Page 13 - March 2019 Trestleboard

Acacia and the Masonic As a Masonic symbol the first noticeable thought is Aca-
cia has long been consecrated for sacred purposes. Aca-
Meanings of Life and Death cia is a symbol of strength, evergreen connections, im-

by Ken Lain, Aztlan Lodge No. 1 F&AM mortality, and of initiation.

Acacia trees (http://bit.ly/2V4Dhnc)are a common plant The evergreen and unchanging nature of the tree reminds
found in the deserts of Arizona and throughout the hot- us of the immortality of the soul or the better spiritual part
ter, desert placed on the planet. There are over 800 within us that can never die.
varieties found around the world with most of these
found in Australia alone. Acacia belongs to the Mimo-
saceae species of plants and directly related to cold The flowers of spring re-
hardy mountain varieties of Locust and Mimosa trees. mind us of the fragrance of
These varieties can survive in the harshest dry climates youth that emerges in
spring. Each spring blos-
soms rejuvenate the appear-
ance to youth and vigor,
then fade, drop, and transi-
tion back to their evergreen
branches. This eternal cy-
cle of vigor and youth is
compared to the spiritual life in which the soul freed from
the corruptible body shall enjoy an eternal spring and im-
mortality.

The sprig of Acacia plays a central part in the third-
degree ritual, and a sprig of evergreen Acacia is often laid
on the casket at Masonic
and found in the deep deserts of Israel, Africa and the funerals, and also wit-
hottest parts of the middle east. Many varieties thrive nessed in the fourteenth-
in the Arizona deserts. Roots have been found to grow degree cordon.
over 100 feet deep and the reason for their toughness
and longevity.
At the funeral service of a
The tree is a symbol of endurance and determination, brother it is said “this ever-
often considered immortal because of its ability to han- green is an emblem of our
dle scorching desert winds, going long periods without faith in the immortality of
water, yet able to be drowned by flood, or burned by the soul. By this, we are
fire and still comes back to life. Even the seed of most reminded we have an im-
Acacia has such a hard shell they need fire in order to mortal part within us, which shall survive the grave, and
germinate to life. which shall never die.” Even in countries where Acacia
does not grow mourners often deposit a sprig of other
Hebrews and Egyptians believed because of its fragrant evergreens such as cypress, rosemary or cedar into the
spring flowers, hardness, durability, and evergreen na- grave of the deceased.
ture this tree was a symbol of both innocence and im-
mortality. Even today it is Hebrew tradition to plant
Acacia sprigs at the head of a grave to mark its location In the closing sentences of the monitorial lecture of the
and show their belief in immortality. third degree the same sentiment is repeated by “the ever-
The wood is beautiful and hard. In the book of Exodus green and the ever living sprig” the Mason is strength-
37, God commanded Moses to build the Ark of the ened “with confidence and composure to look forward to
Covenant out of acacia wood, overlayed with gold, and a blessed immortality.” Such an interpretation of the sym-
place the two stone tablets upon which The 10 Com- bol is an easy and natural one.
mandments were carved before being placed into the
Holy of Holies of Soloman's Temple. The Ark along Thus we see this and more in a mere sprig of Acacia. We
with the sacred furniture used in the Temple were all are initiated into life symbolically with a sprig in the third
made of Acacia.
degree that represents the innocence that must for a time
lie in the grave, then called by the Grand Master of the
Scholars believe the crown of thorns placed on the head Universe to a blessed immortality.
of Jesus-Christ before his crucifixion was made of the Watch the YouTube Video “Acacia—Freemason Infor-
thorns of Acacia and the cross used to hang His body mation” (http://bit.ly/2Ef422J) for more information.
was made of hardened Acacia wood.

www.aztlanlodge.org Page 12