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                       The Fellowcraft Degree

                           Masonic Symbolism
     The following are parts taken from several Masonic scholars and are
intended to give an introduction to Masonic symbolism. While no person
can claim to be a true spokesperson for FreeMasonry, some of these will
give at least a beginning of an understanding of the craft. I will give
credit to those authors I am quoting.
                             Introductory
     One of our Masonic scholars once said, "The symbolism of Masonry is
the soul of Masonry. Every symbol of a lodge is a religious teacher, the
mute teacher also of morals and philosophy. It is in its ancient symbols
and in the knowledge of their true meanings that the preeminence of
FreeMasonry over all other orders consists. In other respects, some of
them may compete with it, rival it, perhaps even excel it; but by its
symbols it will reign without a peer when it learns again what its
symbols mean, and that each is the embodiment of some great, old, rare
truth."  (A. Pike)
"In our Masonic studies, the moment we forget that the whole and every
part of FreeMasonry is symbolic or allegoric, the same instant we begin
to grope in the dark. Its ceremonies, signs, tokens, words, and lectures
at once become meaningless or trivial. The study of no other aspect of
FreeMasonry is more important, yet the study of no aspect of it has been
so much neglected."  (Oliver Day Street)
     "Take from FreeMasonry its symbols and but the husk remains, the
kernel is gone. One who hears but the words of FreeMasonry misses their
meaning entirely".  (Carl Claudy)
     These quotations firmly establish the vital role of symbolism in
the Masonic system. It seems fitting, therefore, that every craftsman
have a clear conception of what a symbol really is and why the study of
Masonic symbolism is so essential to a comprehensive knowledge of our
art.
     Literally, a symbol is a comparison. The word symbol is derived
from two Greek words meaning to throw together, to place side by side.
Thus, a symbol is a visible representation of some object or thing, real
or imagined, employed to convey a certain idea.
     We have no other way to express ideas than by the use of symbols.
When we say a man is "lion-hearted" we use symbolism. In ordinary usage,
however, by symbol we mean an object which stands for an idea. The Flag
is a symbol of our country; the Cross is a symbol of Christianity; the
Square is a Masonic symbol of virtue.
     Extending this conception further, ceremonies and actions may also
be symbolic. The military salute is a symbol of obedience and
discipline. A hearty handclasp may symbolize several ideas, friendship,
faith, sympathy. Kneeling for prayer is a symbol of humility,
submission, obeisance, reverence.
     It may be fairly asked why Masonic ritual should be so largely of
objective and ceremonial symbols; why it would not be simpler to give a
series of lectures. The answer, of course, lies in the well-established
fact that it is not enough to merely state ides; they must be driven
home with emphasis which will not only impress but will also be retained
by the recipient's mind.

     "FreeMasonry is rehearsed to the candidate by the rendition of
ritual, imparted to his mind by story, and impressed upon the memory by
symbols. By drama, story, and symbol, the eye, the ear, and the
recollection continually enrich the mind and quicken the conscience of
the thinking members of the Craft". (Albert Mackey)
     "Symbols are more vivid than words. They can express more than
words can say. Who can explain a flower, or say what a melody means "If
in Masonry, we speak of a Temple, we do not mean one of stone and
mortar. If we speak of a square, we do not mean one of steel or wood. If
we speak of the Compass, we do not mean one of metal". (Oliver Day
Street)
Symbols are more impressive than words. The person who sees the symbol
makes his own interpretation. The thought, then, is his own. He has done
more than see the symbol; he has created an idea. For a man holds to his
own ideas, and remembers them; and a symbol can express in an instant a
whole series of ideas; thus it does the work of many speeches.
     "The story of FreeMasonry, like other records told by the tongue,
would become stale by repetition and fall upon the ear less vigorously
each succeeding time we heard it, were it not that the facts historical
and the philosophies social and individual are linked to words by
pictures, an orderly system of spoken sounds and symbols illustrating
and impressing the eye and ear simultaneously...For this reason
FreeMasonry uses the simplest of symbols; the tools and materials of the
Stonemason's trade are sufficient for this purpose and they are found
everywhere...

     Our symbols are truly the quarried treasures of the Fraternity, set
forth to be applied by each of us in the building up of his
character...And, after all, that is FreeMasonry. To morally square
perfectly every contributing element that makes us what we are; to take
each of these and apply them one to another uprightly to the formation
of a praiseworthy life, and to build our personal structure so that we
may stand upon our record securely before men with an integrity
perpendicularly like unto the plumb, with a purpose absolutely level, as
is the implement of that name, and, withal, as positively square as ever
the most accurate of such tools would verify. That is the purpose of our
Craft.  (Albert Mackey)
     "In the ceremonies of making a Mason, we do not attempt to do more
than to indicate the pathway to Masonic knowledge, to lay the foundation
for the Masonic edifice. The Brother must pursue the journey or complete
the structure for himself by reading and reflection."  (Oliver Day
Street)
When our ritual ends, we have but given him a pattern, a blue-print, for
the erection of his own, personal Temple.

     ".... the symbolism of Masonry, like Masonry itself, is multi-
sided... Each view is of value and it is well that the subject should be
approached from every direction, but as no man can comprehend it all, it
is fitting and right that each student should concentrate his attention
on that division of the subject in which he is most interested."
(Charles Hunt)
     True, the ritual does assign a definite meaning to a certain few of
our emblems and symbols; and these interpretations must be considered as
basic and official; and, in the main, universal. But this does not
signify that the meanings thus assigned are restricted and cannot be
expanded if their value to the individual is enhanced.
     "He whose soul is not stirred to the very depths by the knowledge
that the principles of his beloved Order have inspired men in every age
and clime, as well as he to whom the beautiful teachings of our
progressive science are but moral platitudes, is an individualist
interested only in his own narrow self, indifferent to the practical
application of the useful rules of architecture whence his spiritual
structure shall derive figure, strength, and beauty. The science is of
no avail unless it leads to the practice of the art, and though we
should possess all knowledge and be able in beautiful and sublime
language to utter the thoughts that arise in us as we contemplate the
glorious Order, it profiteth us nothing. It is not by intellectual
attainment or oral expression that we become Masons, but by the way in
which we acquire the science and couple it with the art of Temple
building, and practice it in our everyday association with out fellow
men. 'No degree of Masonry is of any avail, unless it bears fruit in
action'". (Charles Hunt) Literally, every word, every act, every forward
step in our ritual has a definite purpose and can be properly
interpreted as being applicable to some phase of human existence.

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