What does Masonic star mean? The meaning of Masonic symbols. Rough stone, perfect stone

In many historical documents that have survived to this day, there is evidence that the Masonic Order is a kind of successor to the secret organization of the Templars, which was almost completely destroyed in 1312 by the French king Philip IV the Fair.

Who are they?

The Order of Masons, or Free Masons, is not a public organization with any religious inclination. Some researchers believe that they secretly influence the activities of economic and political elites, and therefore secretly control our planet. In addition, it is believed that members of the Order are in the highest circles of power in all the leading countries of the world, since they sometimes manage to coordinate and find a common language even on the most intractable issues. Also, Freemasons are often identified with the large financial elite, which controls all areas of investment banking.

The Order, like many other organizations, has its own hierarchy. The highest level are the Grand Lodges, which have lower-level branches, and they, in turn, are divided according to geographical characteristics. As for the role of the Freemasons in governing the planet, skeptics tend to consider their influence greatly exaggerated, and many statements as unfounded.

Their goals

Researchers are inclined to believe that the original meaning of the Freemasons’ activities was to change the world for the better, that is, they wanted to make it more perfect so that everyone living on earth would feel happy. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to change the entire society and each person individually. But when Adolphe Cremieux became the head of Freemasonry in 1870, the policy of the Order changed radically. A certain program was developed aimed at establishing the dominance of the members of this secret society over the entire world. Some researchers are confident that the First and Second World Wars were planned by the Freemasons. But as can be seen from history, the final goal has not yet been achieved either peacefully or militarily.

From the very beginning, members of the Masonic Order tried to understand how to influence the world, and finally came to the conclusion that it was immediately impossible to forcibly change society and force every person to behave differently, guided by different values. To do this, it will be necessary to influence the consciousness of each individual individual, and, according to psychologists, this can only become possible in the case of gradual re-education.

This method requires a lot of time, since more than one generation of people must change before the necessary values ​​become the norm of social life. It is believed that members of the Order have come up with the fastest method of influencing the desires and thoughts of people through specially designed secret symbols of the Masons.

Basic signs and their meaning

Today there are a large number of symbols that are associated with the Order of Freemasons. It is simply impossible to describe everything in one article. Therefore, we will consider only the main symbols of the Masons and their meaning.

The Radiant Delta, or All-Seeing Eye, is one of the most famous signs of the Order. Most experts believe that this symbol has nothing to do with total control. On the contrary, he is the personification of the wisdom and truth that the student acquires, as well as the victory of good over evil. The reason that contributed to the fact that the All-Seeing Eye began to be perceived as a symbol of total control was its placement on coins and banknotes of many countries around the world.

The fact is that almost from the very beginning the Freemasons were surrounded by a certain aura of mystery, so many people wanted to become members of their Order. Some of them were very rich, and as you know, no organization refuses good funding. Therefore, not only architects and masons, but also those who had considerable money and great power began to be accepted into the ranks of the Freemasons. Thus, monarchs, lords, nobles, bank owners and large entrepreneurs appeared in the Order. A little later, they began to place the symbols of the Freemasons (there is a photo in the review) - the All-Seeing Eye and others - directly on banknotes, buildings that they built, and on a large number of other objects, thereby showing their power and might.

The square and compass are a sign that is interpreted differently depending on the stock. Most often it is associated with heaven and earth. Sometimes it is supplemented with the letter G, denoting God or geometry (from the English word Geometry). The relative position of the square and compass is important in all kinds of rites and ceremonies.

Depending on the lodges, the Masonic symbols may have some differences from each other. For example, instead of the letter G, a cross and a rose are depicted. This means that this symbol belongs to the Rosicrucian Order - one of the Masonic branches, which, unlike the Illuminati, did not become the object of persecution by society and the church.

The Book of the Sacred Law is a symbol depicting an open folio with a square and compass superimposed on it. This is not necessarily the Bible, as many may think, but the main scripture of those beliefs professed by members of a particular lodge. Presumably it was introduced with the aim of maintaining good relations with all religious denominations that have a fairly large influence in the world.

Various Freemason Symbols and Their Meanings

● The two pillars, called Jachin and Boaz, are a pair of brass or copper pillars that once stood in the city of Jerusalem, in Solomon's temple. They symbolize creation and destruction, or Earth and Space.

● The steps located between the columns are tests and purification by certain elements during initiation into the Masons.

● Mosaic floor with alternating black and white checkerboards. So this symbol denotes the area of ​​human feelings that are balanced with amazing accuracy: good and evil, grief and joy, etc.

● Three rings - a sign of the trinity of religions - antiquity, Judaism and Christianity.

● Pearls and shell are symbols of self-development. The Masons believed that a person in this world is just a grain of sand, which must independently turn into a pearl.

● Chimeras are the personification of an impossible dream that you must strive for with all your heart.

● The acacia branch symbolizes immortality.

Cross marks

Very important were the symbols of the Freemasons, which were made in the form of crosses. These include Kabbalistic, or trefoil, equilateral, Roman, or Greek, swastika, or gammed (all variants), six-pointed, Tau cross and others in combination with a triangle, five-pointed or six-pointed stars and a snake.

The sign belonging to the Rosicrucian Order looks very unusual. It represents a Tau cross with a snake nailed to it. This symbol signifies the dark side of a person, which is destined to die if the spirit is able to fulfill its destiny. Another sign of the Order - the cross and the rose - personify, respectively, the fire of earthly suffering and the divine light of the Universe, as well as the male and female principles.

Masons in Russia

According to legend, the first representative of this organization on Russian soil was Tsar Peter I the Great, who went to England with the Grand Embassy in 1699. It is believed that it was there that he received initiation from Christopher Wren, but there is no such information in any of the documents. But nevertheless, this seems to be true, given that the founder of St. Petersburg was not indifferent to all new-fangled Western trends, and Freemasonry, as is known, was based on humanistic principles and enlightenment.

According to documents, the first representatives and symbols of the Freemasons in Russia appeared in the 30s of the 18th century. At first, the organizations were headed by foreigners, but already in 1750 a lodge was operating in St. Petersburg, led by Count Vorontsov. By the end of the century, several Masonic societies, consisting mainly of guards officers, already existed in the capital of the Russian state. At that time, the lodges “Happy Consent”, “Silence” and “Consistency” were known. It should be noted that the government always felt some kind of threat, and therefore tried to control the Freemasons in one way or another.

The heyday of the Russian secret society dates back to the 1770s, when the historian, poet and statesman I. P. Elagin became the master of the Grand Lodge in St. Petersburg. Before him, Masons were engaged in traditional rituals for such organizations, minor charity, spent time in empty disputes, and the meetings themselves often ended in feasts. Elagin introduced a more strict procedure for the work of the lodges, since by that time he was a fairly experienced Freemason, an adherent of the Swedish system and a passionate admirer of Cagliostro. Under his leadership, there were 14 lodges, which consisted of about 400 initiates. A little later, he became the owner of the entire island, where the Central Park of Culture and Culture named after them is now located. Kirov.

Secret signs in the Northern capital

The symbols of the Freemasons in St. Petersburg can be found even just walking around the city. Perhaps the most famous building with a clear sign of a secret society is the Kazan Cathedral. Many guests and residents of the city are immediately struck by the obvious discrepancy between the impressive size of the mystical symbol, which is located on the pediment of the building, and the Orthodox cathedral. Above the entrance is a sign known as the "All Seeing Eye". It can be found on all porticos: on two it is carved from Pudost stone, and on one it is gilded.

The Kazan Cathedral was built during the heyday of Freemasonry in Russia (1801-1811). The connection between the temple and the secret society is also evidenced by the fact that at its origins stood the well-known Count Alexander Stroganov with his former serf Andrei Voronikhin, who also shared the views of the Freemasons. By the way, under Emperor Alexander I, the All-Seeing Eye symbol was used as a design element in the manufacture of orders and medals that were awarded to heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.

As you can see, the symbols of the Freemasons are present in many places in the architecture of St. Petersburg. The pediment of the Trinity Cathedral (Alexandro-Nevsky Lavra) is also decorated with a mystical sign with rays diverging in all directions. In addition, Sampsonievskaya Church in its external decoration also has signs of a secret society.

There are many legends about the Stroganov Palace - a truly luxurious building belonging to the Russian Baroque. Its author was the famous architect Rastrelli. This building in the shape of the letter “L”, located on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Moika, was erected in 1753. After a fire, which almost completely destroyed the original decoration, Stroganov architect Andrei Voronikhin was involved in its restoration.

According to legend, the symbols of the Freemasons decorated the entire interior of the palace. Even the sequence of location of the state halls, as well as private chambers, represented the ritual path of secret Masonic initiations. As for the patterns on the trellises, they consisted entirely of emblems personifying spiritual ascent. It is believed that in this house the freemason A. S. Stroganov, the son of the owner of the palace, held multiple meetings of his lodge. It is assumed that these events took place in the Egyptian (Physics) office, from the windows of which a beautiful view of the Kazan Cathedral opens. Even today, among the wall paintings of the Stroganov Palace you can find symbols of the Freemasons - crossed keys and a pomegranate flower.

Secret signs in the heart of the country

Some symbols of the Freemasons in the architecture of Moscow are quite well preserved and have survived to this day. It is worth noting that there is still a functioning lodge in the capital. One of the most common symbols is the cornucopia. It was in this form that the architect Bazhenov planned his last building - the Yushkov House, which currently houses the Russian Academy of Sculpture, Painting and Architecture. At one time, Masons often gathered here to perform their secret rites. Later, in this house, the publisher Novikov, who was also a member of the Order, organized a reading room where people could come, regardless of their origin.

Symbols of Freemasons in Moscow are found quite often. For example, Pashkov's house. This is perhaps the most famous Masonic building in the city. It is believed that it was from the roof of this house that the heroes of M. Bulgakov’s once banned work “The Master and Margarita”, Azazello and Woland, admired Moscow. In the last century, Masonic meetings were held within the walls of this building. It is relatively easy to discover secret symbols on it: salamanders and chimeras, plumb line and compass, acacia branches and pearls.

On the buildings where Masonic meetings took place, there are many symbols left by the Free Masons. Such buildings include the Menshikov Tower, the temple of the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” a museum dedicated to the work of A. S. Pushkin, the Sklifosovsky Institute and others.

Secret signs in Sochi

Whether they were at the Olympic Games or not, some not only foreign but also Russian media still saw a connection with the Order of Freemasons in some events. First of all, this concerns the unopened ring, symbolizing America. No one expected that this event would cause such a huge scandal.

Some argued that this was done deliberately and to please the company that sponsored this sports event. Others saw similarities with some kind of ritual procedure where Masonic symbols were used. At the Sochi Olympics there was another incident that surprised many people. The fact is that during the closing ceremony of the games, Valery Gergiev, who conducted the children’s choir, quite distinctly and clearly pointed with his hand at one of the Masonic signs - the so-called “goat”, which looked like an index finger and little finger raised up with a clenched fist.

Signs on money

If you carefully examine the reverse side of the American banknote, you can find the symbols of the Freemasons on it. There are several of them on the dollar, but it cannot be said with absolute certainty that these signs belong specifically to this Order.

