Back to: Protected: The Master Mason Lesson
THE THREE RUFFIANS
There are many symbolic explanations for the appearance of these three in our ritualistic work. Their attempt to obtain the secrets not rightfully theirs and the dire consequences of their acts are symbolic of many things.
Trying to obtain a knowledge of Divine Truth by some means other than as a reward for faithful service, makes the culprit both a thief and a murderer. Each of us is reminded that rewards must be earned rather than obtained by violence.
The Ruffians are also symbols of the “passions” of man such as greed, laziness, envy, jealousy, pompousness, haughtiness, etc., which you have “come here to subdue.”
There is another symbolism that can be applied to today’s world. When man is enslaved, the first of his privileges to be denied or curtailed is that of free speech and unrestricted communications with his fellow man. This is shown by the blow across the throat by the first Ruffian, Jubala.
Man’s affection is the next area attacked, for man’s love of his fellow man is in the heart, which is contained within the breast and also, those who control a people also force the families to comply with their orders. This is shown by the blow across the chest by the second Ruffian, Jubalo.
Finally, man’s reason is attacked, because your enemies will always seek to destroy your mind as the final step to enslavement. This is shown by the blow to the forehead by Jubalum.
LOWTWELVE
In ancient symbolism, the number twelve denotes completion. We are not sure whether this sign arose from the twelve signs of the Zodiac, or the twelve edges of the cube, which is the most stable geometric figure.
The number twelve did denote fulfillment of a deed, and was therefore an emblem of human life. High Twelve denoted noon, with the sun at its highest, while Low Twelve denoted midnight, the blackest of the night.
Thirteen, which is an evil omen, follows twelve, just as death follows life. Therefore, the solemn stroke of twelve marked the completion of life and the coming of death. Masonically then, Low Twelve is a symbol of death.
THE FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP
These five points are symbolized by the Pentalpha or five-pointed star. In the center of the five-pointed star, two clasped hands are usually displayed.
The entire symbol signifies to the Mason that both fidelity and readiness to aid each other are to be found in the Order. Thus, the star becomes the symbol of true brotherhood.
THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
The lion has always been the symbol of might and royalty. It was the sign of the Tribe of Judah, because this was the royal tribe of the Hebrew Nation. All Kings of Judah were, therefore, called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. This was one of the titles of King Solomon. This was the literal meaning. The symbolic meaning of the name does not, necessarily, refer to Jesus of Nazareth, but some could interpret it so. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah also describes a mediator of some of the ancient religions.
There is no precise meaning to any Mason. He is left to his own interpretation, and that is one of the reasons Masonry has had followers from all religions over the centuries.
THE LOST WORD
In reality, we are not searching for a particular word. What we are searching for is Divine Truth, which should be the ultimate goal of all men and Masons.
In the Gospel of John, there is a familiar passage, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John was not telling anything new, for this was familiar to the Jewish people of that day. Announcing that Jesus had the Word was new.
Having the power of speech is perhaps the most noble attribute of man because he can communicate his thoughts to his fellows. As far as we know, no other animal has this power. Thus, the Word has been carried down over the ages as synonymous with every manifestation of Divine Power and Truth.
The Masonic search for the Word symbolizes the search for truth, more particularly, Divine Truth. We must always search diligently for truth and never permit prejudice, passions or conflicts of interest to hinder us in our search. We must keep our minds open to receiving truth from any source. Thus, Masons are devoted to freedom of thought, of speech and of action.
In Freemasonry, we do not have the true Word, but rather a substitute. Thus, we are reminded that, in this life, we may approach an approximation of truth, but will probably never attain it in perfection. We will always be searching, but may not receive it until we pass on to a higher state of existence.
THE SETTING MAUL
This was a wooden instrument used by Operative Masons in the building of Solomon’s Temple to set polished stone firmly into the wall. The Maul has been shown to be a symbol of destruction from prehistoric times and is shown many times in mythology.
One of the best known is that of Thor, God of Thunder, who is shown as a powerful man armed with a mighty hammer.
THE SPRIG OF ACACIA
Hebrew people used to plant a sprig of acacia at the head of a grave for two purposes – to mark the location of the grave and to show their belief in immortality. Because of its evergreen nature, they believed it to be an emblem of both immortality and innocence.
The true acacia is a thorny plant which abounds in Palestine. Both Jews and Egyptians believed that because of its hardness, its ever green nature, and its ability to live in the face of despair, it signified immortality.
It is believed that the acacia was used to construct most of the furniture and the tabernacle in the Temple.
THE RAISING OF A CANDIDATE
Most Brothers do not understand what being “raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason” means. Symbolically, it represents resurrection after death, and our Masonic faith in the immortality of the soul.
This Degree is the sublime climax of Symbolic Freemasonry. If you only learn that living, dying and raising of a Master Mason is a drama, designed to teach the virtues of fidelity and fortitude, you have received only partial light and have seen nothing but a drama with a moral.
This Degree seeks to answer the age-old question put forth by Job – “If a man die, shall he live again?”
There is a book called Introduction to Freemasonry authored by Carl H. Claudy that describes some of the lessons and purposes of the Degree, and the following are some of the lessons:
The Degree delves into the deepest recesses of man’s nature. While it leads the initiate into the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple, it probes into the Holy of Holies in his heart.
As a whole, the Degree is symbolic of that old age by the wisdom of which we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.
It teaches no creed, no dogma, no religion; only that there is a hope of immortality, and through God’s mercy, we may live again.
It teaches the power – and the powerlessness – of evil. For those of us who are happy believing in the resurrection of the physical body, which Paul taught, then the degree assures us of all we wish.
The ceremony is physical, but one of inner life, the home of the spirit where each man thinks the secret thoughts he tells no one.
THE ALL-SEEING EYE
This is a very old symbol of Deity. In Psalm 121, it says “He that keepeth Israel shall neither sleep nor slumber.” Thus, the idea that God watches over man is symbolized by the All-Seeing Eye to demonstrate that God is ever-present and ever-watchful.
Every Freemason should keep in mind that the things we do before man and the things we do in secret will be recorded by the All-Seeing Eye and will bear witness for or against us at Judgment time.