Symbols and their meanings

[leonardo]

This guy knows his symbols.

www.randomhouse.com/doubleday/davinci/robertlangdon/#

[Late Knight Chemist]

Much care is required when we discuss symbols and even the meanings of words in common usage.

There are different interpretations for the Triple Tau. All or none may be right. Importantly the absolute or definitive origins of many have been lost in the mists of time.

In my view we should consider many simple geometric symbols as mere pictograms that have been adopted as reminders of something, a saying, a combination of words, etc, that in ancient times were passed on by word of mouth before we had alphabets. Thus a triangle represents "three" and can be used to remind us of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, or Faith, Hope and Charity. Today, we might use a mnemonic.

Words change their meanings over time. Today the word "virgin" has a specific meaning but in biblical times it may merely have meant a young woman. What was meant by the word "angel" in ealry biblical days?

When Moses came down from the Mount he saw the use of the calf and we "assume" the concept of pagan idol worship. Equally, models of calves could merely have been devices of thanksgiving at a time when the peoples of the exodus were struggling to find food and were forced to sacrifice and eat their beasts of burden.

Ask "why?" of many "religious" symbols and practices accepted today and one might be very surprised with the mundane answers. Why, for example, is headdress important in the Mosaic religions, and, for that matter Sikhism? Remember it was not so very long ago that women were expected always to wear headdress in Christian churches. A bishop's attire includes a hat. Why? (Rhetorical)

I do not intend to post my thoughts to a Masonic forum. Some will be extremely contentious and could disturb the harmony that should prevail in a forum such as this.

[whistler]

Late Knight Chemist. The Harmony of this Forum is not disturbed by opinion, we all respect other views, we certainly do not rubbish others opinions on symbols, after all they may be correct and our own may be wrong or the other way around.
Your Comment "Today the word "virgin" has a specific meaning but in biblical times it may merely have meant a young woman" I understand in the times of Jesus a woman was a virgin, until after she was married, which she didn't do until she proved she was capable of producing a child." and Hey I might be wrong -.
For every mundane symbolic meaning there will be an alternative meaning - that is the great thing about Staff's Forum we can consider all in harmony

[aaron]

does it ever bother any of you that you are part of somthing but dont know what a lot of things in its culture mean?

this is a thing that makes me always wonder about masons

[bod]

It's called an exchange of ideas, philosophising.....that kind of thing

[leonardo]

Aaron said:

does it ever bother any of you that you are part of somthing but dont know what a lot of things in its culture mean?

this is a thing that makes me always wonder about masons

Aaron.

The expression "You cannot explain colours to a blind man " comes immediately to mind. No matter where you look you will always find "faults", if that's what you're aiming for. May I suggest that you try to approach learning about Freemasonry without the excess mental baggage you've obviously picked up through the years.

I do not mean to criticise, it's just that I feel you are approaching this all wrong. Clearly you do have an interest in learning about the craft, but I can assure you you will learn far more quickly and gain much more insight if you try your search from the perspective of an open mind.

Stay and continnue to learn

[whistler]

Aaron said:

does it ever bother any of you that you are part of somthing but dont know what a lot of things in its culture mean?

this is a thing that makes me always wonder about masons

Aaron
My Understanding is that some of our culture goes back to MU
Then my understanding of the Freemasonry will be different to yours
and both of us may be wrong-
The thing we may have in common we are both looking for the light ;D

[symbol]

Aaron said:

does it ever bother any of you that you are part of somthing but dont know what a lot of things in its culture mean?

this is a thing that makes me always wonder about masons

To be honest this statement can be said of most things in todays society,
certainly religion, where from my experience few really understand whats going on with reference to symbols and meanings, they go along with it all and enjoy the parts they need.

Masonry is no exception some know lots about some areas where others know a little about it all and many in between, this does not lessen the enjoyment one gets, and im sure its a life time study, as is anything worthwhile.
It is hard to grasp in todays need for instant satisfaction that there are still pastimes that cannot be fulfied in a month or two.
I do not know all my national history , i do however know some pre - history and some early religeous history ( not much ) but enough to know where alot of symbols and beliefs come from, but NOT all.
So saying that, should i be concerned that i and many others live in todays England and not know what know what alot of our culture means, no not really, maybe the question can be put back to yourself, How do you feel Arron living in a country where maybe you have little understanding of its history or culture(maybe you do).
Im not trying to wind you up Arron
I love my computer ( Mac of course) but i have no idea how the bloody thing works, does it lessen my enjoyment?, no not one bit. But i am learning and thats the important thing, learning by doing.