● All-seeing eye. It is undeniable that this symbol is directly related to Freemasonry. But one cannot help but note the fact that Christians, Buddhists and Hindus had a very similar sign.

● Pyramid. Her image is used not only by members of the secret society in question, but also by other organizations.

● The constant presence of the number 13, which has long been considered Masonic. For example, it corresponds to the number of steps of the pyramid depicted on the banknote, the number of olives and leaves, as well as the number of arrows in the eagle’s claws. In addition, if you count the stripes on the shield and the stars above the bird, then there will also be 13 of them. Moreover, the phrases Annuit coeptis and E pluribus Unum have the same number of letters. But there is a reasonable explanation for this - at first America had only 13 states, so this fact may just be a coincidence.

● At the base of the pyramid there is an encrypted inscription MDCCLXXVI, indicating the number 1976. This date is the year of the emergence of the secret Order of the Illuminati, but at the same time the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States took place.

● If you take and draw a Star of David around the pyramid, the word Mason is formed. This is a coincidence that is quite difficult to explain.

There are other patterns, either, or coincidences with other secret signs. But they are not only found on dollar bills. Masonic symbols on money can be found everywhere. They could be seen both on Russian royal coins and on modern Ukrainian banknotes - the All-Seeing Eye is depicted on the 500 hryvnia banknote.

Today we can say with confidence that the symbols of the Freemasons (we presented the photo in the article), which were developed a very long time ago and were expressed in certain rituals, not only have not been lost over the past centuries, but their role is still preserved and has a huge impact on modern world.

The symbolism of the Masons (Masonic signs and symbols) is a kind of code that helps hide secret Masonic knowledge from uninitiated people. Encryption can be given on the binding, the first page of the book, or in watermarks. Or it may be completely absent, so that the uninitiated cannot find out the meaning of the encoded information.

Messages are also sometimes hidden in individual letters of the first paragraph or in inserted decorations of ancient tomes. Often information is encoded using musical and mathematical notations.

Historical background

Masonic symbols arose under the influence of medieval masons. At the end of the training, all apprentices received their own signs, taken from the mother figure of the lodge (guild). Subsequently, they marked the completed work.

Even now, based on this symbolism, one can determine where the builder who recreated this or that object was from. The main responsibility of all newly arrived members of the society was to create their own code and interpret its meaning at the meeting.

Freemasons also invented magical and cabalistic alphabets. The most famous of them is the angel letter. It is famous for the fact that its letters are shaped like constellations. In general, there is an immense amount of symbolism, so it is worth highlighting the most important symbols.

Masonic signs and symbols

Radiant delta - meaning of the symbol

A generally accepted sign borrowed from Christianity. The original name of the eye enclosed in a triangle is “All-Seeing Eye”. This is a symbol of the Great Architect of the Universe, who looks at the work of free masons:

The eye is wisdom, hidden truth, good that has triumphed over evil;

Triangle – enlightenment and fire.

Masonic compass and square

Both of these tools are tools of the architects' work. Measuring instruments allegorically represent discernment and discernment. In Masonic culture it is an emblem of learning. Such lessons generally concern behavior: masons are taught to limit their actions, as if with a compass, and to keep themselves within the strict limits of virtue.

Two bronze, brass or copper columns that stood at the door of the First Temple of Jerusalem. Reminds me of Egyptian obelisks. These are Masonic symbols of creation and destruction:

The northern pillar of Boaz signifies Earth and Chaos;

South Yakhin personifies the ordered Cosmos;

The steps between them express the testing and purification of beginners.

Initially, this is a “construction apron” without any decorations. Now it is an attribute of regalia, obligatory to be worn in the box. They began to sew it from white sheep skin, sometimes changing the trim and edging. The color has an allegorical meaning: a high standard of behavior and ethics.

Crosses and squares

More complex symbols: Crux Ansata (tau cross) and a cross in a circle. The first is known as the ancient Egyptian Ankh, a symbol of immortality. No less popular is the “Baal Bridge square”, which looks like a swastika. It has an inscription, the meaning of which boils down to the obligation to live with care and love.

Masonic signs and symbols and their meaning

1 (20%) 1 vote

What is the meaning of human life on earth if everyone dies anyway?

Masonic tattoos were created so that brothers from the Order of Masons could distinguish each other from ordinary people. Nowadays there are a lot of such “Masons” simply because their symbolism is very attractive to tattoo lovers. Or maybe this is a universal conspiracy? It’s just that the Masons decided to hide in the crowd, and a lot of tattoos not on their brothers distract attention from the real “Masons”?

But, since you are interested in this topic, let’s write the general meanings of Masonic symbols and analyze several individual, most common signs.

Masonic eye tattoo

The drawing of an eye placed in a triangle is the most common in the world. Such a symbol can be found not only on human skin, but also on buildings, ritual objects, on rings and even on banknotes. A Masonic eye tattoo signifies higher wisdom, higher conscience, and omniscience. Eye in a triangle - enlightenment. This is a symbol of the Great Architect of the Universe, the Cosmic Mind, the Sun. The All-Seeing Eye is a sacred sign for many cultures and philosophical, occult movements.

Masonic eye in other cultures

This symbol was first discovered among the ancient Egyptians. It looked a little different, but meant the same All-Seeing Eye. We are talking about the Eye of Horus or Wadjet - a powerful amulet that even the pharaohs considered obligatory to wear. Those who believe that the eye in the triangle is exclusively a Masonic sign are deeply mistaken. The original meaning of the symbol is: light, supreme truth, spiritual consciousness, spiritual center, place of enlightenment and perfect intellect. It is not surprising that this sign was depicted on the walls of temples and other religious monasteries. Let's say you can see the All-Seeing Eye on the main portico of the St. Petersburg Kazan Cathedral.

Having decided to get such a tattoo, you should decide what meaning you attach to it, because Masonic tattoos, the meaning of which is so multifaceted, can bring you both strength and enslavement.

Other Masonic tattoos: meaning

Whichever symbol from this group you apply, you should remember their religious significance. As a sacred sign, such tattoos should be applied only above the waist. The most appropriate parts of the body for this sign are: arms, back of the head, back, chest.

Masonic tattoos contain the most harmless meaning in pictures with a compass and square. This symbol speaks of a willingness to learn and limit oneself. The letter “G” is written in the center of the sign, meaning God. Another common symbol is the cross, which is drawn accompanied by other Masonic signs. The cross symbolizes the sun or the four earthly elements.

Masonic sign tattoo for women

Girls prefer to depict the All-Seeing Eye on their bodies. This eye seems to look into your soul. A sign that a girl seeks to understand this world more deeply or read people’s thoughts. Sometimes we come across a tattoo of a Masonic sign in the form of an owl, in the center of which is a Masonic eye. This speaks of clairvoyance or the desire for enlightenment.

Someone managed to figure out that a Masonic eye tattoo means promiscuity and unconventional orientation. Therefore, when getting a tattoo, it is worth remembering that you are applying a design, first of all, so that it pleases and supports you, indicates your intelligence, vigilance, ability to navigate and control the situation.

What does a Masonic eye tattoo mean for men?

For men, the Masonic eye signifies the desire to rise to a higher level of evolution and influence. Thus, the man wants to receive the power and protection of this ancient sign. In Christianity, the Eye in a triangle is a symbol of God, in Buddhism - the third eye. In the modern world, new facts have been added. It is believed that an eye in a triangle is a warning that the owner of the tattoo sees everything, and also means a talisman against strong outside influences.

When applied to the back, the owner provides himself with protection from attacks and diseases. The sign warns against deceit and saves from accidents and illnesses. This ancient symbol was used precisely as self-defense. A sign of super abilities, the ability to read minds, connections with magic and the other world.

Often they try to print small designs on the elbows, palms, feet or knees. We don't recommend this for purely practical reasons. Tattoos in such places quickly become unusable due to the constant renewal of the skin on them. In addition to increased pain, we are faced with a picture that has changed over the years, which will have to be interrupted more than once.

This symbol looks best in geometry and blackwork styles.

)" (Scottish Rite).

Areopagus- meeting of Masons of the 30th degree DPSHU (Knight Kadosh).

Archetype- the original model or original principle, the form according to which everything else is created. In symbolism, it is an object, an image, adopted as a symbol.

Lodge Archives- the place where protocols and other documents of the lodge are stored. Also the protocols themselves, documentation in general.

Assembly - an annual meeting of all the brothers of the grand lodge or representatives of all symbolic lodges, at which the reports of the great master, the great orator and the great secretary are heard, the results of the Masonic year are summed up, and work plans for the next year are approved.

Graduate student- (from Lat. aspiro) - “to search, to look for something.” A person who has already been chosen for initiation, while a candidate is a person who is still applying for initiation.

Affiliation- literally adoption, (from Latin filius - son). In a broad sense, the process of admitting a Mason to a lodge.

Ahiman Rezon is the title of the books of the constitutions of the Great Patriotic War (Lawrence Dermott - 1756), South Carolina (Albert G. Mackay - 1852), etc. “Ahiman Rezon” is usually translated in various Masonic sources as “helping a brother,” but there are other interpretations : “Secrets of the Prepared Brother” (Dalko), “The Will of the Chosen Brothers” (Mackay), “Brother Secretary” (Rockwell). Since at least part of this name is apparently of Hebrew origin, let us attempt a literal translation using phonetically and logically related Hebrew words:

<ах>, plural h.<ахим>- brother, brothers;<мин>, <ми>, <ме>- from, from, with, to;<рацон>, plural h.<рецоним>- will, desire, passion, choice, willpower, good will.

In order to write Hebrew words in Latin letters, some Jews in Eastern Europe used the Latin letter for the transmission of Hebrew letters<цаде> - <ц>, influenced by the German language. Thus, observe the changes in the Hebrew vowels in the following combinations:

<ах-и ми рацон>- my chosen brother;<ах-ай ми рацон>- my chosen brothers;<ах-им ми рацон>- chosen brothers.

All these phrases explain exactly what our brotherhood is the stronghold of, in which people of good morals become each other’s chosen brothers. Therefore, it is an ideal title for The Book of Constitutions.

