posted on Feb, 24 2008 @ 06:18 PM
There is a prevalent tendency to attribute certain symbolic emblems or figures appearing publicly as having ‘Masonic’ connotations which may in
fact have origins that predate Modern Speculative Masonry by hundreds, if not thousands, of years. While this belief is understandable in some
regards, as an individual may, through prior incorrect information, have been educated to believe such is the case, it is most often incorrect.
Additionally, having never viewed the symbol or emblem previously and seeing it used in what they believe is a ‘Masonic’ context, many
inadvertently proclaim its Masonic pedigree. Careful and thorough research will demonstrate that almost all of the emblems and symbols attributed to
Masons were first used by another culture or group and in some instances, by several, or have no Masonic meaning or usage what so ever.
The Five-Pointed Star
The Five-Pointed Star is one of the most ancient of symbols and can trace its origins to The Druze, whose ancestors were exiles of Egypt, and use this
symbol with points colored green, blue, red, white and yellow. This emblem is often times confused with a pentagram which requires its collinear edges
to be continuous. When depicted as such it carries much in the way of mystical and magical connotations.
Its contemporary use sees it deployed vexillogically on the flags and heralds of many nations including the United States, China, New Zealand and
Turkey. The nations of Morocco and Ethiopia actually use a pentagram has a heraldic device, the only two instances of such. This symbol does not
appear at all in any Masonic ritual and only, depending upon the jurisdiction, occasionally refers to the five points of fellowship. It is however
displayed prominently in The Order of the Eastern Star, a sorority affiliated with Masonry, to depict the Eastern Star which was said to have guided
the Three Wisemen to the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Nazareth.
One of the most misconstrued emblems regarding Masonry is the obelisk. While Egyptian in origins its usage can be detected in numerous applications.
Its prevalence in modern society can be directly attributed to Napoleon I and his Egyptian expedition and the respective excitement that was generated
by this journey. This lead to a renewed interest to all things ancient and produced a general sentiment of the time to recapture the glories and
cultures of past great societies. The resultant curiosity caused obelisks to be erected in varied situations, from cemetery markers to monuments
commemorating battles or soldiers (cenotaphs) and even the use of miniature obelisks as home decorations. While Masons may or may not have been
involved with the dedication of certain obelisk-Cleopatra’s needle for one-it does not inherently make the object Masonic.
In Masonic ritual and ceremony the obelisk makes one brief and rather unnoteworthy appearance. In the Scottish rite, an appendant degree, it is used
in reference to the depositing of Hiram Abiff’s mortal remains. There are instances of the obelisk arising in the rituals of The Memphis Rite and
Ordo Templi Orientis but these are unrecognized organizations and can not be considered sources for Masonic custom and practices.
The All-Seeing Eye
This emblem, also known as the Eye of Providence, is a representation of the Eye of God which is said to keep watch over all mankind. While first
appearing popularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, and being a well known symbol of the Renaissance, it can trace its roots to far more older beliefs
and societies. The ancient Egyptians once revered a similar symbol as the Eye of Horus were it was believed to symbolize the indestructibility and
rebirth. In Buddhism it represents the triple nature of Buddha himself and is referred to as Tiratna or the Triple Gem. When enclosed by a triangle it
is meant to symbolize the Holy Trinity and is used by Trinitarian Christians to demonstrate this aspect of God.
Speculative Masons often employ this symbol to represent the ‘all-seeing’ aspect of the Grand Artificer of the Universe to whom all hearts are
open and all desires known. In Masonry the All-Seeing Eye does not incorporate a pyramid but an encompassing triangle surrounding it is often mistaken
as one. It is further wrongly assumed that its use in the Great Seal of the United States is part of Masonic symbolism. Of the original designers of
the Great Seal only Benjamin Franklin was a Mason and he desired a depiction of Moses parting the Red Sea as opposed to the eye and unfinished pyramid
which currently adorn the currency.
Pyramids are one of the most extensive of ancient structures and monuments having presences on several continents. Most famous of all are the Egyptian
pyramids of Giza which were erected for the Pharaohs. However, the Aztecs, Indians and Mesopotamians all constructed similar edifices. Contemporary
pyramids can be found in such disparate places as Paris, Las Vegas and The United Kingdom. An unfinished version also appears on the Great Seal of the
In Speculative Masonry pyramids are absent. The triangle is a much more revered symbol for the Fraternity as it represents the Forty Seventh Problem
of Euclid and stimulates the contemplation of Geometry, which is often referred to as the basis of the Arts and Sciences to which all Masons are
charged to educate themselves. Its use on the Great Seal has no Masonic connotations and instead represents the unfinished state of the country and
that it may always be improved upon.
The Bicephalous (Double-Headed) Eagle
While this symbol is indeed employed by Scottish Rite Masons its ancestry is far older and more intertwined with history the Speculative Masonry can
claim. The first appearance of the Double-Headed Eagle can be attributed to the Hitite cultures of 2,000 BC to 1,200 century BC, which is in modern
day Turkey, and used as a Divinity Symbol. Due to its origins in this region its use can be tied to the flags and emblems of numerous nations such as
The Russian Federation, Albania, Austria and Serbia-Montenegro. Prior to these nations employment of the Eagle it was also incorporated into the
Byzantine Empire’s herald and also to that of The Holy Roman Empire. While being employed by the latter it appeared as heraldic device and can
directly attributable to its continued usage into modern times as it disseminated into numerous other national symbols and heralds.
The Scottish Rite’s use of the Double-Headed Eagle of Lagash can be interpreted as a metaphor for the uniting of the Masculine and the Feminine
principles of an individual. A more spiritual construal of its symbolism is that of the Grand Inspector who should contemplate both sides of a
question, thereby displaying judicial balance. Once worn by the ancient Chaldeans with the motto, ‘The light toward which my eyes are turned.’, it
still, to this day symbolizes to the Mason that there is ‘more light’ to be sought by those who quest for additional knowledge.
The true symbols and emblems of Masonry rarely appear in public as their connotations and meanings are more esoteric in nature and are more
contemporary additions to the pantheon of Masonic symbolism. So why do individuals continually insist on proclaiming the above symbols to be Masonic
when they are not?