that the bloom has been
rubbed off by our slangy use of it, this is one of the
most beautiful words in our language. In Greek, diakonos
was a servant, a messenger, a waiting man. In the early
Christian Church a deacon served at the Lord's Supper
and administered alms to the poor; and the word still
most frequently refers to such a church officer. It appears
that the two Lodge offices of Senior and Junior Deacon
were patterned on the church offices. |
| Deacons |
In every Masonic Lodge there are two officers called
Senior and Junior Deacons. Their duties comprehend general
surveillance over the Lodge, the introduction of visitors,
and to serve as proxy for the Worshipful Master in certain
circumstances. |
| Death |
The Masonic idea of death is accompanied with no gloom,
because it is represented on as physical sleep for an
unknown period of time, from which there will be an awakening
of the body and a resurrection of a spiritual body capable
and fitted for eternal life. From beginning to end, the
rituals of Freemasonry teach and symbolize the doctrine
of man's immortality and repudiate every iota of the doctrine
of annihilation at death. In Masonic philosophy, death
is the symbol of initiation completed, in which the resurrection
of the body will be its final consummation. |
| Decalogue |
The Ten Commandments. |
| Dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John |
Dedication is a less sacred ceremony than consecration.
Hence, lodges are consecrated to God, but dedicated to
patrons of the Fraternity. |
| DEDICATION |
The Latin dedicatus was a participial form of dedicare,
the latter having the meaning of declare, devote, proclaim
- the root from which "diction" comes. To dedicate a building
means by public ceremony to declare it built for some
certain purpose. Dedication and consecration are closely
allied in meaning, but the latter is more religious in
its purposes. |
| DEGREE |
The Latin gradus from which are derived grade, gradual,
graduation, etc., meant a step, or set of steps, particularly
of a stair; when united with the prefix, da, meaning "down,"
it became degradus, and referred to steps, degrees, progress
by marked stages. From this came our "degree," which is
a step, or grade, in the progress of a candidate toward
the consummation of his membership. Our habit of picturing
the degrees as proceeding from lower to higher, like climbing
a stair, is thus very close to the ancient and original
meaning of the word. |
| Demit or Dimit |
A release; a resignation of membership; a paper certifying
a withdrawal from a lodge (or Masonic body) when in good
standing. Both spellings are used, although DIMIT is peculiar
to Freemasonry only. In the U.S. some jurisdictions use
the former spelling, but the majority use the latter,
"Dimit." |
| DEPUTATION |
A group of words such as compute, repute, depute sprang
from the Latin putare, which meant (among other things)
to estimate, to think, to count among. From this came
deputatus, to select, to appoint. The idea was that from
a number of persons one was told off for a special duty,
hence our word "deputy." A deputation is an instrument
appointing some man or group of men to act for others
officially. Our Deputy Grand Master is thus set apart
to act in the place of the Grand Master on need, and a
District Deputy Grand Master is so called because he is
appointed or told off by the Grand Master to act as his
personal representative in a District. |
| Desires Shall Fail |
This quotation is used in its figurative significance,
referring to the fact that in the infirmities of old age
men are no longer concerned about the carnal and secular
things of the earth. |
| Destitute |
Lacking means, as without money or food. |
| Destruction of the Temple |
The Temple built by Solomon underwent many defamations
and was several times stripped of its golden adornments
and treasures, sometimes by foreign attacks and sometimes
by Judean kings for payments of tribute. These were judgments
sent upon the nation for apostasies. The final destruction
of the Temple was the burden of many prophecies and took
place as predicted by God under the onslaughts of the
armies of Nebuchadnezzar (586 B.C.). |
| Dew of Hermon |
The dews of Mount Hermon, and of Palestine in general,
were sources of irrigation, fertilization and refreshment
for vegetation and agricultural growth. The phrase is
employed as a symbolic expression of the bedewing influences
of Divine Grace. |
| Digest |
Book of laws of a Grand Lodge in the U.S.; sometimes
called The Code. |
| DISCALCEATION |
'While this is not as familiar to Masons as the preceding
words, it should come into more popular use because it
is the technical name to describe an important element
in the ceremony of initiation. Calceare was the Latin
for shoe, calceatus meant shod. When united with the prefix
dis, meaning apart, or asunder, our discalceate was originated,
the obvious meaning of which is the removal of one's shoes,
as suggested in the familiar Bible passage, "Put off thy
shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest
is holy ground." The ceremonial removal of the shoes is
properly called the "rite of discalceation." |
| Dispensation |
Permission to do that which would be forbidden otherwise.
