Copyright 2011 - Templum Sion Lodge of Freemasons
Freemasonry is the largest and most ancient global initiatory fraternal organization. It is neither a service club
nor a philanthropic organization; it is not a secret society so much as a society with some secrets that pertain
to its ancient three-degree ritual. It is not a religion nor does it profess to be one, rather it is a philosophical
orientation that underlies all moral teachings and belief systems.
In its current form symbolical Freemasonry is approximately 800 years old with it’s origins rooted in the European Monastic Guilds of the 7th to 9th centuries CE though its many influences stem from far more ancient times in Greece, Egypt
and Mesopotamia. Its unique architectural ritualistic symbolism encourages the study of truth via the classical 7 liberal
arts & sciences, application of values such as tolerance, morality and service to humanity and introspection towards
self-knowledge.
The Masonic square & compasses seen above are the universal symbols of the ancient Craft- the square, symbol
of skill and knowledge, to “square” each Freemasons action’s in his undertakings in the world and the compasses
to keep the Mason within spiritual boundaries and restrain negative or destructive passions.
The letter G refers to God the Creator, the Supreme Being or to Geometry, the universal truth. Thus the three part
symbol represents earthly strength; the mental or emotional, and the spiritual. The Freemason who would understand
these 3 symbols gains spiritual mastery. That person would understand the beauty of creation and God and the secret
of the divine present within the human.