Thanks for the question Arron, hope i havent gone on too long or been too vague, Im not as eloquent as many writers here. ( to me its not long answers about light or dark, its been part of something that has more answers than i have questions,)
The Festive are a real laugh too, i dont need to understand any more than a cork screw, now THAT might bother me)

[Hubert (N. Z.)]

JudasImok, If you are in the HRA you will no doubt have discovered "the key to the treasure" and "the place where a precious thing is hidden"
For me this degree, and especially the second part of the exhaultation into it, is the Crux of All masonic teachings, if not the the ultimate goal/Grail of ALL spiritual endeavour.
Unfortunally, that to me, is one of the real secrets of Freemasonry so I can go no further in explanation on a web site. But all HRA Brn. should work around what that particular degree reveals.

[Hubert (N. Z.)]

Late nKnight Chemist:
Some suggest that the wearing of a hat, by the really spiritual awakened, is to protect the fontinel or Crown Chakra once it has been opend fully.
In raising the Kundalini energy from the base chakram up the spinal column the penultimate chakra is the Crown. Once this has been opened the energy can then decend to the Pineal Gland or chakra associted with it and atransformation occurs.
Interesting that some reptiles use this gland (Pineal) to change their "spots".
This however should only be done for purely selfless reasons, and for the benefit of the Comos, but then once having attained that stature, this comes naturally. But none the less in the mundane world it should be "hidden" from the unsrcupulous and treated with reverence as for example a Bishops' Staff.

[taylorsman]

Interesting Bro Hubert. Does that explain the prevalence of pointed hats in various Religions etc?

As an example the Bishop's Mitre, or the pointed hat often seen to be worn by Wizards? The Pope wears a headpiece at his Coronation which is pointed and with three diadems .

[Hubert (N. Z.)]

It is also reckoned that the Bishops" Mitre is in the form of a Womans' breast. So has the Pope 3 of these on his head?
Seriously tho' The breast is Mundane sustinence, whilst that from the Crown chakra is spiritual.

[taylorsman]

Yesterday I was at Knight Templar Priests where we wear Mitres. The Ordinary Priests wear a small Mitre rather like that of an Abbot or Prior, those who have attained the Rank of High Priest wear a taller Mitre similar to that of a Bishop.

[offramp]

Any chess players out there?

I have just found an interesting but ultimately trivial essay regarding chess pieces and freemasonry:
www.goddesschess.com/chessays/stauntonpawn.html

[taylorsman]

I can play at Chess, that's all. The computer thrashes me at the lowest level and so can a 7 year old kid. There is an old maxim, "There are those who play AT Chess, those who PLAY CHESS, and CHESS PLAYERS" I am in the first category.

An interesting article to say the least. I had never thought of Chessmen in a Masonic context. Ironically, there is a "Board Game" as it where using pieces like pawns and a board with a Lodge layout to assist Brethren to learn Floorwork etc.

[staffs]

I have lso seen a computer programme based on a temple with figuresthat you can position representing the officers of the lodge to assist with practicing thepositions of the three cerem,onies although i did not dee the point other than a learning aid

[offramp]

Here it is; though I have found it of limited use:

"Please visit my home page at www.workingtools.org.uk and enter the Masonic section (requires latest Flash plug-in).

The username is masonic
The password is forum

Upon entering the "lodge", when asked to give the required information, please use numeric value for the degree number, and lowercase with no spaces for the pw's."

MANY APOLOGIES TO ALL!! This site and the Perambulation thing is not by me!
I was quoting a reply made by the author of the Device whose name I have forgotten!
Sincere apologies to all of you and especially the author himself if he should read this.
It is my own fault as my original post was rather laxily done.
Sincere apologies to all!

[staffs]

Offramp.i have seen this before and it is what i was talking about on my previous post.

Apart from a learning aid to showw others where they should be can anyone tell me how else this may be used.

[staffs]

Offramp i like your homepage and i know yopu are well into symbols and their meanings and noted the point within a circle from the FDTB.
This was the symbol on the cufflinks i was given for christmas.

[taylorsman]

Thanks Offramp, very useful indeed!