Pendere was the Latin word for a weight, the root from
which came many English words, notably pendent, expend,
spend, dispense, etc. With the prefix dis, explained in
the preceding paragraph, dispendere meant to weigh out,
to pay off, to expend. From this came dispensatus, meaning
to manage, to regulate, to distribute. In our usage a
dispensation is a written instrument by which authority
is made over to a group of brethren to form a Lodge. |
| Distress |
Physical or mental anguish. A brother in distress does
not necessarily mean that he is without funds. |
| Distressed Worthy Brother |
To go to the aid of a distressed worthy Brother is not
only the aid of every Mason, but is solemnly enjoined
by Holy Writ. Masons believe and practice the Bible's
edict of "we are our Brother's keeper." A brother in distress
does not necessarily mean that he is without funds. |
| Doors Shall Be Shut |
The expression, "The doors shall be shut in the street
when the sound of the grinding is low" refers to the decrepitude
of old age. |
| Dotage |
An old man in his dotage is one whose fruit has ripened
and rotted, who has suffered the loss of judgment and
memory, and is in that state of intellectual decrepitude
which makes him incapable of comprehending the lessons
of Freemasonry; in other words, an advanced age when the
mind is no longer able to comprehend clearly. This is
not a very beautiful word but it is interesting. It first
came into existence among the early English, Dutch, German,
and Scandinavian peoples, generally in the form dotten,
dutten, meaning to nod with drowsiness, to nap. Since
it was old people who most frequently sat nodding in their
chairs it became associated with old age. "An old man
in his dotage" is one who nods or prattles like a sleepy
child, and whose faculties have begun to decay through
old age. Old age is never a bar to Masonic membership
unless it has reached this stage. |
| Due East and West |
Moses built the Tabernacle due east and west, and this
practice was carried on by the church builders. The Freemason
travels from the West to the East (light) in search of
a Master from whom he may gain instruction, or light, |
| Due Form |
A Masonic body is opened or closed in "due form" when
performed fully according to a prescribed ritual. Distinguished
from "ample form." |
| Due Guard |
A mode of recognition peculiar to Freemasons. |
| DUES |
In Latin debere meant to owe something; it is preserved
in our familiar, too familiar, "debt," in debit, indebted,
debenture, duty, dues, etc. Related is the French devoir,
often employed in English, meaning a piece of work one
is under obligation to do. The same idea appears in "duty,"
which means that which is due, or that which is owed,
in the moral sense. Dues represent one's fixed and regular
indebtedness to his Lodge which he placed himself under
obligation to pay when he signed the by-laws. |
| Duly and Truly Prepared |
That the candidate is truly prepared in his heart and
mind to receive further enlightenment; also, properly
clothed, Masonically. |
| Dust to Dust (or Dust To Earth) |
Man's body was made from the earth and must return to
dust in one form or another. The use of this phrase points
to the mortality and frailty of the physical being and
to the need of recognizing the immortality of the spirit
of man. |
| - E - |
|
| Ear, The Attentive or Listening |
The Hebrew word means not only to hear, but to understand
and to obey. |
| East |
From the Sun worshipers down through the ages, the East
has always been considered the most honored place because
the sun rises in the East and is the region from which
light rises. |
| Eavesdropper |
One who attempts to listen surreptitiously; literally,
one standing under the eaves and thus gets only the "droppings."
Early European peoples used a word in various forms -
evese, obasa, opa, etc., -which meant the rim, or edge,
of something, like the edge of a field; it came in time
to be applied wholly to the gutter which runs along the
edge of a roof. (Our "over" comes from this root.) "Dropper"
had an origin among the same languages, and meant that
which drips, or dribbles, like water dropping from a thawing
icicle. Eavesdrop, therefore, was the water which dripped
from the eaves. If a man set himself to listen through
a window or keyhole to what was going on in a house he
had to stand so close that the eavesdropping would fall
upon him, for which reason all prying persons, seeking
by secret means what they have no business to know, came
to be called eavesdroppers. |
| Ecliptic |
The imaginary line followed on the earth's surface by
the direct ray of the sun during the year. It niakes an
angle of 23' 27' with the equator. Jerusalem is located
in approximately 31' 30' north attitude, that is, approximately
7' 3' north of the ecliptic. |
| EDICT |
The root of this word is the Latin dicere, speak; united
with the prefix e, meaning out, to come forth, it produced
edicere, meaniiig to proclaim, to speak out with authority.
It came in time to be applied to the legal pronouncements
of a sovereign or ruler speaking in his own name and out
of his own authority. When a Grand Master issues a certain
official proclamation in his own name and out of the authority
vested in his office it is an edict. |
| Emblem |
A representation of an idea by a visible object; a symbolical
figure or design. This beautiful and significant word,
so familiar to Masons, has historical affiliations with
the original idea embodied in "mosaic work," on whch something
is said below. Emblem is derived from the Greek prefix
en, meaning in, united with ballein, meaning cast, put.