B

• Vote- secret voting, by which the brothers of the lodge make decisions on the most important issues, such as: the admission of a new member, the election of the Worshipful Master and Treasurer, etc.
• Balderik- Masonic baldric, a ribbon worn over the shoulder.
• Battery- in Masonic agape - bottles or glasses of wine.
• Shin bones- a symbol of death, often used along with the skull in many Masonic ceremonies, for example during the candidate's stay in the "Chamber of Reflection" before initiation into the degree of Apprentice.
• Biblical characters in symbols- in the rituals of various Masonic degrees the following biblical characters are mentioned: Moses, Aaron, Eleazar, Joshua, Solomon, Adoniram, Abda, Hiram the King of Tire, Cyrus, Artaxerxes, Zerubbabel, Queen of Sheba; as well as their attributes: Skins of a lamb (Peter 1:19, Proverbs 27:26); Censer (2 Chronicles 4:22, Revelation 8:3, Exodus 38:3, Hebrews 9:4); All-Seeing Eye (Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 11:4, Psalm 33:18); Ark and Anchor (Hebrews 6:19, Hebrews 11:7); Scythe (Job 14:2, Isaiah 38:10); The sword resting on the naked Heart (Luke 2:35); Acacia (Ezra 27:19).
• The Bible is the Book of the Holy Law of Christians, resting in a box on the altar of three lights (altar of oaths) along with a compass and square. Masons take all oaths on the Bible and assume all obligations. When the works are opened, the Bible opens, symbolizing the spiritual Light pouring from the East, and when closed, it closes. The Bible opens, depending on the type of Masonic organization, on different pages. In a symbolic lodge, this is most often 1 chapter of the Gospel of John.
• Charity(Masonic) - not only material help, but also “that benevolent state of mind which makes a person full of good will and passionate respect for others.”
• Bozan(Beausant) - the military banner and battle cry of the medieval “Knights of the Temple” (Templars). The black and white banner of the "Order of the Temple", the upper, white half of which symbolizes the horror of enemies, and the lower, black half - loyalty to brothers and friends.
• Majority- when voting in the lodge and grand lodge, the principle of making a decision in favor of the majority, simple or limited by one or another attribute, is carried out, subject to the casting vote of the great master.
• Brotherly chain- one of the oldest rituals of Freemasonry, when all the brothers of the lodge, during the opening or closing ceremony of works, stand in a circle, holding hands, symbolizing the worldwide brotherhood and friendly ties of Freemasons.
• Brotherly kiss- a three-time cross kiss, a sign of mutual trust and desire to come to the rescue.

IN

• Widow(widow's children) - one of the allegorical names of the Masonic brotherhood, derived from the definition of Master Hiram from 1 Kings 7:14:<…сын одной вдовы из колена Неффалимова…>.
• A Grand Lodge is a territorial organization that includes all symbolic lodges and all Masons located in a certain territory (as a rule, only one Grand Lodge can exist in a country). The Grand Lodge is absolutely sovereign and has absolute power to make important decisions within its jurisdiction, but has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the other Grand Lodges. Led by a great master. The leadership of the Grand Lodge is carried out by the Grand Officers elected at the general assembly or appointed by the Grand Master, who make up the Grand Power Committee (College of Grand Officers or Council of Grand Officers) of the Grand Lodge. The decisions of the VL and VDK are binding on all Masons in the territory of the relevant jurisdiction.
• Great Triad- one of the central concepts of Masonic philosophy, the archetype of the consubstantial first principle, manifested in trinity, corresponds to the three sephirot of Kabbalah, where the sephiroth Hochma (wisdom - the father) and Binah (mind, the power of thought - the mother) generate Kether (royalty, the beauty of greatness). The principle of the triad is also reflected in the trinity of deities of different religions: Christianity - God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit; Judaism - Yahweh, Messiah, Divine Presence (Divine Presence); Hinduism - Rama, Shiva, Vishnu, etc.
• Great lights- Bible, Compass and Square. The Bible personifies the will of the Lord, the square - the physical life of a person, the compass - his moral and spiritual life.
• The Great Architect of the Universe is a central Masonic concept for the One Creator God. According to ancient landmarks and constitutions, work in the lodge is carried out in the name of the Great Builder of the Universe.
• Great East- the place where the grand lodge meets and from where it sends its orders and edicts. Also, another name for a grand lodge.
• The Grand Master is the leader of the Grand Lodge, the sole and highest authority in its territory and jurisdiction. Elected at the general assembly for a period of one year. Has the right to the last and decisive vote on all matters, as well as to be admitted into the fraternity without following the usual procedure. Represents the Grand Lodge at international Masonic events and in international quasi-Masonic organizations.
• Great work - ( lat. magnum opus) - the concept of alchemical and Rosicrucian symbolic philosophy, meaning the final result of the spiritual quest of the adept, the achievement of moral and physical perfection, the elevation of his true, spiritual nature to an understanding of the meaning of being and merging with the highest spiritual principle. In a narrower sense - obtaining the philosopher's stone.
• Verviers- what connects the candidate with his future brothers; the length of a Masonic rope is the amount of sacrifice he is willing to make when helping a brother in distress. In ancient times, a Mason was obliged to help his brothers within a radius of three miles. The distance is now about forty miles.
• Faithful Lodge- a box equipped with three great lights.
• acacia branch- a symbol of the immortality of the soul, also a symbol of the degree of master, since it plays an important role in the legend of Hiram.
• Milestones(landmarks) - the ancient and universal laws of the order, which gradually grew into a way of action.
• Contributions- sums of money paid by the candidate for initiation for each of the degrees he completes, as well as by any brother of the lodge annually. Typically, contributions support the activities of the grand lodge and the lodge itself, as well as Masonic charity work. The amount of a lodge member's annual dues may be reduced for the provision of certain services to the lodge, and even a complete waiver of dues may be possible by agreement with the Worshipful Master of the lodge.
• Spiral staircase- the path of testing the human soul; he must approach the ladder, believing that it does not go up endlessly, that by climbing it for a long time and sparing no effort, he will reach middle chamber, light source.
• Mason's age- a symbolic value based on the ancient laws of operational masons and Pythagorean magic of numbers. Refers to the number of years spent in one degree or another of initiation. Each of the symbolic degrees has its own age.
• Free masons were ancient builders, operational masons, who were truly free, that is, they were not serfs or tributaries, were not tied to the land, and could freely move from place to place according to work needs.
• Free Sciences and Arts- grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.
• East - since the times of sun worshipers and throughout the history of mankind, the east has been considered the most sacred side of the world, since the Sun rises in the east, and it is from there that life-giving light flows.
• East eternal- go to the eternal East - die, go to another world.
• Eastern Star is a Para-Masonic organization that accepts both men and women. Founded in New York on December 28, 1868. The organization's symbolism is mainly associated with female figures in the Bible. Headed by a great matron and patron.
• Oriental chair- the place of residence of the venerable master, a symbol of the eastern throne of King Solomon.
• Temporary box- the same as an “extraordinary” lodge, held by a grand master for a specific occasion, for example, for initiation without observing a ceremony. Or simply a lodge that exists only for the period of time while their brothers are together. There were many such lodges during the time of Operational Freemasonry.
• IN:. WITH:. IN:. WITH:. IN:.- “For the Glory of the Great Builder of the Universe.”
• The all-seeing eye is a symbol of the presence of God in all the works of free masons.
• Electivity- the basic principle of the organizational policy of Freemasonry. A Worshipful Master and Treasurer (Grand Master and Grand Treasurer) are elected by all the brothers of the symbolic lodge (grand lodge) by secret ballot (ballot). Members of special commissions of the symbolic lodge, grand lodge or Masonic committees are also elected.
• Higher degrees- additional degrees following the first three, or symbolic degrees. Usually grouped into the so-called. charters, for example, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the Ancient York Rite, the Memphis-Mizraim Rite, etc. The very expression “superior” is incorrect: there is nothing “superior” in them in relation to the first three.

G

• Hermes is the Greek god of trade and messenger of the gods. The Romans have Mercury.
• Hermes Trismegistus (Thrice Greatest) - It is believed that this was the great Egyptian philosopher, the founder of the art of Alchemy, or the Hermetic sciences. Author of from 12 to 36 thousand books (according to various researchers) devoted to almost all areas of knowledge. Some legends say that he was the incarnation of the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom, Thoth. The first intellectual, the founder of scientific knowledge and esoteric search. Presumably lived in the 3rd century. BC e.
• Guilds(Masonic) - organizations that preceded operational Freemasonry. These were also organizations of builders, bound together by the laws of the guild and local rescripts, who did not, however, have freedom of movement from place to place.
• The globe - the earthly and celestial spheres in the ritual - is a clear anachronism, since in ancient times it was believed that the Earth was flat. In any case, spheres or ellipsoids have always symbolized the Universe, and in this sense, Masonic globes are no exception.
• Vote- the main way of making decisions on all issues in Freemasonry, can be open or secret (balloting)
• Year (Masonic) - while the civil chronology takes the Nativity of Christ as the starting point, after the date it is placed “from A.D.” (A.D.), the Masons calculate chronology from the moment when the Lord said: “Let there be Light!”, as a result of which their chronology is called the “year of Light” (A.L.).
• Blue Lodge is a term developed over time to denote the first three degrees, or symbolic Freemasonry. In the first period of history, craftsmen wore aprons with blue trim. The color blue symbolizes perfection, truth, goodwill, universal brotherhood, and loyalty.
• The coffin - from the time of the Mysteries of antiquity, where the candidate was placed in a coffin and then removed from it, symbolizes the "resurrection from the dead."
• Rough stone- unenlightened brother; a person in his natural state, before initiation into the degree of disciple.

D

• Let there be Light; and the Light became- (Latin “Fiat Lux et Lux fit”) - Masonic motto.
• So be it - a ritual phrase that is used by Freemasons and, slightly less frequently, by neo-pagans. The earliest mention of this phrase dates back to 1390, in the poem Regius.
• Giver(Brother Gracious) - a lodge officer who collects fines and donations.
• Dual membership- membership in two or more Masonic organizations of the same type, for example, in two symbolic lodges.
• The double-headed eagle is the oldest emblem of the monarchy, dating back to the pre-Christian period. The eagle is a symbol of strength and power; when the Roman Empire split into Western and Eastern, it adopted the symbol of the double-headed eagle, meaning dual (ecclesiastical and secular) absolute power. However, it is known that this emblem was widely used even before the era of Rome. The 33° talisman is a double-headed eagle whose heads are crowned.
• A decree is an emergency order of the Grand Master, mandatory for execution by all members of the Brotherhood belonging to a certain jurisdiction.
• A wild lodge is an association of Masons or simply laymen who are not recognized as a Masonic lodge and do not have a charter to carry out work from a legitimate grand lodge.
• Diploma (Masonic) - a document issued to a Freemason for presentation to Masonic organizations throughout the world and indicating his initiation to a certain degree. There are also award diplomas from the Grand or symbolic lodges for special services to the Brotherhood.
• Good will- “By free will and without coercion...” - means that the candidate himself is able to distinguish good from evil and make the right decision that the candidate asks for admission to the Order without being encouraged to do so or forced to do so by someone else.
• It's raining (snowing)!- a Masonic conventional phrase meaning: There is a layman among us!
• "Proper image"- the Masonic organization opens and closes work only when it is “properly” prepared for this, that is, working strictly according to the prescribed ritual. Should be distinguished from “sufficient image”.
• "Properly prepared..."- the candidate must be truly ready in the depths of his heart and mind to accept further enlightenment; in addition, in the Masonic understanding, he must be properly vested.
• Additional orders- the degrees of “Knight of the Red Cross” and “Knight of Malta” in the Templar initiation system, which are initiated in addition to the degree of Knight of the Order of the Temple, which is the main one.
• "Sufficient Image"- a Masonic organization opens and closes its proceedings while in “sufficient form,” that is, in the presence of the appropriate presiding officer.
• Jewelry(movable and immovable) - Movable Jewels is the rough and perfect stones and the drawing board. They are called so because they are not assigned any particular place in the box, while Immovable Jewels- compass, square and plumb line - located in certain places. They are called "jewels" not because they are made of any special material, but solely because of their meaning.
• Ancient charters- constitutions, laws, rules established by the predecessors of Freemasonry.
• Ancient Freemasons or Ancient York Freemasons- a grand lodge established by Irish Freemasons in England in 1751, called the Grand Lodge of the Ancients, which was supposed to oppose the Grand Lodge of the Moderns.
• Ancient mysteries- secret societies of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Persians.

