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NM Freemason · Skills & Drills · Chapter 4

The Public Symbols of the Craft

Drawn from published Masonic monitor content. See site Credits for source citations.

Vocabulary (10)

Square
A right-angled instrument of the operative builder, adopted in speculative Masonry as a published symbol of morality, the rule by which we test the squareness of our actions toward all mankind.
Compasses
A pair of dividers used by the operative craftsman to lay out work; in speculative Masonry, a published symbol of the duty to keep one's desires and passions within due bounds.
Lambskin apron
The plain white apron of the Mason, made of lambskin. The published lecture calls it more ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle: an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason.
Volume of the Sacred Law
The book of sacred writ recognized as binding upon the candidate's conscience. In Anglo-American Craft Masonry the Bible is most commonly used; the obligation rests upon whatever volume the candidate holds sacred.
Point within a circle
A published emblem in which an individual Mason (the point) is bounded by the limits of his duty (the circle). Two parallel lines bordering the circle are said to represent the two Holy Saints John.
Two Holy Saints John
St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, the two patron saints of Craft Masonry, commemorated on 24 June and 27 December respectively.
Sprig of acacia
An evergreen sprig used in the published Masonic memorial as an emblem of the immortality of the soul.
Trowel
An operative tool for spreading the cement that unites a building. In its public symbolism, the trowel teaches the Master Mason to spread the cement of brotherly love which unites the Fraternity.
All-seeing eye
A published emblem of the watchful presence of Deity. It appears prominently in Masonic art and on monuments.
Letter G
The letter G, frequently displayed between the Square and Compasses, is publicly explained as standing for Geometry (the science upon which Masonry is founded) and, by elevation, for the Grand Architect of the Universe.

Multiple-choice (8)

1. What does the Square publicly symbolize?
  1. The control of one's passions within due bounds
  2. Morality, the rule by which we test our actions ✓
  3. The brevity of human life
  4. The Grand Architect's wisdom
2. What virtue is taught by the Compasses?
  1. Squaring one's actions by the rule of right
  2. Keeping one's desires and passions within due bounds ✓
  3. Diligence in daily labor
  4. Hospitality to the stranger
3. Which two saints are publicly named as the patron saints of Craft Masonry?
  1. Saints Peter and Paul
  2. Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist ✓
  3. Saints Andrew and Patrick
  4. Saints George and Michael
4. What does the lambskin apron publicly symbolize?
  1. The wealth of the Fraternity
  2. Innocence; called the badge of a Mason ✓
  3. The brevity of life
  4. The unity of all faiths
5. What does the letter G between the Square and Compasses publicly represent?
  1. Grand Lodge
  2. Geometry, and by elevation the Grand Architect of the Universe ✓
  3. Goodness
  4. The Grand Master's signature
6. What is the published symbolism of the sprig of acacia?
  1. The brevity of earthly life
  2. The immortality of the soul ✓
  3. The strength of the Craft
  4. The hospitality of the Fraternity
7. What does the trowel publicly teach the Master Mason to spread?
  1. The cement of brotherly love which unites the Fraternity ✓
  2. The mortar of operative skill
  3. The fame of the Lodge in its community
  4. The teachings of the Volume of the Sacred Law
8. Which volume rests upon the altar of a regular Masonic Lodge?
  1. The Anderson Constitutions
  2. Mackey's Encyclopaedia
  3. The Volume of Sacred Law recognized by the candidate ✓
  4. A book of Grand Lodge bylaws