Archive for the 'Freemasonry' Category
The symbolism associated with the top hat on a Masonic Ring and the Master of the Lodge or wearing a Top Hat is twofold; keeping the head covered in the lodge while all others remain without their head covered is symbolic of superior rank or authority. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge wears a Top Hat which is symbolic of King Solomon’s wearing a crown as a mark of royal dignity. The Master of the Lodge will always remove his Top Hat duriing prayer.
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM – Origin and Meaning of the Motto Beneath the American Pyramid”Novus Ordo Seclorum” was the motto suggested in 1782 by Charles Thomson, the Founding Father chosen by the Continental Congress to come up with the final design for the Great Seal of the United States.
On June 20, 1782, Congress approved Thomson’s design for both sides of the Great Seal whose official description states:
“On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI
& underneath the following motto. ‘novus ordo seclorum’.”
He put the motto at the bottom of the reverse side where its meaning ties into the imagery above it: the unfinished pyramid with the date MDCCLXXVI (1776).
Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, but he explained its symbolism: Novus Ordo Seclorum signifies “the beginning of the new American Æra,” which commences from 1776.
ANNUIT COEPTIS – Origin and Meaning
of the Motto Above the EyeSecretary of Congress Charles Thomson suggested “Annuit Coeptis” when he put together the final design of the Great Seal in June 1782.
He placed the motto at the top of the Seal’s reverse side, where its meaning is associated with the Eye of Providence in a triangle surrounded by light rays.
Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, but he explained its symbolism: The Eye and the motto Annuit Coeptis “allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause.” Masonic Ring
“Signal” means unusual, notable, outstanding.
“Interposition” means intervention. (In this case, a divine intervention.)
On the U.S. dollar bill is displayed the Great Seal of the United States, which contains important symbols of Judeo-Freemasonry: the All-Seeing Eye, the Great Pyramid, the Six-Pointed Star, the Eagle, the phrases Annuit Coeptis and Novus Ordo Seclorum, and the motto E Pluribus Unum. Altogether, the Judeo-Masonic symbolism on the dollar bill reveals in a code the true origins and destiny of the United States. Masonic Rings
At the age of 20, George Washington the first President of the United States was brought into the lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He became an entered apprentice on November 4, 1752. He earned his Fellowcraft degree on March 13, 1753. He was eventually raised to the degree of Master Mason on August 4, 1753. Although worthy of becoming the first Gand Master of the Lodge of Virginia in 1778, he was not available. On April 29 or 1788, he was appointed the Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge #22. During that period of time George Washington was inaugurated as President of the United States. I have been looking for a picture of the Masonic Ring that George Washington wore if indeed he did wear one.
Contrary to popular mythology, Freemasonry is not a secret society. Meeting are held in lodges and like many meetings of different organizations, the meetings are not open to the public. They are only open to their members. Freemasons make no secret of their membership in the fraternity. Lodges have phone numbers and street addresses that are a matter of public record. Some lodges are currently providing information about there various organizations through the internet. The Masonic Ring worn by many Masons is a symbol of their membership.
Freemasonry is not a religion. A Mason must believe in a Supreme being. This is an essential requirement for membership in the fraternity. Freemasonry does however; encourage its members to practice their individual faiths. Freemasonry has no political agenda, nor is the discussion of politics allowed in a lodge meeting. The 3rd degree Masonic ring is a symbol of a members pledge to the fraternity.
I have been asked the difference many times regarding 10KT and 14KT gold. All of the Masonic Rings or other fraternal jewelry on my site: www.foxjewelry.net can be made of either 10KT or 14KT gold. Many of them can be made out of either yellow or white gold. I will do my best to explain the difference. First of all, pure gold is 24Kt. As you progress down the scale from 18Kt to 14Kt to 1oKT, the amount of gold in the ring is reduced. It won’t make much difference in the weight of the ring because other alloys are mixed with the higher concentrations of gold to reduce the amount of pure gold in the final product. 18KT is going to be a bit brighter than 14KT and 14Kt gold is going to bit a bit brighter than 10KT gold. Lower gold content will also mean that the ring might be a bit less resistant to scratches and dents because the final product contains other alloys that are harder than gold.
If you have any additional questions, please email them to me at: [email protected].
Masonry is one of the oldest fraternities in the world. More than likely it began in the middle ages when the stone masons formed a guild when building the castles and cathedrals thruout the world. They were first officially recognized as a fraternity in 1717 when the first Grand Lodge of England was formed. In the United States, there is a Grand Lodge in each state. Within each state, there are several lodges located within many cities. They are known as a Lodge or Masonic lodge. Sometimes they are referred to as the Blue Lodge. After 1717 Masonry spead quickly to America. Many of our founding Fathers were Masons; George Washington to name one. A picture of his Apron and explanation of the emblems on his Apron are on this page: http://www.pagrandlodge.org/mlam/apron/ Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. Masons and Masonry played an important part in the Revolutionary War.
Is there any significance in the different color stones (Red, Blue and Black)when used in the Blue Lodge Masonic Rings?While there may not be as many versions of the Masonic ring as there are Masonic lapel pins, there are several, most notably the square and compasses and the so-called Tubal-Cain sign. The ring can be found crafted from many materials and the Masonic symbols have been placed on stones, or artificial replicas of stones, that are red, blue and black. Some of the myths surrounding these rings are that the red setting indicates a brother under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, while the blue setting is for those lodges that evolved from the United Grand Lodges of England. The black is just accepted. I have never heard anyone try to associate it with Prince Hall Masonry or lodges that are predominately comprised of Black brethren such as Equity #106, on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.