The letter "G" is one of the most sacred symbols in
Freemasonry. The Lodge cannot open, and no work can be performed
unless this sacred letter is conspicuously seen in its regularly
assigned place of honor in the Lodge hall. It has a double meaning,
representing, first, the Supreme Deity as the Great Architect
of the Universe and the one true and living God of all Masons;
and, secondly, the pre-eminence of the science of geometry in
the rituals of Freemasonry. In this twofold symbolism, the letter
"G" represents to the Mason unity of Heaven with the
earth, of the Divine Being with the human, of the temporal with
the eternal, and of the finite with the infinite.
Gates of the Temple
The Temple of Solomon had only one entrance or portal, but the
walls of the enclosure had a gate at each points of the compass.
Freemasonry makes special symbolic use of three of these gates,
the one on the east, the one on the west, and the one on the south.
These gates are symbols of the progress of the sum, rising in
the east, reaching its zenith in the south, and setting in the
west. They also symbolize birth, life, and death as well as youth,
manhood and old age.
Glory and Beauty of the Day
Daylight has many beauties, many advantages, and many blessings;
but its supreme glory is in marvelous utterances of the goodness
and glory of God.
Golden Bowl Be Broken
This sublime and unique rule of conduct in man's relation to and
treatment of his fellow man spoken by the Saviour has been adopted
by Freemasons, and it is used with its full significance in all
the ramifications of human actions.
Grasshopper Shall Be A Burden
This expression is a figure of the weakness accompanying old age.
Great Porch
This was the name give to the vestibule at the entrance into the
Temple of Solomon.
Great and Sacred Name
Any name that is used as a title of Deity is held sacred by Freemasons,
and all names of our God are to be uttered with profound reverence
and never thoughtlessly or blasphemously.
Great White Throne
This term refers to the pure and glorious throne of God. Before
it, every knee must bow and every tongue confess that Christ is
God to the Glory of the Father.
Ground Floor of the Lodge
Mount Moriah, the site on which Solomon's Temple was erected,
is symbolically referred to as the "ground floor of the Lodge."
Harodim
This was the title given to the overseers and princes appointed
by Solomon to supervise the workmen in the preparation of the
material and in the building of the Temple.
Heaven
A distinctive tenet of Freemasonry is that there is a Heaven of
bliss beyond the grave. The symbolic meaning of the "foreign
country" in which the Master Mason seeks wages is Heaven,
the higher state of man's existence after death and following
the Resurrection.
Hills and Valleys
In ancient times, and even today, high elevations suggest the
worship of God. The hilltop or mountaintop is a symbol of "Holiness
unto the Lord."
Holiness
Throughout Masonic ritual, the absolute and superlative Holiness
of God is recognized, and every representation of the Deity in
symbols, attitudes and words must be in the most reverent manner.
Holy of Holies
The ancient Tabernacle erected by Moses at Mount Sinai was divided
into two compartments or rooms. At the west end was the Most Holy
Place constructed of a perfect cube fifteen feet in all dimensions.
It was separated from the other room, the Holy Place, by curtains.
The only article of furniture in the Holy of Holies was the Ark
of the Covenant which contained the Book of Law, the stone tablets
on which God had written the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna
and Aaron's rod that budded. The Most Holy Place was entered only
by a high priest once each year on the Great Day of Atonement.
Like the Tabernacle, King Solomon's Temple was divided into two
compartments. The Most Holy Place was a perfect cube forty feet
in all its dimensions. All the walls were overlaid with fine gold
as was the floor. Again, the only article of furniture was the
Ark of the Covenant.
Holy Place
One of the two compartments of the Tabernacle of Moses was the
Holy Place or Sanctuary at the east end of the Tabernacle. The
furniture of the Holy Place consisted of the great Candlestick,
the table for shewbread and the altar of incense with its censer
and snuffers. In King Solomon's Temple, the Holy Place, sometimes
referred to as the Greater House, followed the pattern of the
Tabernacle, but was much larger. Instead of one candlestick, there
were ten: five on the right side and five on the left, all made
of pure gold. The Altar of Incense occupied the west end of the
Sanctuary and was also made of pure gold, as was it censer.
House Not Made With Hands
This expression comprehends the eternal dwelling place of God
and the resurrected and glorified body of the redeemed in the
life beyond.
Human Senses
There is here the recognition of the truth that all the natural
faculties and endowments of man are the products of the creative
energy of God and are loving gifts from Him.
I Am That I Am
This is the English translation of the most distinctive and significant
title of Jehovah God given to Moses at the burning bush. In its
original Hebrew form, it was regarded with such sacredness by
the Israelites that it was never spoken above a whisper. It signifies
the "self-existent, independent, unsearchable One."
