Masonic ritual and symbolism
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Masonic ritual is the scripted words and actions that are spoken or performed during the degree work in a Masonic lodge.[1] Masonic symbolism is that which is used to illustrate the principles which Freemasonry espouses. Masonic ritual has appeared in a number of contexts within literature including in "The Man Who Would Be King", by Rudyard Kipling, and War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy.
Purpose
Freemasonry is described in its own ritual as a "Beautiful and profound system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols". The symbolism of Freemasonry is found throughout the Masonic lodge, and contains many of the working tools of a medieval or renaissance stonemason. The whole system is transmitted to initiates through the medium of Masonic ritual, which consists of lectures and allegorical plays.[2]
Common to all of Freemasonry is the three grade system of
Broadly stated, two of the most common Masonic rites, which are groupings of rituals are the Scottish Rite and the York Rite.
Lack of standardisation
Freemasons conduct their degree work, often from memory, following a preset script and ritualised format. There are a variety of different
Symbols in ritual
In most jurisdictions, a
In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is referred to in Masonic ritual by the titles of the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometrician or similar, to make clear that the reference is generic, and not tied to a particular religion's conception of God.[7]
Some lodges make use of tracing boards: painted or printed illustrations depicting the various symbolic emblems of Freemasonry. They can be used as teaching aids during the lectures that follow each of the three degrees, when an experienced member explains the various concepts of Freemasonry to new members.
Historically, Freemasons used various signs (hand gestures), grips or "tokens" (handshakes), and passwords to identify legitimate Masonic visitors from non-Masons who might wish to gain admission to meetings. These signs, grips, and passwords have been exposed multiple times; today Freemasons use dues cards and other forms of written identification.[9]
Overlap with symbolism in the Latter-day Saint Movement
Worship in temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares a commonality of symbols, signs, vocabulary and clothing with Freemasonry, including robes, aprons, handshakes, ritualistic raising of the arms, etc.[10] However, the meanings of each are different for the Freemasons and the Latter-day Saints.
Speaking in 1877 at the
Perceived secrecy of Masonic ritual
Freemasons often say that they "are not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets". The secrets of Freemasonry are the various modes of recognition – grips (handshakes), passwords and signs (hand gestures) that indicate one is a Freemason. While these and the rest of masonic ritual have all been exposed multiple times through the years, Freemasons continue to act as if they were secret, and promise not to discuss them with outsiders more out of tradition than a need for actual secrecy.[13]
This has led to a perception of more extensive secrecy among non-Freemasons. Anti-masons note the existence of “bloody oaths” by which the initiate swears to keep secret the key parts of masonic ceremonies.[citation needed] This perception of secrecy has led to the creation of many Masonic conspiracy theories.
Over the years, a variety of exposures have been published which purport to represent Masonic ritual, including Masonry Dissected by Samuel Prichard in 1730,[14] Three Distinct Knocks in 1760,[15] Jachin and Boaz in 1762,[16][17] and Morgan's Exposure of Freemasonry in 1826.[18]
The Morgan Affair and its aftermath
The mysterious disappearance of William Morgan in 1826 was said to be due to his threat to publish a book detailing the secret rituals of Freemasonry.
An attempt was made to burn down the publishing house, and separately, Morgan was arrested on charges of
See also
- Chamber of Reflection
- Grand College of Rites
- Church of St Edmund, Rochdale
- List of Masonic rites
References
- ISSN 1874-6691.
- ^ UGLE website Archived 2017-01-29 at the Wayback Machine What is Freemasonry, retrieved 12th Jan 2013
- ^ Pietre-Stones Kent Henderson, The Legend of Hiram Abif, retrieved 12th Jan 2013
- ^ Fred L. Pick, The Pocket History of Freemasonry, pp. 268–280.
- ^ "What promises do Freemasons take?". United Grand Lodge of England. 2002. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
- ^
Jacob, Margaret C. (2005). The origins of freemasonry: facts & fictions. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. OCLC 61478025.
- ^ King, Edward L. (2007). "GAOTU". Archived from the original on 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2007-04-09.
- ^ James Stevens Curl, The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry, Overlook Press, New York, 1991, 56–62.
- ^ Hodapp, Christopher. Freemasons for Dummies. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. pp. 18, 25.
- ^ Goodwin (1920, pp. 54–59).
- ^ "It is true that Solomon built a temple for the purpose of giving endowments, but from what we can learn of the history of that time they gave very few if any endowments, and one of the high priests [Hiram Abiff] was murdered by wicked and corrupt men, who had already begun to apostatize, because he would not reveal those things appertaining to the priesthood that were forbidden him to reveal until he came to the proper place." Brigham Young (January 1, 1877), "Remarks by President Brigham Young". Journal of Discourses Vol. 18, page 303. Also quoted in "Temple and Salvation for the Dead", Discourses of Brigham Young, compiled by John A. Widtsoe, Deseret Book Company, 1977
- ISBN 978-1-60781-346-0.
- ^ Hodapp, Christopher. Freemasons for Dummies. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. pp. 17–18, 154.
- ^ Prichard, Samuel (1730). Masonry Dissected: Being a Universal and Genuine Description of All Its Branches from the Original to this Present Time. As it is Deliver'd in the Constituted Regular Lodges ... To which is Added, the Author's Vindication of Himself. The Second Edition. By Samuel Prichard, ... J. Wilford.
- ^ V-n, w-o- (1785). The Three Distinct Knocks, Or the Door of the Most Antient Free-Masonry Opening to All Men. ... Being an Universal Description of All Its Branches. ... By W- O- V-n, Member of a Lodge in England at this Time. T. Wilkinson.
- ^ S, R. (1776). Jachin and Boaz; Or, an Authentic Key to the Door of Free-masonry, Both Antient and Modern: Calculated Not Only for the Instruction of Every New-made Mason; But Also for the Information of All who Intend to Become Brethren. ... To which is Now Added, a New and Accurate List of All the English Regular Lodges in the World, According to Their Seniority with the Dates of Each Constitution, and Days of Meeting. W. Nicoll, at n ̊51, St. Paul's Church-Yard.
- ISBN 978-0-85318-145-3.
- ^ Murderous Character of Freemasonry: Freemasonry Exposed by Captain Wm. Morgan, History of His Abduction and Murder, Confession of His Murder by Valance, Bernard's Reminiscences of Morgan Times, Oaths and Penalties of Thirty-three Masonic Degrees ... E.A. Cook & Company. 1882.
- ^ Peck, William F. (1908). History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York. The Pioneer publishing company. p. 63. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon “The Morgan Affair aftermath”, retrieved 21 September 2013
Sources
- Goodwin, S.H. (1920), Mormonism and Masonry: Origins, Connections and Coincidences Between Mason and Mormon Temple/Templar Rituals
External links
- Grand Lodge of Michigan
- Symbolism in Freemasonry
- Masonic Lodge Symbols: The Square and Compasses Archived 2020-07-25 at the Wayback Machine at AllFreemasonry.com