The word became applied to raised decorations on pottery,
to inlay work, tessellated and mosaic work; and since
such designs were nearly always formal and symbolical
in character, emblem came to mean an idea expressed by
a picture or design. As Bacon put it, an emblem represents
an intellectual conception in a sensible image. It belongs
to that family of words of which type, symbol, figure,
allegory, and metaphor are familiar members. |
| Emblem of Innocence |
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, the lamb is used as
an emblem of innocence, and the white leather lambskin
apron is regarded as an emblem of purity after which Masons
ever strive for in life. |
| Emblematical |
Symbolical, representing. |
| Embroidered |
Having a border. |
| Emulation |
The desire to equal or surpass; ambitious rivalry. |
| Entered Apprentice |
In Operative Masonry the apprenticeship lasted seven
years; if then found acceptable, the apprentice's name
was entered on the books of the lodge and he was given
a recognized place in the craft organization. |
| Equivocation |
The use of equivocal language, e.g., words capable of
two interpretations, cryptic, evasive, ambiguous. |
| ESOTERIC |
This is the opposite of exoteric. The root of it is
the Greek eso, within. It means that which is secret,
in the inner circle. Exoteric is that which is outside.
In Masonry the "esoteric work" is that part of the Ritual
which it is illegal to publish, while the exoteric is
that part which is published in the Monitor. |
| Eternal Life |
The immortality of the soul is a fundamental dogma of
Freemasonry. Hence, the faith and belief in eternal life
beyond the grave. The doctrine of a future resurrection
of the body is also a tenet of Freemasonry. |
| Euclid |
The first mathematician to Systematize the science of
geometry. |
| Evergreen |
In Masonry, the evergreen is used as a symbol of the
immortality of the soul. |
| Examination |
The examination of a brother to determine his geniuses
should not aim at displaying the committee's knowledge.
It is a test of the visitor. He need not be able to answer
questions from the Posting Lecture. He should know the
signs, grips, and words. |
| Expulsion |
Forcible ejection from membership for such reasons as
un-Masonic conduct, crimes, etc. It is the most severe
of Masonic penalties and deprives the person of all rights
and privileges formerly enjoyed from his lodge and the
Fraternity as a whole. |
| - F - |
|
| Faith |
The evidence of things not seen; confidence; trust. |
| Faithful Breast |
Symbolically, the initiate is instructed that the lessons
he has received are to be treasured in his heart and remembered,
and not to be forgotten; that which is told in confidence
will be so held. |
| Faithful Servant |
The faithful servant is one who is diligent in his stewardship,
dutiful to his master and loyal in the face of temptation
and trial. |
| Fatherhood of Good |
Masonry believes that man is the offspring of God by
creation, that God made mankind all of one blood and that
God is, by virtue of His creation of man and of His goodness
to man, man's Father. |
| Fealty |
Loyalty. |
| Fears Shall Be In The Way |
This phrase describes the failing of courage of old
age, the nervous and excited state of mind natural to
declining man. |
| FELLOW |
In Anglo Saxon lagu (from which we have "law") meant
that which was permanently ordered, fixed, set; fe meant
property; fela suggested properties set together, in other
words, a partnership. From this we have "fellow," a companion,
mate, partner, an equal, a peer. A man became a "fellow"
in a Medieval guild or corporation when admitted a member
on the same terms as all others, sharing equally in the
duties, rights, and privileges. In Operative Masonry,
in order to be a fellow a man had to be a Master Mason,
in the sense of having passed through his apprenticeship,
so that Masters were fellows and fellows were Masters.
Prior to about 1740 "Fellow of the Craft" and "Master
Mason" referred to the same grade or degree, but at about
that year a new division in ranking was made, and "Fellow
Craft" was the name given to the Second Degree in the
new system, Master Mason to the Third. |
| Fellowcraft |
A craftsman no longer an apprentice who has been admitted
as full member, but who has not yet reached the status
of a master. The fellowcraft age represents the stage
of manhood. |
| Fiat Lux Et Lux Fit |
Latin motto meaning "Let there be light, and there was
light." |
| Fidelity |
Faithfulness. |
| First landmarks of Freemasonry |
Modes of recognition with no variation. |
| Flight to Joppa |
The story of Jonah's flight to Joppa in his effort to
escape a Divinely-entrusted responsibility and service
for God is strikingly used in Masonic ritual. |
| Foreign Country |
This expression, which is employed of the travels of
Master Masons of the operative class following the completion
of the Temple in search of labor and for wages, is correctly
understood by few who hear it. In its symbolic meaning,
it does not refer to the activities of those who have
completed the Master Degree. Hence, Heaven is the "foreign
country" into which Master Masons travel, where the True
Word, not given in this life, is to be received, and where
the Master Mason is to receive his wages. |
| FORM |
We speak of the "form of the Lodge," "due form," etc.
