November 03, 2003
Symbols of Freemasonry
In the Cemetery of Pleasures there are several mausoleums where freemasonry symbols can be found.
One of their principal symbols is the square and compasses, tools of the trade, so arranged as to form a quadrilateral. The square is sometimes said to represent matter, and the compasses spirit or mind. The compass is an ancient symbol of spirituality and spiritual creativity. Some medieval paintings show God creating the Universe with compasses.
Another common freemasonry symbol is the Eye of God. It's an emblem reminding us that we are constantly in God's presence.
This is harder to find: a double headed eagle with the number 33 on its chest. The 33rd degree is the highest rank a freemason can reach which entitles him to have on his aperon an embroidering of a double headed eagle of Lagash (a sumerian city). These are symbols of the Scottish Rite.
Another not so common one is the beehive, symbolic of systematized industry and meaning that what one may not be able to accomplish alone may be easily performed when all work together at one task.
Published by claudia | TrackBack
para quem se interessa, aqui fica uma introdução:
http://www.maconaria.net/index.shtml
Posted by: Jorge on October 18, 2004 12:14 AMciao!
i'm writing a book about human brain and symbols in freemasonry.
This is very new and we can see freemasonry as natural stimulation of a side of brain.
I try to demonstrate this by imaging(NMR).
write me if you can suggest some thing.
massimo misefari
molto interessante, ma troppo poco.....
massimo
ITALY
interesting, in fact i am reading the lost language of symbolism right now: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080651163X/103-1825162-5018216
and i took a sinister picture in manhattan the other week:
http://greg.abstrakt.ch/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album105&id=PA186875
btw, thanks for your link about the chinese names. good stuff. how did you find my blog?
Posted by: Gregor J. Rothfuss on November 3, 2003 08:54 PMooops. I'm so self-centered. It's in Lisboa, the capital. At least I said it was in Portugal.
Note to self: improve geographical references!
:-)
this cemetery theme really impressed me. exactly in which town, in Portugal, can this be found?
Posted by: english patient on November 3, 2003 07:12 PM