Symbols of the Entered Apprentice.

>The symbols, emblems and allegorical ceremonies of the First Degree each have a meaning and comprise a large part of the teachings of the degree. Our time is too brief to give you complete explanations, but we believe it will be profitable for you to have a few suggestions, especially as they will show that every detail of the ritual is filled with a definite significance.

The language of symbols is as universal as man. In fact, language itself is an illustration of the uses of symbols to transfer ideas from man to man.

We may divide symbols into two classes – natural and artificial, though sometime the dividing line between them is very vague, and in may cases the same symbols is used in both classes. By a natural symbol we mean one in which the nature of the thing itself conveys an idea and is independent of any other language, either spoken or written. An artificial symbol is one to which an arbitrary meaning has been assigned by common agreement.

In general we may say that the letters of the alphabet and words formed from them are artificial symbols, and the level as it conveys the idea of equality is a natural one.

The hoodwink represents the darkness in which the uninitiated stand as regards Masonry. It is removed at the moment of enlightenment, suggesting that we do not create the great things in life, such as goodness, truth and beauty, but find them. They always exist, regardless of the blindness of any individual.

The ancient significance of the cable tow is uncertain, and evidence of this is found in the widely divergent interpretations one may read in the literature of Masonry. However, without stating in detail the reasons, we regard the assumption of the cable tow in advance of each of the degrees as a symbol of the voluntary and complete acceptance of and pledged compliance with whatever Masonry may have in store; and the subsequent release after taking the obligation indicates this symbol is no longer needed, since the candidate has assumed the definite and irrevocable pledge of the degree.

Concerning the penalty it suggests it may also be regarded as a physical symbol of the spiritual penalty, which naturally and inevitably follows the violation of moral obligations. If a man does not keep the law of his own free will, he must be compelled to keep it.The removal of the Cable Tow signifies that when a man becomes a master of himself, he will keep the law instinctively.

The Ceremony of Entrance signifies birth or initiation, and symbolizes the fact that you are entering a new world, that of Masonry.

The Reception typifies the one real penalty for violation of the Obligation: The destructive consequences to a man’s nature through the failure to be true to his vows.

The Rite of Circumambulation is Masonry’s name for the ceremony in which you are conducted around the lodge room, an allegorical act rich with many meanings. One of these is that the Masonic life is a progressive journey, from station to station of attainment, and that a Mason should continually search for more light.

An equally significant ceremony is that of Approaching the East. The East is the source of light; that station in the heavens in which the sun appears to dispel the darkness. Masons are Sons of Light; therefore, we face the East. The Altar is a symbol of the spiritual heart of Masonry.

The Obligations have a literal meaning and as such are the foundations of our disciplinary law, but above this, they signify the nature and place of obligation in human life. An obligation is a tie, a contract, a pledge, a promise, a vow, a duty; in addition to the obligations we voluntarily assumes, there many under which we stand naturally – obligations to God, to our country, to our families, to employers or employees, to friends and fellow citizens.

The Great Lights of Masonry are the Holy Bible, the Square, and the Compass. As a Great Light, the Holy Bible represents the Sacred Book of the Law, and is a symbol of man’s acknowledgement of and his relation to Deity.

The Square is an emblem of virtue. It is an instrument of architecture that has been used throughout the ages, and our ancient Brethren who wrought in Operative Masonry could not have erected the superb Temple, which immortalized the name of King Solomon, without the use of this instrument

The Compass was employed in operative Masonry for the accurate measurement of the architect’s plans ands to enable him to give just proportions which would ensure stability and beauty. In Speculative Masonry, it is an equally important implement symbolic of that true standard of rectitude of living which alone can insure beauty and stability in life. The Compass signifies the duty which we owe to ourselves. We might also properly regard the Compass as excluding beyond its circle that which is harmful or unworthy.

The word and grip are our means of recognition by which, among stranger’s we are able to prove others or ourselves regular Masons in order to enter into Fraternal relationships.

The Rite of Salutation, in which the candidate salutes the Master, is not only a test of his ability to give proper due guard and sign, but it is his recognition of the authority of the Master. It is also a symbol of a mason’s respect for and obedience to all just and duly constituted authorities. The Old Charges state this in a single sentence: “A Mason is a peaceable subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works.”

The Master is a symbol as well as the executive officer of the Lodge. As the Sun rules the day, he should endeavor to rule and govern his lodge.

The Apron is at once an emblem of purity and the badge of a Mason. By purity is meant clean thinking and clean living, a loyal obedience to the laws of the craft, and sincere good will to the Brethren; the badge of a Mason signifies that Masons are workers and builders, not drones and destructionists.

The symbolism of the rite of destitution reverts to those ancient times when men believed that the planets determined human fate and controlled human passions, and that there was a metal by which each planet itself was controlled. In ancient initiations candidates were compelled to leave all metals behind, lest they bring into the assembly disturbing planetary influences. While with us this symbolism no longer has an astrological character, the old point about excluding disturbing influences remains; the candidate is not to bring into the Lodge room his passions or prejudices lest that harmony, which is one of the chief concerns of Masonry, be destroyed.

There is another and more obvious significance in this Rite of Destitution; that of the obligation of every Mason to recognize and alleviate, so far as his resources reasonably permit, the distress of his fellowmen; and we are reminded that this obligation rests with even greater weight upon us when the one in distress is a Masonic brother.

The Northeast Corner is traditionally the place where the cornerstone of a building is laid. The Apprentice is, therefore, so placed to receive his first instruction on which to build his moral and Masonic edifice.

The Operative Mason would have been helpless without his Working Tools. Without them there would have been no magnificent cathedrals, no superb Temple of Solomon; even the craft itself would have been non-existent, and the world today infinitely poorer.

Nowhere in Masonry do we find the impact of symbolism more significant than in its application to the Working Tools. Without them, Speculative Masonry would be but an empty shell of formalism, if indeed, it managed to exist at all. While they do contain the whole philosophy of Masonry, the various Working Tools allocated to the three degrees by their very presence declare there is constructive work to be done, and by there nature indicate the direction this work is to take.

The Entered Apprentice is himself a symbol, one of the noblest in the emblematic system of the Craft. He represents youth, typified by the rising sun; trained youth, youth willing to submit itself to discipline and to seek knowledge in order to learn the great art of life, represented and interpreted by all the mysteries of Masonry.

It is by such voices and arts as all these, that our magnificent First Degree gave its teachings to you as a man and an Entered Apprentice. We sincerely hope that these suggestions as to the meaning of these symbols and emblems will lead you to seek further light, not only that you may become a well trained Mason, but also to their value to your life outside the Lodge room.

Excerpted from “The Masonic Scholar: A Manual of Masonic Education for Candidates”

Printed by the Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of California.