E

• Freemasonry is an organization probably founded in 1776 in London by Count Cagliostro. This charter attracted many supporters.

Z

• Will(philosophical) - a document drawn up by the candidate before initiation into the apprentice degree and containing answers to questions regarding what the candidate wants to wish for himself, his family and his country. During the initiation ritual, a form of philosophical testament is burned in front of all the brothers of the lodge, providing a kind of secret confession.
• Detention (revocation) of the charter- temporary suspension of the work of the lodge and all types of its activities by decision of the Grand Master. A temporary order until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, the only body that can approve, review or annul the decision of the Grand Master.
• "Lawfully established..."- a lodge operating under the permission and charter of the Grand Lodge.
• Closing of work- a ritual that ends work in the lodge.
• Hall of Lost Steps- same as Reflection Chamber.
• Volley- during fraternal agape - a toast.
• Zapon - Masonic apron made of lamb skin. From ancient times in ancient Persia, Egypt, India and the Hebrew kingdoms, a white apron was a badge of honor, and candidates for initiation were required to wear it, or a veil, or a robe. It reflects purity of thoughts and innocence of behavior.
• Wage- symbolizes the fruits of Masonic labor. A salary increase is the initiation of a candidate to another degree.
• Star vault- symbolic cover (ceiling) of the lodge.
• Grain, wine and oil- three elements of sanctification. In ancient times, these three substances were considered basic and important for maintaining human life, symbols of the wealth and prosperity of the people.
• A snake biting its tail is an ancient Gnostic symbol of infinity, a symbol of universal gnosis and the unceasing search for truth.
• Signs(Masonic) - methods of mutual identification, often serving as a reminder of some historical or mythological event or words of an oath.
• Zerubbabel was the leader of the first group of Jews returning from Babylonian captivity. Descended from the family of King David. The Persian king Cyrus handed him the vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel began laying the foundation for the Second Temple of Jerusalem and saw its construction completed.

AND

• Jehovah is the rabbinic reading of the sacred Tetragrammaton, the name of God (YHVH).
• Exile- forced exclusion from members of the organization for, for example, non-Masonic behavior, crime, etc. The most severe of Masonic punishments, depriving a person of all the benefits that he enjoyed in his lodge and in the fraternity in general.
• Inauguration is the ceremony of swearing in the Grand Master of a Grand Lodge.
• Exclusive territorial right- the principle stating that the Grand Lodge is the highest and supreme body of Masonic authority on its territory.
• The installation is the swearing-in of the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge, the Worshipful Master of the symbolic Lodge and its officers.
• John the Theologian is the son of Zebedee, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. One of the fishermen who left their nets in Galilee and followed Christ. He was next to the Teacher during the Prayer for the Chalice in the Garden of Gethsemane. A beloved disciple of Christ, he lived to the age of 95, performing miraculous healings; Having been exiled to the island of Patmos by the Roman emperor Domitian, he wrote the book “Revelations of Jesus Christ”. Particularly revered by Freemasons. The Gospel of John is considered the most esoteric of the four canonical ones. On the Altar of Oaths in the Lodge, the Bible is most often opened on the first page of the Gospel of John. St. John the Evangelist's Day - June 21 - is one of the two main Masonic holidays during the calendar year. Symbolic boxes are usually dedicated to either St. John the Evangelist or St. John of Jerusalem, that is, the Evangelist and the Baptist. The first three degrees of Masonic initiation are called St. John's.
• John the Baptist (Forerunner) is the son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, a relative of Mary the Mother of God. His birth was accompanied by many miraculous phenomena. He spent his entire life, right up to the moment he began his Service, in desert asceticism. At the age of thirty he returned to begin preaching the strengthening of faith and general repentance. The first baptized converts in the Jordan River. He baptized Jesus of Nazareth and pointed to the Holy Spirit descending on the latter. He constantly denounced the vices and sins of the Jews, especially King Herod for his sinful relationship with his brother’s wife, Herodias. He was imprisoned by Herod, where he was killed, according to legend, to please the daughter of Herodias Salome. He is especially revered by Freemasons as the first and one of the greatest Christian prophets. St. John the Baptist's Day - January 13 - is one of the two main Masonic holidays during the calendar year.
• Trial- a symbolic obstacle on the candidate's path to initiation to a certain degree. The number of tests varies depending on the degree.
• Research Lodge - Lodges consisting primarily of Masters that do not conduct initiations to the Symbolic Lodge degree and do not charge dues to their members. They are engaged in research in the field of Masonic philosophy, sacred history and Hermetic science.

TO

• Kadosh is the name of the 30th degree of DPSHU in many Masonic charters. (From the Hebrew “kadosh” - “holy”)
• Masonic calendar - Freemasons date their documents in a rather unique way. The various starting points in the chronology of the various Masonic obediences are based on certain historical facts.
• The Reflection Chamber is a dark room where the candidate resides before being initiated into the Apprenticeship. The chamber is filled with symbols of death and decay. The candidate must, while sitting in it, fill out the forms of the philosophical testament and the questionnaire of the grand lodge. A symbol of the mortal nature of man, the hopelessness of his existence, a way out of which is offered by Freemasonry by bestowing the great light of knowledge.
• Candidate- (from Latin “candidatus”) - “dressed in white.” During the days of the Roman Empire, candidates for public office appeared before the Senate dressed in white. In Freemasonry, a person who satisfies the requirements of the Ancient Landmarks, the constitution and regulations of the grand lodge and is preparing for initiation. Typically, a candidate is considered until a petition for membership is submitted, after which he is called a graduate student.
• Chapter- from lat. (caput - capitulum) - (head - head) - organizational unit of the Rosicrucian degrees (15-18°) of the DPSHU, Royal Arch Masons (Royal Arch), as well as some other Masonic orders and para-Masonic organizations (Order of the Eastern Star, Knights Templar, Daughters Job, etc.).
• Cardinal Virtues- moderation, perseverance, prudence and justice, that is, moral virtues identified by Plato. The word “cardinal” (comes from the Latin cardo) - “main, fundamental”.
• Cardinal landmarks- East - wisdom; West is power; South - beauty; North is darkness.
• Catena(catenary arch) - (from Latin Catena) - chain - a special form of arch, revered in Freemasonry, an arch formed by a chain hanging freely between two columns.
• Catechism- the teachings of Freemasonry in the form of questions and answers. Catechisms exist for each of the degrees of initiation, and in some jurisdictions, before initiation into the next degree, the candidate takes an examination on the catechism of the previous one.
• Cuatuor Coronati- (lat. Quatuor Coronati) - “Four Crowned” - Research Lodge No. 2076 in the east of the city of London. Named after the legendary four master masons who refused to build a pagan temple during the time of the Roman Emperor Diocletian and were executed for it. She first became known to the profane world after the publication in 1876 of the multi-volume work “Ars Quatuor Coronatorum”.
• Quorum is the required minimum number of members to hold a meeting. In Freemasonry, the quorum is 7 masters with any number of apprentices and apprentices.
• Class lodge- a lodge consisting of representatives of one profession. There are many such lodges in England.
• Key- a symbol of the secret and its keeper, as well as the comprehension of this secret through Masonic search and self-improvement. Emblem of the degree of secret master (4 gr.) DPSHU.
• An oath is a solemn promise before the face of the Lord to tell only the truth. Must be distinguished from obligation.
• Book of Architecture- Book of Grand Lodge Constitutions.
• The Book of the Sacred Law is a sacred book that reveals the will of the Lord. For Christians this is the Bible, for Brahmanists - the Vedas, etc.
• Book of Constitutions- an emblem of the law, meaning that our moral and spiritual image is based on Law and Order, and that no one is able to live life with dignity if he lives lawlessly.
• Book of Constitutions Guarded by the Gatekeeper's Sword- emblem of Masonic caution in words and deeds; a reminder to remain faithful to the law.
• Code of the Order- Book of Laws of the Grand Lodge.
• “Kodesh la Adonai!”- ancient Hebrew "Holy is the Lord!" Royal Arch Motto.
• Collation- a short break (with or without eating).
• Column - (from Latin Columen) - a pillar to support the roof of a building. In Freemasonry, its symbolism mainly concerns the support of the lodge by the three virtues: wisdom, strength and beauty.
• Columns Boaz and Jachin - “Gates for the initiate, exit to the light for the seeker, columns of the Temple of Jerusalem. B:. - Northern column and I:. - southern column. Symbolic columns resemble obelisks covered with hieroglyphs that towered in front of Egyptian temples. They are also found in two rounded portals of Gothic cathedrals.
• Columns of guards- represent the columns of Solomon's Temple. During operation of the stock, these columns are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively; during a break in work they change position. In a more general sense - the brothers of the lodge, sitting along the walls of the room.
• Commander(Grand Commander) - in the Middle Ages, the head of the order of knighthood, in Freemasonry - the highest position in the commandery (Rite of York) and the supreme council (DPSHU).
• Communication- communication to the candidate of the basic principles of the philosophy and ritual of some higher degrees without performing the proper ritual of initiation into each of them.
• Conclave - a general meeting of the “knights of the temple”.
• Convention (Masonic) - an international general meeting of all brothers of the grand lodge of several countries or their representatives, convened to make general strategic decisions on the main issues of Masonic activity.
• Consistory- a meeting of Scottish Rite Freemasons 31° and 32° depending on the jurisdiction.
• Contumation- refusal to obey the decision of a lodge or grand lodge.
• Royal art- one of the names of Freemasonry.
• Foundation stone- a stone laid during the formal ceremony of laying the foundation of a building; a stone connecting two walls at right angles. In Freemasonry, a true Freemason who has laid within himself the foundation of eternal life.
• Baptism(Masonic) - more often called “lustration”, should not be confused with the Christian sacrament. This is a ritual of consecration with water. This ceremony was an important part of ancient initiation ceremonies. Clean hands are a symbol of an unsullied heart.
• Widow's mug- a mug (bag), with which the donor carries all the brothers of the lodge before the closing of work, collecting all possible assistance for brothers in need, as well as the fund itself, created by the brothers of the lodge to help brothers and their families.
• The cube is a perfect stone.

