Ask
any Freemason in any part of the world, from any race or creed, any culture or
language, for the universal symbol of Freemasonry, and a vast majority, if not
all, will proclaim the Square and Compasses as the most visible and commonly
accepted symbol of Freemasonry. Dr. Samuel Hemming’s definition of Freemasonry
is equally accepted among members of the Craft-Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and
illustrated in symbols. And,
when one delves into the symbolism of the Square, Compasses and the letter “G”,
it will be readily concluded that the entire system of Freemasonry is embedded in
this universal symbol of Freemasonry. Yet, what do they have to do with the
creation and development of Man? Everything.
The Compasses
The
Compasses are said to be used by Speculative Freemasons to “circumscribe our
passions” or to keep us in “due bonds”. Operatively, they are used to draw
circles, and can be intimately connected to the symbol of the point within a
circle. The point identifying the resting place of one point of the compasses
around which the other point will rotate around, creating the point within the
circle. This symbol is commonly seen in addition to two parallel lines. The
lines represent the Moral and Spiritual influencing our life cycle; the Circle
itself being a spiritual symbol. This can allow us to conclude that the
compasses symbolize the SPIRITUAL component of Man.
The Square
The
Square is said to be an emblem of morality, but further a symbol of the
PHYSICAL world. So, it can very well represent the PHYSICAL component of Man.
The Letter “G”
The
Letter “G” is said to represent both God and Geometry, which is vitally important to the Universal symbol, opening up
the understanding to the innate purpose of Freemasonry. Geometry is said to be
the Study of the EARTH, or the MEASURING of the EARTH. God being the Supreme
Architect of the Earth, Geometry can denote a science given to Man, by God, to
view His signature in Creation. When man applies Geometry, he discovers the
Wisdom and Design, the Order and Symmetry of the whole of Creation.
The Revelation
According
to any VSL, God created man from the dust of the EARTH. More specifically, in
the Holy Bible (a Great Light), Genesis 2:7 it states:
“And God formed Man from the dust
of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man
became a living soul”
Man’s
body being physical is symbolized by the Square. If we lay the square on one
side, it will actually represent the drawing of Humanity out of dust (level
ground/horizontal), into a standing creature (perpendicular).
This
is the base of the Universal symbol of Freemasonry. It represents the base
foundation of Man’s existence (physical). All of Humanity is born into flesh
and so have the base foundation of a physical life, and a potential for greatness.
But this component alone doesn’t allow him to aspire to more than just being a
GOOD person; he is still profane and closed off from the ability to tap into
the wellspring of glory within him. We know there is more than just the
physical existence, because it stated that Man needed something spiritual, so the
Supreme Architect of the Universe breathed into him the breath of life.
The
Compasses represent the Spiritual part of man; his consciousness and awareness
of himself and his world. Within the compasses is the Will and freedom to
decide and think which makes him the apex of creation and the true focus of the
Grand Architect of the Universe in creation.
The
Square and Compasses in this regard are the Spiritual and Physical part of man,
and when brought together, they represent the WHOLE of MAN, the entirety of who
he is and his existence in the earth. But there is still something missing…
The
Letter “G” in the center of the Square and Compasses represent the divinity or
GOD in Man, unifying in perfect symmetry, the Spiritual and Physical life of
man. When the “G” is present, there is the ever present potential for Ascension
and progression. So, the Universal symbol of Freemasonry is a symbol of God in
Man.
Geometry
speaks of man measuring himself, studying himself, knowing his dimensions,
points and space. It is the IMPROVING of himself in Masonry. It begins to make
perfect sense why one must have a belief in a Supreme Being (“G”) to enter the
doors of Freemasonry. That God in him is birth by the Union of the Square and
Compasses; this is why as a Master Mason BOTH POINTS ARE ABOVE THE SQUARE,
because he learns to subdue the passions of the flesh (Square) by application
and activation of the Spiritual portion (Compasses) of himself, his spiritual
part is OVER (controlling and influencing) his Flesh (Square). This is only
done when one can truly tap into the GOD (The Letter “G”) within (the Square
and Compasses).
So,
embedded within the universal symbol of Freemasonry is the true purpose and
object of Freemasonry, which is to reveal the GOD WITHIN MAN or the recovery of
the LOST WORD (divinity within).
Written by Companion John L. Hairston, The Eternal Chaplain
Sacred Pen of the Quill and the Sword