Immortality
Much of the ritual in Freemasonry assumes the doctrine of man's
immortality, and in many specific instances, professions of this
fundamental tenet are uttered.
Indwelling of God
That God deigns to dwell among his people and with the hearts
of the pure and the good is a fundamental truth to Masons.
Ineffable Name
It is generally agreed among the Believers that the correct pronunciation
of the most sacred name of God has been lost, and to this traditional
fact Masons assent. In it believed, however, that the mysteries
of this Ineffable Name is held by the Messiah until the Day of
Resurrection.
Inner Door
Just as the mysteries of God's truth are available to those who
earnestly knock, so admittance to the lessons of Freemasonry are
opened by the proper knock at the Inner Door of the Lodge.
Innocence
From time immemorial, the lamb has been regarded as an emblem
of innocence. Since Masons are required to strive after perfect
innocence, especially in the Masonic conduct, the apron worn by
them must be made of pure white lambskin.
Interment
The grave is the natural resting place for the bodies of the dead,
but it is not the final abode of these bodies. We honor our dead
in interment, but we await their Resurrection.
Iron Tools
In order that perfect quiet and reverence might prevail in the
building of the Temple, no iron tool of any kind was employed,
and
Jachin - He doth establish
The two great pillars of Solomon's Temple supporting the Great
Porch, known as Solomon's Porch, were called Boaz and Jachin.
Jachin is a combination of two words, Jah, the poetical name of
Jehovah, and iachin, meaning establishment. The full significance
of the name is, therefore, "With God's help to establish,"
the symbolical meaning given to in the work of Freemasonry.
Jacob's Ladder
The story of Jacob's dream or vision is which he saw a stairway
leading from earth to Heaven and angels descending and ascending
on it holds an important place in Masonic ritual. It is employed
as a symbol of the progressive course from earth to Heaven, and
of the transition from death to life.
Jah
The poetical name of Jehovah.
Jesus and the Temple
The parents of Jesus carried him to the Temple when he was only
forty days old for purification ceremonies. At the age of twelve,
he attended the Passover in Jerusalem and visited the Temple.
After beginning his public ministry, he honored the Temple on
a number of occasions, cleansed it twice, taught the people, performed
miracles within its sacred precincts, and otherwise recognized
it as the House of God, even though it was being greatly profaned.
Judah - praised
Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and the founder of the tribe bearing
his name, is also the representative of a key point in ancient
Masonry. Judah distinguished himself on a number of occasions
and was given Messianic distinction in the tribal blessings of
his father and by Moses. The royal house of Israel was of the
tribe of Judah, even as was Jesus the Messiah. The tribe of Judah
was the first to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.
For this reason, and because of its distinction as the tribe of
David, Solomon and the Messiah, Judah represents or symbolizes
the entrance of the candidate into the Light and liberty of Freemasonry.
Keepers of the House Shall Tremble
This expression is a figure of the failings of the body in old
age or as weakened by the approach of death. The usual interpretation
is that the arms and legs are the keepers.
Landmark
In ancient times, it was customary to mark the boundaries of lands
by the means of stone pillars or heaps of stones. The removal
of such landmarks was a grievous crime and an evidence of fraudulent
intent by the offender. In speculative Masonry there are also
landmarks, and the same rigid rule with reference to ancient landmarks
applies to these.
Level of Equality
The level in Masonry is a symbol of the fraternal equality of
mankind as the offspring of God, all races and nations having
been made of one blood. The fundamental principle that all men
are created equal, with certain inalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness is basic in Freemasonry.
Light
Throughout the ritual and work of Freemasonry, Light is the symbol
of knowledge, and just as God spoke into existence physical light,
so He is the original source of all true knowledge. The Great
Light of Masonry is His inspired work. Masons are pledged to strive
after more and more Light as life goes on and should seek above
all things Light Eternal.
Light of Life
The source of enlightenment and knowledge for life's darkness,
perplexities and doubts, as well as for life's responsibilities
and duties, is the Holy Bible -- the Great Light of Masonry.
Lily Work
The lily has always been an emblem of peace and purity. For this
reason, lily work occupied a place of conspicuousness and distinction
in the ornamentations of the Temple and its furniture.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
In the tribal benediction pronounced upon Judah, the "lion's
whelp" is used emblematically of strength. Hence, the ensign
on the banner of Judah was a lion. The phrase in the Masonic ritual,
"The lion of the tribe of Judah," is Messianic and refers
to Christ, the anointed of God and royal head of God's Kingdom.
Lodge
Two or more Freemasons, "in regular assembly and properly
opened and prepared for work or business," constitutes the
Lodge.
Lost Word
The lost word was the ineffable name of God, but the term is used
symbolically of Divine Truth.
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© 1998. Missouri Masonic Lodge of Research All rights reserved.