Page 10 - MergedFile
P. 10

N  A  L  G
                                                   I  O
                                                   G E  RAND LODGE
           The Ashlar                              R                               Vol. XIV Issue II
            “SYMBOLISM”                      Courtesy  : GLI Masonic Education Program


         INTRODUCTION                                   symbols,  which  have  a  more  complex  connotation  to
                                                        comprehend, like the ones in the context of 'Raising'. In the
           “What is Freemasonry?”                       ensuing dissertation all this shall become clear when explained
         "“A peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated   at length.
         by symbols.”
                                                        PREPARATION OF CANDIDATE FOR INITIATION
         Words are often inadequate to express the deeper spiritual truths
         as words have a material origin and invariably address a certain   The process of entry into Freemasonry begins with preparation
         material entity. Masonry, therefore, does not use words to convey   of the initiate or the candidate. The Ritual or the ceremony of
         the deeper spiritual truth. It resorts to the use of allegory and   Initiation is a very imaginative and dramatic rendition to impress
         symbols.                                       upon  the  candidate  a  degree  of  expectancy  and  novelty,
         “Symbolism is the key to all mysteries, to all ancient and modern   stoking a sense of curiosity in him. All this adds to make the
         religions, to all esoteric knowledge. Without an understanding of   ceremony a memorable experience for him, to be remembered
         the meaning of symbols, one will never appreciate the intrinsic   and savoured for many years to come. It also ensures that
         beauty of life, or understand what his own religion is trying to   every  Mason  enters  the  Gentle  Order  on  equal  basis,  and
         teach him. But as the knowledge of the meaning of the symbols   shares the same experience irrespective of his station in private
         comes  to  him,  he  becomes  more  and  more  a  free  man,  or   or public life. This fosters a bond of Brotherhood and equality
         initiate.”                                     amongst Masons.
         Allegory is generally understood as a 'narrative description of a   The candidate readies himself in two distinct ways: The Internal
         subject  under  the  guise  of  another  suggestively  similar'.   and External preparations.
         Dictionary succinctly interprets it as 'emblem', a word almost
         synonymous with 'symbol'. The narrative of building of KST is    Internal Preparation
         one example. It alludes that a Freemason is expected to build
         himself into a perfect man as the perfect edifice of the KST.  The candidate offering to join the Order does so of his own free
                                                        will and volition prompted by a favourable opinion of the Order
          Our gentle Order defines its members as 'Free and Accepted, or   as may be preconceived by him. The proposer does answer to
         Speculative'  Masons  as  opposed  to  'Operative  Masons'.   his various questions to inform him about Masonry; he may
         Dictionary  meaning  of  'Speculative'  is  'thoughtful'  or   even  tender  some  relevant  literature  to  the  prospective
         'philosophical'.  A  true  speculative  Mason  thus  affords  to   candidate to inform him about the gentle Order, its history and
         comprehend the hidden order of the Universe both of heaven   background. Still the candidate must 'declare on his honour'
         and earth 'more particularly those of a spiritual and intellectual   that he is joining the Craft voluntarily and not under duress, or
         nature'. By his understanding he endeavours to unveil the gift of   as  a  result  of  improper  solicitation,  or  any  such  unworthy
         happiness.  He  is  thus  enabled  to  investigate  the  order  and   inducement. He is thus 'first prepared in his heart' to be one of
         system of the universe and to adapt to its ideas of morality, justice   us.
         and peace, the only means by which man can live with comfort
         and happiness in the world.                    Thus  the  desire  to  be  a  Freemason  is  symbolised  as  an
                                                        endearing wish emanating from ones heart, enthused by 'a
         To expound its ethics, Freemasonry employs a great number of   general desire for knowledge'.
         symbols interlaced in several allegories and rituals. Generically
         symbols could be classed into three categories. The first ones   He is, just before his Initiation, also asked to re-affirm his faith in
         are  easy  to  comprehend,  or  obvious  symbols  –  like  the   Supreme Being which is the most essential requirement to join
         symbolism of twenty four inches gauge. The second one is where   the  Order.  It  is  immaterial  as  to  which  religion,  church,  or
         the meaning may be a little obscure, needing some elaboration:   denomination of faith he subscribes to, as long has he accepts
         Like the meaning of various things/items during a candidate's   the Fatherhood of God. This is not just the orientation of the
         preparation  for  initiation.  And  finally,  the  third  category  of   candidate  about  the  spiritual  dimension  of  Freemasonry.  It



                                                    9
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15