The word is derived from the Latin forma, which meant
the shape, or figure, or frame of anything; also it was
used of a bench, or seat, whence the old custom of calling
school benches "forms." It is the root of formal, formation,
informal, and scores of other English words equally familiar.
The "form of the Lodge" is its symbolical shape; a ceremony
is in "due form" if it have the officially required character
or framework of words and actions. |
| Form of a Lodge |
An oblong square or parallelogram, twice as long as
wide. At the time of the Temple, the only known world
was the Mediterranean Sea and the countries to the north,
south and east, forming an oblong. Thus, the Freemason's
lodge was the world itself. |
| Fortitude |
The importance and essential value of this virtue of
true manhood for Masons is enforced by the use of the
story of unfaltering courage and faith of the three Hebrew
children in the fiery furnace and by Daniel's bravery
in the lion's den. The key to the meaning of this magnificent
word lies in its derivation from the Latin fords, meaning
strong, powerful, used in the Middle Ages of a stronghold,
or fort. Force, enforce, fortify, fortification, forceful,
are from the same root. A man of fortitude has a character
built strong like a fort, which can be neither taken by
bribe nor over-thrown by assault, however strong may be
the enemy, or however great may be the suffering or deprivation
within. One is reminded of Luther's great hymn, "A mighty
fortress is our God." |
| Foundation |
The deeply laid and solid foundation of the Temple strikingly
symbolizes the necessity for a good foundation in the
building of character and in life's vocations. |
| Fraternity |
A brotherhood, in which blood-bonds are replaced by
a common devotion to a principle, code, or creed. This
the most prized, perhaps, of all words in Masonry, harks
back to the Latin frater, which is so closely allied to
"brother," as already noted in the paragraph on that word.
It gives us fra, frater, fraternize, and many other terms
of the same import. A fraternity is a society in which
the members strive to live in a brotherly concord patterned
on the family relations of blood brothers, where they
are worthy of the tie. To be fraternal means to treat
another man as if he were a brother in the most literal
sense. |
| Free |
The origin of the use of the term "free" in speculative
Masonry is in the fact that the operative Masons who worked
on King Solomon's Temple were exempted from imposts, duties
and taxes as were their descendants. They were, therefore,
declared to be "free." |
| Free Born |
A free soul; one having attained mastery of himself
by self discipline. It is a misconception that this refers
to one not born into slavery. |
| Freemasons |
The early builders in Operative Masonry times were free
men, not serfs or bondsmen and were free to move from
one place to another as their work demanded. Thus, they
came to be called "Freemasons." |
| Furnishings of a Lodge |
Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, Charter or Dispensation. |
| - G - |
|
| G, Letter |
G: The letter -G- is the Saxon representative of the
Hebrew Yod and the Greek Tau; The initial letter of the
name of the Eternal in those languages. It has a double
meaning, representing, first, the Supreme Deity as the
Great Architect of the Universe and the one true and living
God of all Masons; and, secondly, the pre-eminence of
the science of geometry in the rituals of Freemasonry.
In this twofold symbolism, the letter "G" represents to
the Mason unity of Heaven with the earth, of the Divine
Being with the human, of the temporal with the eternal,
and of the finite with the infinite. The letter "G" is
one of the most sacred symbols in Freemasonry. The Lodge
cannot open, and no work can be performed unless this
sacred letter is conspicuously seen in its regularly assigned
place of honor in the Lodge hall. |
| G.A.O.T.U.: |
Grand Architect of the Universe. |
| GAGE |
Gage (also spelled "gauge") has an uncertain ancestry.
Early French and English peoples had gauger, gagen, etc.,
which referred to the measuring of wine casks; some believe
our "gallon" and "gill" to have been thus derived. Its
meaning became enlarged to include any kind of measuring,
literally or figuratively. The instrument used to do the
measuring came to be called "the gage." Among Operative
Masons it was used to measure a stone for cutting to the
required "twenty-four-inch gage" is such a measuring rod
or stick marked off into twenty-four inches. |
| Gates of the Temple |
The Temple of Solomon had only one entrance or portal,
but the walls of the enclosure had a gate at each points
of the compass. Freemasonry makes special symbolic use
of three of these gates, the one on the east, the one
on the west, and the one on the south. These gates are
symbols of the progress of the sum, rising in the east,
reaching its zenith in the south, and setting in the west.
They also symbolize birth, life, and death as well as
youth, manhood and old age. |
| Gavel |
Derives its name from its shape-that of the gable or
gavel end of a house. It is a tool used by a stonemason
and resembles a hammer having a pointed end for cutting.
The Working Tool gavel differs from the upright gavel,
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