Page 51 - WM Manual Guide and Monitor 2024 - 2025

Masonic Emblems

Pot of Incense

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart. As noted in Psalms 141: "Let
prayer be set forth before thee as Incense; and the lifting of my hands as the
evening sacrifice." We learn in the Fellowcraft degree that smell is associated with
emotions. The Pot that holds the Incense, symbolic of sacrifice, the giving up of
selflessness and working for others. We are taught that no man should be content

to stand still, and that he must continue to sacrifice his pleasures, his time, and
his possessions, all for the betterment of fellow man.

Bee Hive

The Beehive is the emblem of Industry. The Ritual suggests that industry be
practiced by all creatures and tells us that we should never be content to be idle. The
inclusion of the Beehive as a Masonic symbol may have stemmed from the intense
work ethic of the early builder. The builders worked as a unit, working under
conditions that would stop modern architects and engineers. Every man had to do
his part, his share, to take part in his assignment.

The Book of Constitutions Guarded by the Tyler's Sword
The Tyler's Sword was a means of offense and defense during those days that
Operative Masons required the protection of the secrets of the master builder.
To Speculative Masons the Tyler's Sword is a reminder of moral lessons. It
should admonish us all to preserve consciences void of offenses toward God and
towards man. The Book of Constitutions contains the Laws of Masonry. We are
reminded to be ever "watchful and guarded in our words and actions." People
often learn about our Craft, not always by saying too much, but by saying too little.
Information about Masonry should not be guarded to the extent that good men
fail to Petition us because they believe everything is Secret. Caution, yes Caution.

The All Seeing Eye

The All Seeing Eye has been a symbol of Deity from the beginning of religion.
The Ancients adopted it from religion as a symbol of religion for their
"mysteries." From many ages has come the knowledge that although our
thoughts, words, and actions may be hidden from the eyes of man, yet that
whom the sun, moon and stars obey, are all under whose watchful care of the
Great Architect of the Universe. This has caused many of our Ritualists to remind
us that God is powerful, yet just and merciful.