L

M

• M- the letter is a symbol of the degree of master mason, as well as its passing word.
• Mason - (from French. maçon) - builder, mason.
• Freemasonry ancient craftsmanship- the first three, symbolic, degrees: student, journeyman, master mason. In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite these also include degrees 4 to 20, the legends of which are also associated with events reflected in the Old Testament, that is, with the construction of King Solomon's Temple, the story of the life and death of Master Hiram and the search for the lost word .
• Mastery- operational Freemasonry was famous for its highly qualified artisans, their organization was a guild of artisans. Freemasonry consists of masons who excel in their art and are therefore called craftsmanship.
• A trowel is the tool of a master mason. Symbolically, intended to spread the binding cement of brotherly love for the completion of the great edifice of Freemasonry with the cap stone.
• Mother's box- for each Mason, the lodge in which he was initiated into the brotherhood. In a broader sense, for a grand lodge, the grand lodge that established it. Historically, for all the grand lodges of the world, the mother lodges are the grand lodges of England and Scotland.
• Chalk, coal and clay- respectively, freedom, zeal and diligence.
• Memphis-Misraim - (Oriental Rite of Memphis) appeared in 1838 in Brussels, with the establishment of the "Grand Lodge of Osiris" by Jacques Etienne Marconi de Negro. According to legend, this charter was based on the ancient Greek Dionysian and ancient Egyptian mysteries of initiation, which were later brought together by the legendary sage Ormus and thus laid the foundation for the Rosicrucian movement. At first the Eastern Rite of Memphis included 97 degrees of initiation, but this number was later reduced to 33, and the organization itself was renamed the "Ancient Primordial Rite." In 1854-56, MM was brought to America. In 1872 - to England, where he merged with the Eastern Order of the Temple. In 1875, the Order also merged with the statute of Mizraim (from the ancient Hebrew Mizraim - Egypt), one of the few surviving branches of the so-called. Egyptian Freemasonry Cagliostro.
• Metals- symbolically, all metal objects that the candidate for initiation into the degree of student hands over to the expert upon entering the box, firstly, in order not to have weapons of attack or defense with him (since everyone in the box is brothers), and, secondly -secondly, so as not to reveal your material and social status in any way (for all brothers are equal). More specifically, money, jewelry and weapons.
• Multiple Membership- membership in several Masonic organizations of the same type, starting with three.
• Mosaic floor- the floor covering, consisting of alternating white and black cells, symbolizes the interpenetration of light and darkness, good and evil principles in the world.
• A hammer is a Masonic tool, a mason's hammer with the non-working side of the butt narrowed in order to work as a wedge for splitting stone. Distinguished from the simple or straight gavel, which is called hiram and is used only by the presiding officer.
• Monitor- a short collection of basic Masonic rituals, rules, catechisms and documents of the Grand Lodge, a guide for each individual Mason.
• Moratorium- a temporary ban on Masonic work imposed by the Grand Lodge.
• Darkness- a symbol of ignorance in which the candidate remains before the granting of spiritual light, that is, the Light of Truth - true knowledge, which is revealed to him during the initiation rite.
• Wisdom, Strength, Beauty- cardinal virtues, three symbolic columns of the Masonic temple.

N

• Punishments(Masonic) - the punishments mentioned in the ritual are purely symbolic. The only Masonic punishments are indoctrination, temporary expulsion (putting to sleep) and permanent expulsion.
• Drink in the sacred cup- one of the attributes of initiation of a candidate into the degree of student. The candidate's first oath not to divulge the secrets of the order to outsiders is pronounced over the cup. The bitter drink in the cup, drunk by the candidate after taking the oath, symbolizes a degree of doubt in each undertaking.
• Tax « per capita" - an annual payment to the fund of the grand lodge for its expenses, calculated on the basis of the number of members of the subordinate organization.
• Unaffiliated- a Mason initiated into the order, but not belonging to any lodge and therefore temporarily deprived of all the privileges of membership; may be re-affiliated (non-affiliate). Or a Mason who has been expelled from the order, but can be reinstated in it (unaffiliate).
• vault of heaven- symbolic cover of the lodge.
• Irregular Masonic Lodge - a group of people united under the name of the Masonic Lodge and calling themselves Masons, but without the permission of the Grand Lodge ( clandestine). Or a lodge created legally, but continuing its work after the suspension of the charter ( irregular). Or, illegal, a lodge that continues to operate provided its members are aware of the illegality of their work, that is wild (spurious).
• Neophyte- newly initiated.
• Noahite- dedicated to or associated with the biblical patriarch Noah, the name of the 21st degree of the Scottish Rite.

ABOUT

• Obol- a symbolic fee charged by the donor to a brother who apologizes for a brother who is absent from a lodge meeting.
• Ritual leader (or Master of Ceremonies) - the name of an officer position in a Masonic lodge.
• Commitment- prescribed action or order; promise, oath of allegiance, a Mason makes an undertaking (not an oath) that he will not break his promises.
• Dressed properly- wearing white gloves and a cuff, with the talisman of the corresponding degree and position and the emblem of the lodge on the chest.
• Operational (active) Masons- ancient builders and designers of European cathedrals, who were under the protection and provision of the church.
• Identification of Masons- determination of membership in the Order, usually carried out by the gatekeeper, expert and ritual leader before entering the lodge or by the venerable master and the first and second guards in the meeting room itself and consists of their requirement to demonstrate knowledge and mastery of identification marks, steps, conventional handshakes and passing words (passwords ). In addition to the above, the person being identified may be required to know certain historical and philosophical principles, in which case, for identification, lodge officers use a catechism of the appropriate degree.
• The eagle is one of the key symbols of Freemasonry, as well as many world religions and mythological cycles. According to tradition, the only living creature capable of looking at the Sun without blinking. The double-headed eagle is the official symbol of the DPSHU.
• Orientation of the Masonic Temple- according to the ritual, the lodge is located in length - from east to west, in width from north to south, in height from Zenith to Nadir. The traditional location of the temple is that the venerable master of the lodge is located in the east, hence the name of his plateau - east.
• A plumb line is a working tool of a former master; the perfect emblem of inflexibility and integrity. In an operational sense, it is a mason’s tool, an arc, to the top point of which a weight is suspended on a rope, which helps determine the verticality of the stone edges being hewn.
• Mason's leave- exemption of a Mason for a certain period from Masonic duties, except for payment of membership fees, and the position held in the order, while maintaining the opportunity for him to again become an active member of the fraternity. Sometimes called euthanasia.
• Resignation of a Mason- voluntary departure of a Mason on indefinite Masonic leave with termination of payment of membership dues.
• The officers (officials) of the lodge are members of the lodge who perform certain duties both during meetings and between them. In the symbolic lodge there are the following officer positions: venerable master (master of the chair), first and second guards (wardens), orator (vitia), secretary, treasurer, master of ceremonies (master of ceremonies), expert, donor (gracious brother), gatekeeper (in lodges English obedience, the duties assigned to this position are divided between the inner guard and the covering brother (Tyler)), archivist, agapmeister, stewards. The Worshipful Master and Treasurer are elected by all the brethren of the lodge by secret ballot, the others are appointed by the Worshipful Master. In the grand lodge, the officer positions remain the same, but with the addition of the definition of great, for example, the great first guard, etc. In the bodies of the highest degrees, officer positions have different names associated with the mythology and history of the corresponding degrees.

P

• Passwords(passing words) - a necessary and integral part of the ritual and the basis of the organizational structure of the brotherhood. Each degree of initiation has its own password, consisting of a mandatory sacred word and (sometimes) an additional passing word. According to legend, Master Hiram used a password system to ensure that workers involved in the construction of Solomon's Temple received wages depending on their qualifications. The password of a particular degree is given to the Mason by the Worshipful Master during the ceremony of initiation into that degree.
• A patent is a guaranteed privilege, confirmed by a special letter, certificate or diploma. The main one is a patent for Masonic work in a newly organized lodge, which is issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, with the signature of its Grand Secretary.
• The pelican is one of the central Masonic symbols, the emblem of the Rosicrucian degrees of the Scottish Rite (17 - 18°). According to legend, a female pelican, when she has nothing to feed her newborn cubs, tears open her chest in order to feed them her blood.
• Pentagram (pentalpha) - a five-pointed star, the star of Solomon (Magenshalom), the oldest symbol used by the Pythagoreans, the emblem of the journeyman degree. The pentalpha received its name because it is formed by five mutually intersecting letters alpha - A. It symbolizes the unity of the five continents, the unity of the four cardinal directions in the pursuit of the One, man and his spiritual essence, imperfect man overwhelmed by passions, Adam Kadmon, the Star of Bethlehem, etc.
• Chair transfer- installation ceremony of the Venerable Master.
• Re-election of lodge officers- occurs in the symbolic lodge once a year, in the grand lodge - once every three years.
• Gloves (white) are a symbol of purity in the same sense as a white lambskin apron (symbol of a pure heart), being a symbol of clean hands.
• The hourglass is a symbol of passing time.
• Petitioner- the person who signed the petition for admission to the order; he remains a petitioner until he receives a positive vote in the lodge on the issue of his adoption. Then, before initiation, he is called a candidate.
• Flaming Star- a symbol of light and divine guidance on the human journey through life; a symbol of a true Freemason, who, improving in the knowledge of the truth (teachings), himself is likened to a flaming star. In English lodges it symbolizes the Sun, illuminating the Earth, blessing all humanity and giving light and life to all things.
• Flaming Sword- the gatekeeper’s sword is symbolically connected with the sword of the Archangel Michael, guarding the Gates of Paradise. The curved blade resembles a rising flame. Nowadays, gatekeepers' swords are most often straight.
• The plateau is a platform, raised on the floor of the box in the east, where the Worshipful Master is located and in front of the first and second guards. There are usually three steps leading to the Venerable Master's plateau. There are two steps leading to the 1st guard's plateau, and one to the 2nd guard's plateau.
• Agenda- sent to the brother by the master, containing a requirement to appear at the meeting. The prerogative of the Worshipful Master requires the member of the lodge to fulfill his solemn obligation. For failure to appear, a lodge member may be punished according to the misdemeanor.
• Salary increase- promotion of the candidate from one degree to another, subject to success in completing the tasks of the previous degree.
• Bandage(in front of the eyes) - a symbol of mystery, mysterious darkness, darkness of ignorance.
• Journeyman- a craftsman who has “outgrown” the position of a student, accepted as a full member of the guild, but still unworthy of the title of master. The age of the apprentice is maturity.
• Searching for the Lost Word- the search for a Mason comes down to the search for the divine in himself and in the world, which alone can bring him spiritual satisfaction and highest happiness.
• Noon is the time when freelance masons begin their work.
• Midnight is a symbol of death and ignorance, the time of completion of the work of free masons.
• A pledge is an action of a Mason aimed at involving a new brother in the order. A member of the lodge, at its general meeting or privately, informs the Worshipful Master about the candidate he has found for initiation into the fraternity and vouches for him, thus assigning himself the responsibility of monitoring the further Masonic career of the candidate.
• Initiation without ceremony- the prerogative of the Grand Master, which allows one to bypass some provisions of Masonic legislation, usually this is voting in a lodge or initiation into the first and second degrees (that is, the candidate is initiated immediately into the degree of master).
• Visitors to lodge meetings- visiting brothers, members of one lodge attending meetings of another. According to the internal regulations of most lodges, they are usually required to pay a one-time small fee for attending a meeting.
• Adept's Gait- Masonic steps, one of the identifying marks of a Mason of a certain degree, the steps he must use to enter the meeting room.
• Traveling lodges- lodges that do not have a permanent meeting place and receive from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge a special patent for the right to hold meetings and initiate candidates, wherever their members can meet with all or most of the formalities and the necessary conditions for meetings exist.
• Gatekeeper - an officer guarding the entrance to the box.

