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.

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