ILLUSTRATES Andre Toma
1) A world of its own
The format of a traditional Lodge is rectangular, longer in an east-west direction. It is a representation of how the inhabited area of the Earth was understood in Solomon’s time: a band in Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. According to mythology, in the west, the Strait of Gibraltar was flanked by the Pillars of Hercules – represented, in the Lodge, by the pillars Jachim and Boaz at the main entrance, which is also on the west side.
2) light and dark
The Lodges make reference to Solomon’s Temple. Therefore, the more traditional ones still follow certain precepts, especially in the main ritual room (sometimes called the “temple”). Black and white chess floor, for example, it would be a representation of good and evil in human nature or the union between Mason brothers.
3) Only the very end
In traditional Lodges, the Worshipful Master’s chair is raised above three steps. It is a reference to Jacob, a biblical character who dreams of a ladder towards the heavens. It was agreed that she had seven steps, each symbolizing a virtue, but Freemasonry only kept the last three: faith, hope and charity.
4) Enlightened
The main room has no windows, which is compensated by the high ceilings. Usually in the center, or next to the Worshipful Master’s chair, a altar supports some holy book (such as the Bible or the Torah). In some Lodges, three light sources are arranged around it, forming a right triangle.
5) Officers of the Sun
There are three positions with specific functions in the rites of initiation and passage in the Lodge: Venerable Master, First Guardian and Second Guardian. Your seats stand respectively on the east, west and south walls of the Lodge. It is a reference to three positions of the Sun: rising, setting and at its meridian point.
SOURCES BooksEncyclopedia of Freemasoney and Its Kindred SciencesIt isThe Symbolism of Freemasonryby Albert G. Mackey;The Secret Book of Freemasonryby Otavio Cohen;Born in Blood – The Lost Secrets of Freemasonryby John Robinson;Three Distinct Knocksanonymous author;Masonry Dissectedby Samuel Prichard;The Brotherhoodby Stephen Knight;Morgan’s Exposure of Free Masonryby William Morgan;Handbook of Freemasonryby Richard Carlile;Duncan’s Masoic Ritual and Monitorby Malcom C. Duncan;Low Twelve: By Their Deeds Ye Shall Know Themby Edward S. Ellis;Pamphlets on Freemasons’ Rituals and Practice in Brazil, from Princeton University; and General Ahiman Rezon, by Daniel Sickels.Articles Freemasonry: History and Historiography, by Celia M. Marinho de Azevedo; It isThe Third Degree Tracing Board, by Terry Spalding-Martin. and websitesThe New York Times,Former Masons,airtight,freemasonry.bcy.caIt isfreemasons-freemasonry.com