Gatekeeper's Oath- the oath of a brother-visitor, usually taken before a common catechism examination for all, preceding a visit to another lodge. Usually brought in a special "Gatekeeper's room". In some US jurisdictions this oath is required, in others it is not. Gatekeeper's Toast- a toast song in memory of departed brothers, usually sung by the gatekeeper during agape at 9 pm.

• Adoptive Adoptive Freemasonry is an organization founded in France for the initiation into the order of women related to Freemasons.
• Confession- interaction, friendliness, politeness. Grand Lodges, being independent of one another, nevertheless recognize other Grand Lodges. Simple lodges interacting with other grand lodges or even with their own, respectively, also recognize them. All Lodges and Grand Lodges work together to achieve universal harmony and peace.
• Touch- one of the Masonic identification marks used to determine membership in the order and degree of initiation. Consists of special forms of handshake, different for different degrees.
• Accepted masons- At the beginning of the movement, before the advent of speculative (speculative) Freemasonry, this term denoted those members of masons' lodges who did not make a living by cutting stones and building, but were accepted into the guild or lodge.
• Awakening the Lodge- resumption of work in the box after a break (euthanization).
• A provincial grand lodge is an administrative division of a grand lodge that unites Masonic lodges in a separate territory.
• Provincial Grand Master is the highest Masonic officer position in a provincial grand lodge.
• Protocol (Masonic) - one of the mandatory Masonic documents, the protocol of meetings and sessions of various Masonic bodies.
• Layman- non-Mason. (From the Latin “pro” - “before” and “fanum” - “temple”). In Freemasonry it means: a person who has not received access to the temple, an uninitiated person.
• Passing word- recognition; sign and response to sign; a password signifying the transition from one degree of initiation to another.
• "Past" title- an honorary title conferred by any great Masonic organization. Many famous Freemasons have been awarded this title by organizations outside the jurisdictions to which they belonged. Sometimes a jurisdiction may assign these titles to “its” brothers, but this rarely happens in the United States.

R

• Job(Masonic) - any activity of a Mason or Masonic lodge.
• Differences in rituals- each grand lodge has its own official ritual of work, which is followed by all lodges within a given jurisdiction, so that in all of them the unity of both esoteric and exoteric ritual work is observed. However, there are some differences between the rituals of the various Grand Lodges. Sometimes the rituals of symbolic lodges within the same jurisdiction also differ slightly.
• Taking off shoes- one of the most important rituals of Masonic initiation. The ritual prescribes that the candidate should have no shoes, but also no shoes, and no clothes. Symbolically, it means the helplessness of an ignorant person until the Light of Truth is given to him. It also contains an allusion to the words with which the Lord addressed Moses from the burning bush: take off your sandals from your feet, for the ground on which you stand is holy.
• Regalia- Masonic vestments.
• Lodge register- a book of registration of the presence of lodge brothers at its meetings, where visiting brothers also sign.
• Regulations (statute) of the lodge- a set of general rules and laws of a lodge or grand lodge, adopted simultaneously with its constitution, which cannot contradict it and other Masonic laws and traditions, serving as a guide for all its work.
• Regularization- repeated passage by a Mason belonging to an irregular lodge of the rite of initiation into the order, but already in a regular lodge (often in an abbreviated form), with the goal of equalizing him in rights and responsibilities with the rest of the brothers of the order.
• Regular box- a lodge operating under a charter received from the legitimate Masonic authority.
• Cutter- one of the tools of the Mark Master; symbolizes the benefits of education.
• Ritual - (from Latin ritualis) - “ceremonial”. The main Masonic rituals are the opening and closing of works in the lodge, the initiation of new members and the promotion of candidates to new degrees (increase in wages). In addition, special rituals exist for the opening of new lodges, voting, etc. Separate rituals exist for holding meetings of the grand lodge and bodies of higher degrees.
• Applause- Masonic identification mark. Also sometimes a sign of recognition or approval. It is produced in different ways, depending on the degree and the occasion.
• Chivalric Freemasonry- Freemasonry, which is initiated into commanderies or other Masonic organizations - knightly orders.
• Lever arm- a tool with which masons lifted heavy objects, a symbol of strength. Most often it serves as the name for the sons of Masons who have not yet reached the age of majority and cannot join the order.

WITH

• Light, Sons of Light- an allegorical name for the Freemasons, according to legend, this is what they were called during the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the Temple of King Solomon.
• Saint Andrew is one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, one of the first called after him, hence his name, the First Called. Son of Jonah of Bethsaida. First a disciple of John the Baptist. Hearing his prophecies, he left to look for the Messiah. After the ascension of Christ, he went to preach the word of God to other countries. According to legend, he reached Scythia. He died in Patras, Greece, on a cross in the shape of the letter X. He is especially revered by Freemasons. Unlike the first three, St. John’s degrees of initiation, the highest degrees are called St. Andrew’s.
• Seven-branched candle - seven lights represent the emblems of the seven planets, which, being the eyes of the Lord, contain everything and survey everything. The central branch symbolizes the Sun, or the leader; the rest - three on each side - symbolize the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The Earth itself was not considered a planet, it was only fed by the light of these seven planets. Uranus was discovered only in 1781, and Pluto in 1930
• A symbol means or represents some idea, truth or phenomenon, but is not itself what it represents.
• Symbol of glory- “flaming star”, according to the most ancient researchers. The star represents a symbol of deity, hence it is a “symbol of glory.”
• Word- the search for truth, experience and life achievements, everything that leads us to a better life.
• Broken Column- ancient Jews erected columns in honor of princes and kings; hence the expression “pillar of the church.” In Masonic understanding, a broken column means the fall of one of the leading figures of the Royal Art.
• Perfect stock- a lodge with the number of members provided for by its constitution.
• Perfect entry points- symbolic actions required when entering the lodge premises.
• Perfect stone- Every Mason must improve, or “polish” himself, building up the edifice of his character so as to become worthy in the eyes of God and have the right to take his rightful place in the completed great work of Freemasonry.
• Advice- an administrative body in many Masonic Rites, in the York Rite the degree of council is called the degree of "Royal and Elect Master".
• Mixed Freemasonry is a group of Freemasons consisting of men and women, not recognized by regular Freemasonry.
• Convocation(recall) - a temporary cessation of work of the lodge without formal closure: “Recall from work to rest” - and the subsequent resumption of work.
• The Sun and the Moon are two of the so-called. small lights of the Masonic lodge (the third is the venerable master), the most ancient symbols and personifications of light, in particular, in their unity, the eternal Light, that is, the Light of Truth.
• Forty-seventh position of Euclid(Pythagorean theorem) is indeed the forty-seventh theorem in Euclid's Geometry. The problem, or theorem, proves that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs in a right triangle. In Freemasonry, it is an illustration of the arts and sciences, proving that ignorance is itself a sin. Also the emblem of a former Worshipful Master.
• Speculative (notional) Freemasonry- Freemasonry in its modern sense, applying the knowledge accumulated by operational masons to the study of ethical systems.
• Sleeping bed- a lodge that is not active, but has not surrendered its charter.
• Middle chamber- according to legend, a room in the outer wall of the Temple of King Solomon, in which the craftsmen who participated in the construction of the Temple gathered to solve current issues of their craft. Symbolically, the lodge of the masters.
• Degree - level of membership in Freemasonry. In classical symbolic, or blue, Freemasonry there are three degrees: student, journeyman and master. Each degree corresponds to the spiritual development of the Mason and the level of knowledge he received in Freemasonry. For each degree there is a set of symbols and rituals of Freemasonry peculiar to it, with which it teaches its spiritual values.
• The arch of steel is part of the Masonic ritual act with which Freemasons greet a dignitary, a distinguished guest, a newly elected Grand Master as President, or some other Grand Officer of a Grand Lodge.
• Wandering(circumambulatio) - from lat. “ambulare” - “to walk” and “circum” - “around”; a procession passing around the lodge premises during certain ceremonies, such as the consecration of a Masonic organization, initiation or initiation into further degrees. The ritual of wandering came to us from ancient times, from the rituals of worshiping the Sun; the procession moved around the consecrated place in the direction of the sun, from the east through the south, west and north back to the east.
• Bag of suggestions- usually a bag, sometimes a mug, with which the head of ritual carries the brothers around before closing the work of the lodge. Each Mason has the right to put a note in it outlining his proposals for improving the work in the lodge or in the order in general, if he did not dare to express them during the meeting. The contents of the bag are then examined by the lodge committee and a decision is made accordingly.
• Sons of Light- This is what the masons were called during the construction of the Temple of King Solomon.

T

• A report card is a carpet or other floor covering on which the emblems of a certain degree are depicted for teaching students. Initially, timesheets were drawn on the floor of the meeting hall, and then, after work, they were washed away. Nowadays, in some obediences they are more often called banners and hung on the walls.
• Secret (Cryptic) Freemasonry is Freemasonry, which in the USA is initiated into by the “Council of Royal and Select Masters”.
• Secrets (Masonic) - the secrets of Freemasonry are the identification marks of members of the fraternity, symbolic teachings, the location of meetings, the names of brothers. Its principles, goals and objectives have never been a secret.
• Talismans(official) - emblems worn by officers on ribbons corresponding to their positions.
• Tetragrammaton - (Greek “four letters”). This is how Talmudists call the four letters of the name of the Most High, or Jehovah.
• Exactly from East to West- Moses positioned the Tabernacle exactly from east to west, and this tradition was continued by the builders of church buildings. A Mason sets out on a journey from West to East in search of a master from whom he will receive much-needed instruction, or light.
• Funeral bed(See Lodge of Sorrow) - a special meeting of the lodge dedicated to farewell to a deceased brother, that is, one who has departed to the eternal east.
• Three strikes- symbolize the trials that a person undergoes in youth, maturity and old age, or the destruction caused by tyranny, prejudice and ignorance.
• Tubal-Cain is the first master, the son of Lamech and Zillah. He was a forger of all tools made of copper and iron. According to legend, it was he who initiated Master Hiram into the mysteries of the royal art during a failed attempt on the latter’s life, when he almost drowned in the molten copper sea that spilled across the vestibule of the temple.

U

• Box decoration- mosaic floor, corner cage and “flaming star”.
• Lodge decorations- A book of sacred law, a compass and a square, a charter for work or a special decision.
• Beehive - symbolizes orderly, systematic work. What one person cannot do is easy to do if everyone works together.
• Charters (Masonic) - administrative and symbolic organizations of Masonic degrees, usually the highest.
• Putting to sleep a lodge, a mason- temporary deprivation of a Mason or lodge of the privileges granted by membership in the order for any offense or at his own request. It should be distinguished from renunciation from the order and Masonic leave.
• Student(apprentice) - from the Latin word “apprehendere” - “to assimilate, master something.” In operational Freemasonry the apprenticeship lasted seven years; then, if the student was considered successful in his studies, his name was entered in the register of the lodge, and he took a certain place in the structure of the guild.

