Also, this is just my insight, I may be wrong about the whole history but this is just stuff I know from things that I have gleaned here and there. Basically, the whole point is that symbology is just a form of communication but like with all forms of art, its’ interepretations are subjective and one will get what they will out of it.
My point exactly. The same symbol can mean different things to different people. To assume that one symbol means the same thing everywhere is just silly, but people seem to use that logic when “researching” the Masons.
Most of the Masonic symbols are far older than Freemasonry itself. Also a lot of symbols have been hijacked from the Pagans by the Church and twisted to something evil which helped in their agenda to control the masses. Even today, most people don’t know what the pentagram actually symbolizes or what the manuto canuto (the horned hand signal)actually means.
Most of the Masonic symbols are far older than Freemasonry itself.
Actually that’s quite wrong! The symbols that Freemasonry shares do pre-date it but the actual Masonic symbols such as the square, compasses, chisel, 24 inch guage, common gavel, trowel, level, plumb, etc are ours and they only became symbols as Freemasonry developed, before that they were just operative tools.
Elm Grand Rapids - 09 July 2010 03:30 PM
Also a lot of symbols have been hijacked from the Pagans by the Church and twisted to something evil which helped in their agenda to control the masses. Even today, most people don’t know what the pentagram actually symbolizes or what the manuto canuto (the horned hand signal)actually means.
While I don’t really care what the horned hand symbolises the pentagram has many many different meanings and to be correct they should all be linked by the number five. For example we Freemasons use it to symbolise the five points of fellowship, whereas early Chrisians used it to represent the five wounds of Christ. It has also been representative of 5 senses and 5 elements. There is no one understanding of the pentagram other than there must be 5 involved, the clue is in its name of course.
The reality is nothing to do with the Church, it is actually people who choose to be educated by TV, films, the Media and, nowadays, the Internet who don’t understand the real and many meanings of symbols.
Mike
Well I am sorry if I was incorrect about the first part. I can only know so much but thanks for correcting me. I am not trying to sound pompous or anything, I do read and I try to understand. As for the thing about the Church and symbolism I do have to disagree on part of that. I would articulate it more but I am having some concentration problems and am tired so I’ll come back to it when I am more lucid.
Personally I wouldn’t care if the freemasons were a secret society. I am for the cause of the freemasons. I am not a member yet just an admirer. Sure the freemasons have secrets that other people dont deserve to know, that i don’t deserve to know. Just stick to worrying about your taxes and terrorists and such. if you dissapprove of the freemasons, you dissaprove of all the rights and freedoms that us Americans have. This in my opinion gives the freemasons not only the right to keep secrets but the right to do as they please. I am only 17 years old and i’ve realized this, i think its sad that you “adults” haven’t yet
Thank you for your contribution to the Forum. When you’re 18 make sure you get in touch with us. We’ll find a Lodge for you and get you involved.
-Robert
I enjoyed your reply very much. There was a time when the attitude of most Masons was like yours, or even harder, to the point of arrogance. One of my old friends and brothers related to me what he was told 50 years ago when he asked a Mason what the G stood for. The reply was, “Guts—for asking”; meaning, None of your business.
We have come a long way since then in accomodating the outside world, and sometimes I think maybe we lean over too far. There was a thread here some months ago started by a woman, who expressed amazed horror that any man would keep anything secret from his wife. She was treated here with kid gloves; but I wanted to ask her if she spent her time reading Victorian romance novels, or the stories in a certain type of modern women’s magazine. The proper response, of course, is that we have certain secrets which we have solemnly promised to keep; that we have nothing whatever to be ashamed of; on the contrary, what we keep to ourselves as private is altogether honorable, elevating, and intended for the improvement of those to whom we choose to reveal them.
You sound like the kind of thoughtful and discriminating young man we would be glad to have as a brother. I note that you are close to the minimum age in Mass. I hope you are planning to ask to join at an early opportunity. Keep in touch.
Hear Hear, the baphomet thing is totally bunk. Just remember to 2B1ASK1, as far as becoming a mason. Call a local lodge or email them. Talk to the secretary and come down for an interview. Be prepared to talk about you and why you want to be a part of this. Read up on Masonry, the stuff by legitamite authors, not the anti mason or conspiracy bologna.
This is exactly what I did, I had been interested in years. Then one day I said let me try and see what happens…I sent an email explaining my interest (no one in my family is a mason), and they told me to stop by. I had dinner with many of the Past Masters soon thereafter, next thing you know I am standing in a dark room awaiting the initiation in the the first degree of masonry, the entered apprentice. It was great.
If you want to know more, send me a PM, I would be happy to share with you.
Actually, there are a lot of misconceptions about the “secrets” of Freemasonry. Other that the signs, words, and parts of the rituals there are very few things that are secret. Some Masons themselves, especially some old-timers, have the notion that everything of a Masonic nature is off limits - this is not true. A case in point is the History Channel (which I personally think is just as guilty as people like Jay-Z who sensationalize Masonry for their own profit - but that’s another story…). When they run a program dealing with Masonry, many times they go pretty deeply into ritual and lore and interview Masons usually connected with a Grand Lodge who expound on some point of Masonic history or ritual. They can freely discuss a lot without giving away any Masonic secrets. I only wish that the History Channel would run something positive about Freemasons…but I guess that doesn’t get ratings.
What bugs me about the History Channel shows is that they use this ominous voice to ask questions like “are all Freemasons devil-worshipers?” and then immediately break for a commercial. After the commercial, they have an interview with a Mason who basically shoots the question down, but then the next few sentences are like “they may or may not all be devil-worshipers, but is Masonry really just a bastion for cannibals?”
You know, now that I think about it, that same sort of techniques are easily found in Lomas/Knight books. LOL
Marshall and Zoffy I agree with you both about what you have said about the History Channel regarding Masonry. Remember that is always about the ratings 100% of the time! Take care.
The only secret of Freemasonry is what for dinner afterwards!
Ok really i should say that people should look at our secrets as confidences. If someone planned a surprise birthday for a friend, would you ruin it for them? Why spoil a good surprise? What kind of friend would you be to tell someone about the surprise. Why open up the presents under the tree before its time, you just end up wrecking the surprise for yourself. Who wants that? Maybe a child who doesnt know better.
Furthermore, people who say were evil and devil worshipers and animal sacrificers are completely ignorant. Dont get me wrong from time to time we will select a tasty Lasagna or possibly some Deli meats that richly deserve to be eaten.
Its a sad part of the human condition to proclaim “I have the truth!” Part of that is built upon showing how everyone else is wrong and therefore everyone who doesnt agree with me is living a lie and therefore evil. To me thats tragically humorous. People who perpetuate lies about Freemasonry really couldnt begin to comprehend the word truth, they are unable to speculate or philosophize the meaning of anything so they run around criticizing everyone without looking in the mirror. Its that simple. They absorb some BS that someone else dreamt up and take is as heaven sent. To them I say, read some books and start with the one your waving in everyones face. Then read the ones others are waving in your face. Then jump off a cliff.lol No dont do that, just live and let live.Enjoy!
Imzi - You would normally start a new thread to ask a separate question. This question wold fit in the general section. To answer your question, No, a woman may not become a member. At least not in regular Freemasonry here in the US. Freemasonry is a mens fraternity, however there are groups under the Masonic “umbrella” that women may join.
