-
Articles/Ads
Article SIGNS AND SYMBOLS.' ← Page 3 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
are equally surprised and gratified to find our own Masonic symbols amongst the expressive characters which have been ascribed to the first kings of E gypt and other authorities of equal antiquity ; which shows that they have been accounted jewels of inestimable value in all a ^ es , and by every people . " . Tlle emblems which Masons now make use of as the secret repositories of their treasures of
morality , were adopted by the ancients in very early times , as Signs and Symbols , and were even substituted for alphabetical characters . Thus , in the ancient alphabet of the Virgin , the Square was used to express the letter S ; in the alphabet of Socrates , it stood tor Z or th ; and as an hieroglyphic it denoted equally a Building and a Learned Man , according to the different situations in which it was placed . A circle supported btwo perpendicular linesdenoted
y parallel , VI ill and pleasure ; and in the Lunar alphabet the same character represented the letter Y . In the al phabet of Taurus , a point within a circle stood for R ; in the Lunar al phabet for H ; in the Solar alphabet for B ; in Aristotles alphabet for AV and U ; in that of Hermes for A ; and in the Egyptian hieroglyphics , it represented a Star .
me triangle now called a Trowel , was an emblem of very extensive application , and was much revered b y ancient nations as containing the greatest and most abstruse mysteries . It si gnified equally the Deity , Creation , and Fire ; in the alphabet of the Moon , it represented the letter S ; and in the hieroglyphics of E gypt , we sometimes see the suppliant presenting a triangle to his god . The Mallet was a symbol of I nor , the northern god of thunder . In the alphabet of Belinos , it was used to the letter Min that of
express ; Plato , L ; in that of Hermes , B ; m the Indian alphabet , A ; in the al phabet of Hermes Abootat , theMallet united with a Pickaxe , denoted 11 ; in that of Jupiter , N ; and in the Berrahian alphabet , Z In the alphabet of Pythagoras , the Compasses stood for S ; m that of Diosmos the Egyptian , for F ; and in the oldest Chaldean alphabet , the Square and Compasses united as they are in our lliird Degree of Masonry , was a character used to represent the letter H . In the alphabet of Saturn , the Plumb stood for S ; and a Skull for T ; in that of India , a Chisscl stood for A ; in that of Hermes , a double cross supporting a circle \~ 0 ^\ for S II B ; and two parallel lines for Y ;
and in the Solar al phabet , a Sun represented the first letter , A . "—p . 20 . We convert these symbols to a more valuable purpose than a simple appropriation to alphabetical characters , which convey no intelligible idea to the mind ; for every one of our emblems points out some peculiar virtue , and reads a lesson to the attentive Brother on the moral and social duties of his station . The moveable and immoveable Jewels indicate a series of sublime truths , of which no well-instructed Mason possibl he and b
can y ignorant ; y the Ornaments and Furniture of a . Lodge , he is taught how to live and how to die;—how to acquire and use hose noble qualities of the mind which will make him respected and happy while he remains in the society of his Brethren on earth , and raise him at length to an imperishable and blissful immortality . The three I heological Virtues are symbolized by as many precious Stones , costly'and durable—the emerald , the sapphire , and thi garnet ; while the Blooming Virtues , which emanate in a peculiar manner from the system , viz . peace , unity , and plenty , are in like manner symbolized by Hie lily tvork , net-work , and pomegranates , which adorn and beautify
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Signs And Symbols.'
are equally surprised and gratified to find our own Masonic symbols amongst the expressive characters which have been ascribed to the first kings of E gypt and other authorities of equal antiquity ; which shows that they have been accounted jewels of inestimable value in all a ^ es , and by every people . " . Tlle emblems which Masons now make use of as the secret repositories of their treasures of
morality , were adopted by the ancients in very early times , as Signs and Symbols , and were even substituted for alphabetical characters . Thus , in the ancient alphabet of the Virgin , the Square was used to express the letter S ; in the alphabet of Socrates , it stood tor Z or th ; and as an hieroglyphic it denoted equally a Building and a Learned Man , according to the different situations in which it was placed . A circle supported btwo perpendicular linesdenoted
y parallel , VI ill and pleasure ; and in the Lunar alphabet the same character represented the letter Y . In the al phabet of Taurus , a point within a circle stood for R ; in the Lunar al phabet for H ; in the Solar alphabet for B ; in Aristotles alphabet for AV and U ; in that of Hermes for A ; and in the Egyptian hieroglyphics , it represented a Star .
me triangle now called a Trowel , was an emblem of very extensive application , and was much revered b y ancient nations as containing the greatest and most abstruse mysteries . It si gnified equally the Deity , Creation , and Fire ; in the alphabet of the Moon , it represented the letter S ; and in the hieroglyphics of E gypt , we sometimes see the suppliant presenting a triangle to his god . The Mallet was a symbol of I nor , the northern god of thunder . In the alphabet of Belinos , it was used to the letter Min that of
express ; Plato , L ; in that of Hermes , B ; m the Indian alphabet , A ; in the al phabet of Hermes Abootat , theMallet united with a Pickaxe , denoted 11 ; in that of Jupiter , N ; and in the Berrahian alphabet , Z In the alphabet of Pythagoras , the Compasses stood for S ; m that of Diosmos the Egyptian , for F ; and in the oldest Chaldean alphabet , the Square and Compasses united as they are in our lliird Degree of Masonry , was a character used to represent the letter H . In the alphabet of Saturn , the Plumb stood for S ; and a Skull for T ; in that of India , a Chisscl stood for A ; in that of Hermes , a double cross supporting a circle \~ 0 ^\ for S II B ; and two parallel lines for Y ;
and in the Solar al phabet , a Sun represented the first letter , A . "—p . 20 . We convert these symbols to a more valuable purpose than a simple appropriation to alphabetical characters , which convey no intelligible idea to the mind ; for every one of our emblems points out some peculiar virtue , and reads a lesson to the attentive Brother on the moral and social duties of his station . The moveable and immoveable Jewels indicate a series of sublime truths , of which no well-instructed Mason possibl he and b
can y ignorant ; y the Ornaments and Furniture of a . Lodge , he is taught how to live and how to die;—how to acquire and use hose noble qualities of the mind which will make him respected and happy while he remains in the society of his Brethren on earth , and raise him at length to an imperishable and blissful immortality . The three I heological Virtues are symbolized by as many precious Stones , costly'and durable—the emerald , the sapphire , and thi garnet ; while the Blooming Virtues , which emanate in a peculiar manner from the system , viz . peace , unity , and plenty , are in like manner symbolized by Hie lily tvork , net-work , and pomegranates , which adorn and beautify