F

• State flag in box- a necessary attribute of holding meetings. Reflects the order's loyalty to the legally elected government.
• Donation fund- a fund of voluntary donations from brothers of the lodge, existing parallel to the fund of the treasurer of the lodge. The fund's funds are mainly used to help brothers and members of their families.
• Stock shape- a rectangle or parallelogram, twice as long as it is wide. At the time of the Temple, for the peoples of antiquity, the visible world was limited to the Mediterranean. The countries of the Old World were located in a rectangle around the sea; thus the Masonic lodge represents the whole world.
• Freemasonry of Atholl- sometimes this obedience is called "Ancient" Freemasonry, the head of which was the third of the four Dukes of Atholl.

X

• Charter - a lodge that has received a charter for work from the Grand Lodge enjoys all rights and has the right to representation in the Grand Lodge.
• Hiram Abiff is a skilled craftsman, the son of a widow, according to one version, from the tribe of Naphtali, according to another, from Dan, who made copper and iron decorations for the Solomon Temple, the most important of which were the two columns of the temple portico. Masonic legends surround Master Hiram with an aura of semi-divine glory, calling him the main builder and architect of the Temple, who was treacherously killed by three apprentices for refusing to give the master’s password, which opened up the opportunity for them to receive higher wages.
• Hiram King of Tire- ruler of the lands adjacent to Israel. A close friend and ally of King Solomon, who concluded several peace and trade agreements with him. He supplied timber for the construction of Solomon's Temple, for which he received 20 cities in Galilee from King Solomon. Also, together with King Solomon, he undertook a sea expedition to Ophir for gold, to the legendary mines of King Solomon.
• Masonic Temple is a term commonly used in Freemasonry with multiple but related meanings. It is used to describe the abstract spiritual purpose, the conceptual ritual space created by the workings of a Masonic lodge, and the physically existing rooms and structures in which the members of the lodge meet. When used to describe a structure, the term is interchangeable with the term Masonic hall.
• Lodge emblem- a symbolic seal, an ornament adopted by a symbolic lodge, worn by its brothers in the form of neck or chest medals, and also decorating all documents of the lodge.
• Sketch- the same as architectural work, a Masonic work of a brother, dedicated to any problem in history, philosophy, symbolism of Freemasonry, etc., read out by him at a general meeting of brothers. Instead of students who do not have the right to vote in an open box, their work is read out by one of the masters, most often the second guard.

I

• Lamb(lamb) - “In all centuries, the lamb has been considered an emblem of innocence.” Therefore, the candidate is given a lambskin cufflink.

Easter lamb- a sacred lamb sacrificed by Jews during the celebration of Passover (Passover, Exodus). Also a Christian and Masonic symbol of Christ.

• Anchor and ark- a symbol of a sense of security and constancy, when our life is based on truth and faith, without which there can be neither happiness nor peace of mind. Hence, the emblem of “a hope well founded and a life well spent.”
• Jahbulon is a word that is historically used in some Royal Arch Masonic rituals.
• Ebony box- a symbol of the heart, used in several degrees, revealing the secret plans and motives of the heart, prompting a person to one way or another build the building of his spiritual temple.

Other terms

• A.&A.S.R.(Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite) - Ancient and accepted Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction).
• A.A.S.R.(Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite) - Ancient and accepted Scottish Rite (Northern Jurisdiction).
• A.A.O.N.M.S.(Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) - Ancient Arabic order of nobles of the secret sanctuary.
• A.E.O.N.M.S.(Ancient Egyptian Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) - Ancient Egyptian order of nobles of the secret sanctuary (“Prince Hall Shrine”).
• A.F. & A.M.(Ancient Free and Accepted Masons) - There are no obvious differences between this obedience and F. & A. M. (Free and Accepted Masons) - or A. F. M. (Ancient Free Masons) . Some Grand Lodges use the first abbreviation, others use the second. The second is used, for example, by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. The distinction can be traced back to the time of the great schism in England, which led to the formation of two English Grand Lodges, the "Ancient" and the "Modern".
• Anno Benefacio(A. B.) - lat. “Year of Blessing”, a year in the chronology of the Order of High Priests (year + 1930).
• Anno Depositionis(A. Dep.) - lat. “Year of the Code”, a year in the chronology of the secret (Cryptic) Masons (year + 1000).
• Anno Domini(A.D.) - lat. “Year of the Lord”, a year in the usual calendar of our era.
• Anno Inventionis(A.I.) - lat. “Foundation year”, year in the Royal Arch calendar (year + 530).
• Anno Lucis(A. L.) - lat. “Year of Light”, a year in the chronology of Freemasonry of ancient art (year + 4000).
• Anno Mundi(A.M.) - lat. "Year of Peace", year in the Scottish Rite calendar (year + 3760 before September 1 or year + 3761 after September 1).
• Anno Ordinis(A.O.) - lat. “Year of the Order”, a year in the chronology of the knights of the Order of the Temple - the Templars (year - 1118). The princes of the sun - who do not recognize time - put 7 crosses instead of the date:<ХХХ Х ХХХ>.
• Audi. Vidi. Tace.- lat. “Hear, see and be silent.” Inscription on many Masonic medals and documents.
• A.Y.M.(Ancient York Masonry) - Ancient York Freemasonry.
• Dominus Deus Meus- lat. "Oh my God!"
• "G"- The letter "G" is a Germanic transliteration of the Hebrew letter "yod" and the Greek "tau", the first letters of the name of the all-eternal in these languages. It means not only “God” (God), but also “Geometry”, since this science is incredibly important for Freemasons.
• I.H.S.- lat. "Iesu Hominum Salvator", that is, "Jesus, the savior of men."
• "In Hoc Signo Vinces"- lat. “With this (sign) you will win,” is the motto of the Templar command. According to legend, this motto, inscribed on the cross, appeared in a prophetic dream to Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus before the decisive battle. Having adopted Christianity, the emperor won.
• I.N.R.I.- lat. “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaеorum” - “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
• Lux e tenebris.- lat. "Light from darkness."
• Ne plus ultra- the highest achievement, the highest degree of quality.
Masonic graves in the Donskoy Monastery.

In many historical documents that have survived to this day, there is evidence that the Masonic Order is a kind of successor to the secret organization of the Templars, which was almost completely destroyed in 1312 by the French king Philip IV the Fair.

Who are they?

The Order of Masons, or Free Masons, is not a public organization with any religious inclination. Some researchers believe that they secretly influence the activities of economic and political elites, and therefore secretly control our planet. In addition, it is believed that members of the Order are in the highest circles of power in all the leading countries of the world, since they sometimes manage to coordinate and find a common language even on the most intractable issues. Also, Freemasons are often identified with the large financial elite, which controls all areas of investment banking.

The Order, like many other organizations, has its own hierarchy. The highest level are the Grand Lodges, which have lower-level branches, and they, in turn, are divided according to geographical characteristics. As for the role of the Freemasons in governing the planet, skeptics tend to consider their influence greatly exaggerated, and many of the statements are unfounded.

Their goals

Researchers are inclined to believe that the original meaning of the Freemasons’ activities was to change the world for the better, that is, they wanted to make it more perfect so that everyone living on earth would feel happy. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to change the entire society and each person individually. But when Adolphe Cremieux became the head of Freemasonry in 1870, the policy of the Order changed radically. A certain program was developed aimed at establishing the dominance of the members of this secret society over the entire world. Some researchers are confident that the First and Second World Wars were planned by the Freemasons. But as can be seen from history, the final goal has not yet been achieved either peacefully or militarily.

From the very beginning, members of the Masonic Order tried to understand how to influence the world, and finally came to the conclusion that it was immediately impossible to forcibly change society and force every person to behave differently, guided by different values. To do this, it will be necessary to influence the consciousness of each individual individual, and, according to psychologists, this can only become possible in the case of gradual re-education.

This method requires a lot of time, since more than one generation of people must change before the necessary values ​​become the norm of social life. It is believed that members of the Order have come up with the fastest method of influencing the desires and thoughts of people through specially designed secret symbols of the Masons.

Basic signs and their meaning

Today there are a large number of symbols that are associated with the Order of Freemasons. It is simply impossible to describe everything in one article. Therefore, we will consider only the main symbols of the Masons and their meaning.

The Radiant Delta, or All-Seeing Eye, is one of the most famous signs of the Order. Most experts believe that this symbol has nothing to do with total control. On the contrary, he is the personification of the wisdom and truth that the student acquires, as well as the victory of good over evil. The reason that contributed to the fact that the All-Seeing Eye began to be perceived as a symbol of total control was its placement on coins and banknotes of many countries around the world.

The fact is that almost from the very beginning the Freemasons were surrounded by a certain aura of mystery, so many people wanted to become members of their Order. Some of them were very rich, and as you know, no organization refuses good funding. Therefore, not only architects and masons, but also those who had considerable money and great power began to be accepted into the ranks of the Freemasons. Thus, monarchs, lords, nobles, bank owners and large entrepreneurs appeared in the Order. A little later, they began to place the symbols of the Freemasons (there is a photo in the review) - the All-Seeing Eye and others - directly on banknotes, buildings that they built, and on a large number of other objects, thereby showing their power and might.

The square and compass are a sign that is interpreted differently depending on the stock. Most often it is associated with heaven and earth. Sometimes it is supplemented with the letter G, denoting God or geometry (from the English word Geometry). The relative position of the square and compass is important in all kinds of rites and ceremonies.

Depending on the lodges, the Masonic symbols may have some differences from each other. For example, instead of the letter G, a cross and a rose are depicted. This means that this symbol belongs to the Rosicrucian Order - one of the Masonic branches, which, unlike the Illuminati, did not become the object of persecution by society and the church.

The Book of the Sacred Law is a symbol depicting an open folio with a square and compass superimposed on it. This is not necessarily the Bible, as many may think, but the main scripture of those beliefs professed by members of a particular lodge. Presumably it was introduced with the aim of maintaining good relations with all religious denominations that have a fairly large influence in the world.

Various Freemason Symbols and Their Meanings

● The two pillars, called Jachin and Boaz, are a pair of brass or copper pillars that once stood in the city of Jerusalem, in Solomon's temple. They symbolize creation and destruction, or Earth and Space.

● The steps located between the columns are tests and purification by certain elements during initiation into the Masons.

● Mosaic floor with alternating black and white checkerboards. So this symbol denotes the area of ​​human feelings that are balanced with amazing accuracy: good and evil, grief and joy, etc.

● Three rings are a sign of the trinity of religions - antiquity, Judaism and Christianity.

● Pearls and shell are symbols of self-development. The Masons believed that a person in this world is just a grain of sand, which must independently turn into a pearl.

● Chimeras are the personification of an impossible dream that you must strive for with all your heart.

● The acacia branch symbolizes immortality.

Cross marks

Very important were the symbols of the Freemasons, which were made in the form of crosses. These include Kabbalistic, or trefoil, equilateral, Roman, or Greek, swastika, or gammed (all variants), six-pointed, Tau cross and others in combination with a triangle, five-pointed or six-pointed stars and a snake.

The sign belonging to the Rosicrucian Order looks very unusual. It represents a Tau cross with a snake nailed to it. This symbol signifies the dark side of a person, which is destined to die if the spirit is able to fulfill its destiny. Another sign of the Order - the cross and the rose - personify, respectively, the fire of earthly suffering and the divine light of the Universe, as well as the male and female principles.

Masons in Russia

According to legend, the first representative of this organization on Russian soil was Tsar Peter I the Great, who went to England with the Grand Embassy in 1699. It is believed that it was there that he received initiation from Christopher Wren, but there is no such information in any of the documents. But nevertheless, this seems to be true, given that the founder of St. Petersburg was not indifferent to all new-fangled Western trends, and Freemasonry, as is known, was based on humanistic principles and enlightenment.

According to documents, the first representatives and symbols of the Freemasons in Russia appeared in the 30s of the 18th century. At first, the organizations were headed by foreigners, but already in 1750 a lodge was operating in St. Petersburg, led by Count Vorontsov. By the end of the century, several Masonic societies, consisting mainly of guards officers, already existed in the capital of the Russian state. At that time, the lodges “Happy Consent”, “Silence” and “Consistency” were known. It should be noted that the government always felt some kind of threat, and therefore tried to control the Freemasons in one way or another.

The heyday of the Russian secret society dates back to the 1770s, when the historian, poet and statesman I. P. Elagin became the master of the Grand Lodge in St. Petersburg. Before him, Masons were engaged in traditional rituals for such organizations, minor charity, spent time in empty disputes, and the meetings themselves often ended in feasts. Elagin introduced a more strict procedure for the work of the lodges, since by that time he was a fairly experienced Freemason, an adherent of the Swedish system and a passionate admirer of Cagliostro. Under his leadership, there were 14 lodges, which consisted of about 400 initiates. A little later, he became the owner of the entire island, where the Central Park of Culture and Culture named after them is now located. Kirov.

Secret signs in the Northern capital

The symbols of the Freemasons in St. Petersburg can be found even just walking around the city. Perhaps the most famous building with a clear sign of a secret society is the Kazan Cathedral. Many guests and residents of the city are immediately struck by the obvious discrepancy between the impressive size of the mystical symbol, which is located on the pediment of the building, and the Orthodox cathedral. Above the entrance is a sign known as the "All Seeing Eye". It can be found on all porticos: on two it is carved from Pudost stone, and on one it is gilded.

The Kazan Cathedral was built during the heyday of Freemasonry in Russia (1801-1811). The connection between the temple and the secret society is also evidenced by the fact that at its origins stood the well-known Count Alexander Stroganov with his former serf Andrei Voronikhin, who also shared the views of the Freemasons. By the way, under Emperor Alexander I, the All-Seeing Eye symbol was used as a design element in the manufacture of orders and medals that were awarded to heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.

As you can see, the symbols of the Freemasons are present in many places in the architecture of St. Petersburg. The pediment of the Trinity Cathedral (Alexandro-Nevsky Lavra) is also decorated with a mystical sign with rays diverging in all directions. In addition, Sampsonievskaya Church in its external decoration also has signs of a secret society.

There are many legends about the Stroganov Palace - a truly luxurious building belonging to the Russian Baroque. Its author was the famous architect Rastrelli. This building in the shape of the letter “L”, located on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Moika, was erected in 1753. After a fire, which almost completely destroyed the original decoration, Stroganov architect Andrei Voronikhin was involved in its restoration.

According to legend, the symbols of the Freemasons decorated the entire interior of the palace. Even the sequence of location of the state halls, as well as private chambers, represented the ritual path of secret Masonic initiations. As for the patterns on the trellises, they consisted entirely of emblems personifying spiritual ascent. It is believed that in this house the freemason A. S. Stroganov, the son of the owner of the palace, held multiple meetings of his lodge. It is assumed that these events took place in the Egyptian (Physics) office, from the windows of which a beautiful view of the Kazan Cathedral opens. Even in our time, among the wall paintings of the Stroganov Palace you can find symbols of the Freemasons - crossed keys and a pomegranate flower.

Secret signs in the heart of the country

Some symbols of the Freemasons in the architecture of Moscow are quite well preserved and have survived to this day. It is worth noting that there is still a functioning lodge in the capital. One of the most common symbols is the cornucopia. It was in this form that the architect Bazhenov planned his last building - the Yushkov House, which currently houses the Russian Academy of Sculpture, Painting and Architecture. At one time, Masons often gathered here to perform their secret rites. Later, in this house, the publisher Novikov, who was also a member of the Order, organized a reading room where people could come, regardless of their origin.

Symbols of Freemasons in Moscow are found quite often. For example, Pashkov's house. This is perhaps the most famous Masonic building in the city. It is believed that it was from the roof of this house that the heroes of M. Bulgakov’s once banned work “The Master and Margarita”, Azazello and Woland, admired Moscow. In the last century, Masonic meetings were held within the walls of this building. It is relatively easy to discover secret symbols on it: salamanders and chimeras, plumb line and compass, acacia branches and pearls.

On the buildings where Masonic meetings took place, there are many symbols left by the Free Masons. Such buildings include the Menshikov Tower, the temple of the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” a museum dedicated to the work of A. S. Pushkin, the Sklifosovsky Institute and others.

Secret signs in Sochi

Whether they were at the Olympic Games or not, some not only foreign but also Russian media still saw a connection with the Order of Freemasons in some events. First of all, this concerns the unopened ring, symbolizing America. No one expected that this event would cause such a huge scandal.

Some argued that this was done deliberately and to please the company that sponsored this sports event. Others saw similarities with some kind of ritual procedure where Masonic symbols were used. At the Sochi Olympics there was another incident that surprised many people. The fact is that during the closing ceremony of the games, Valery Gergiev, who conducted the children’s choir, quite distinctly and clearly pointed with his hand at one of the Masonic signs - the so-called “goat”, which looked like an index finger and little finger raised up with a clenched fist.

Signs on money

If you carefully examine the reverse side of the American banknote, you can find the symbols of the Freemasons on it. There are several of them on the dollar, but it cannot be said with absolute certainty that these signs belong specifically to this Order.

● All-seeing eye. It is undeniable that this symbol is directly related to Freemasonry. But one cannot help but note the fact that Christians, Buddhists and Hindus had a very similar sign.

● Pyramid. Her image is used not only by members of the secret society in question, but also by other organizations.

● The constant presence of the number 13, which has long been considered Masonic. For example, it corresponds to the number of steps of the pyramid depicted on the banknote, the number of olives and leaves, as well as the number of arrows in the eagle’s claws. In addition, if you count the stripes on the shield and the stars above the bird, then there will also be 13 of them. Moreover, the phrases Annuit coeptis and E pluribus Unum have the same number of letters. But there is a reasonable explanation for this - at first America had only 13 states, so this fact may be just a coincidence.

● At the base of the pyramid there is an encrypted inscription MDCCLXXVI, indicating the number 1976. This date is the year of the emergence of the secret Order of the Illuminati, but at the same time the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States took place.

● If you take and draw a Star of David around the pyramid, the word Mason is formed. This is a coincidence that is quite difficult to explain.

There are other patterns, either, or coincidences with other secret signs. But they are not only found on dollar bills. Masonic symbols on money can be found everywhere. They could be seen both on Russian royal coins and on modern Ukrainian banknotes - the All-Seeing Eye is depicted on the 500 hryvnia banknote.

Today we can say with confidence that the symbols of the Freemasons (we presented the photo in the article), which were developed a very long time ago and were expressed in certain rituals, not only have not been lost over the past centuries, but their role is still preserved and has a huge impact on modern world.

All-seeing eye, or radiant delta- a Masonic symbol symbolizing the Great Architect of the Universe, observing the works of free masons. Depicted as an eye inscribed in a triangle.

Story

The first official mention of the radiant delta as a Masonic symbol dates back to 1772 and is found in the work of William Preston (1742-1818) Illustrations of Freemasonry.

Description

The radiant delta is one of the symbols of Masonic symbolism. It is located in the east of each lodge during ritual work, where it burns above the presiding venerable master. The radiant delta appears in the disciple degree in the form of an all-seeing eye inscribed in a triangle. The triangle is a sign of fire and enlightenment, and is also interpreted as the Trinity in Christianity. In this case, the triangle is understood as a reference to the number three in Masonic numerology. Sometimes the All-Seeing Eye is depicted with a halo around the eye, and the rays emanating from it extend downward.

The open eye symbolizes hidden truth, calls for wisdom and appeals to conscience. It symbolizes the root cause of all things, personifies perfect good and victory over evil. Masonic lodges, where almost all members are Christian, use the Gospel of John to draw attention to the controversial concept of the Logos, which is identified with the Great Architect of the Universe and is primarily the rational principle of the universe. Sometimes the eye is replaced by the letter "G", the interpretation of which may differ in different degrees.

The symbol can be found in the decor of every Masonic lodge, on Masonic documents and in vestments.

Book of the Sacred Law (KSZ) is part of the Masonic religious or philosophical texts used during Masonic lodge meetings.

Meaning

In English-speaking countries, the King James Version or other standard translation of the Bible is most commonly used. If lodges are composed of brothers who are not Christians, other texts may be used, and lodges with brothers of different religions often use more than one sacred text. Each candidate makes a solemn pledge on the sacred text of his religion in accordance with his beliefs.

One of the most notable individual KZZs is George Washington's Inaugural Bible. She belongs to the lodge "St. John" No. 1 in New York and has been used at its meetings since 1767. It is also famous because it was this Bible that was used at George Washington's first inauguration. It was also used (sometimes along with other Bibles) at the inaugurations of Presidents Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower, George H. W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter.

Gallery

What is a Masonic sign or symbol?

The most famous two Masonic signs and symbols are a triangle crossed with a symbol and an all-seeing eye in a triangle, meaning the trinity of things. In fact, the art of the “Korovlev arch” or speculative Freemasonry (speculative not in the sense of selling Chinese shoes at the market:), but in the sense that Freemasons (literally translated - masons) have not been engaged in paving streets, building temples and cutting stones for a long time. Freemasonry is based on the idea of ​​self-improvement and self-knowledge - the main tool of which is the interpretation of symbols. A symbol in Freemasonry is an instrument of direct knowledge of the truth, because as the ancients said, “the spoken word is a lie...” There are many symbols in Freemasonry, for example, the apron that Masons wear, various construction tools - a level that characterizes horizontality and calmness, a plumb line - which characterizes vertical and straight. In fact, these concepts are primitive interpretations. For example, a whole book could be written about the meaning of a level.
One of the types of symbolic arts in Freemasonry is alchemy, and once the Worthy Master of the Grand Lodge, Sir Isaac Newton, devoted a lot of time to the study of this science and wrote many books. Do you really think that the author of classical mechanics, classical optics, differential integral calculus, was really looking for ways to turn lead into gold? It was just a mind game...
Of course, ritual is very important in Freemasonry and along with it traditional symbols, such as processed stone and unprocessed stone, but this is rather a tribute to respect for tradition. Believe me, modern Masons discuss with no less fervor the form of the Chinese hieroglyph “Tao” (which means the path) or the modern esoteric-symbolic science of synarchy than traditional Masons discussed the cosmic meaning of the three architectural orders - Ionic, Corinthian and Doric. Freemasonry is actually more serious than it seems...

Nothing to do

On the Dissident website. ru, where various opposition media are collected at the very bottom, the very last line: Novus Ordo Seclorum © 1729
Unobtrusive and completely inconspicuous.
http://rudissident.blogspot.ru/