The Official Logo of Bataan Lodge No. 104
SQUARE AND COMPASSES
Speculative Masonic Symbolism of the Square and Compasses
In speculative Freemasonry, this emblematic symbol is used in Masonic ritual.
The Square is an emblem of virtue in which we must "square our actions by the square of virtue with all mankind".
The Compasses exemplify our wisdom of conduct,... the strength to "circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds".
When these 2 Masonic tools are placed together with God (the Creator) as our central focal point... (just as King Solomon built God's Temple, first... and then built his house around it), peace and harmony is the result.
THE LETTER "G"
"G" stands for God, and is to remind Masons that God is at the center of Freemasonry. In this context it can also stand for Great Architect of the Universe (a reference to God). In a different context, the letter stands for Geometry, described as being the "noblest of sciences", and "the basis upon which the superstructure of Freemasonry is erected."
THE SUN
The "Sun" as the source of material light reminds the Mason of that intellectual light of which he is in constant search. The Worshipful Master who rules and governs his Lodge is said to be the symbol of the rising sun in the east. The sun, therefore is the symbol of sovereignty, the hieroglyphic of royalty; and signifies absolute authority.
COLORS
Red is the color of fire, and fire was to the Egyptians the symbol of the regeneration and the purification of souls. Hence, in the Masonic system, red is the symbol of regeneration of life.
Yellow was to the ancients the symbol of light. Though unemphasized and seemingly almost unrecognised in Masonry yellow is, nevertheless, a true Masonic symbolic color since it symbolizes to the Mason that Great Thing to the finding of which his Masonic Search is devoted and to the source of which his Masonic pathway leads the Light of Truth.
Blue was the symbol of perfection to the Hebrews, to the Druids the symbol of Truth, to the Chinese the symbol of Deity, and to the medieval Christians it was the symbol of immortality. So, for the Mason, the color of his Master Mason's lodge is the symbol of perfection, truth, immortality and Deity.
Finally and preeminently, and following the teachings and conceptions of the Egyptians aald the Hindoos, blue is the symbol of that which the Craftsman must, since he is a Mason, always revere and of that which his Master Mason's lodge must, when its work and its teachings are properly understood and accepted, cause him to Progressively revere the more Divine Wisdom.
White is the symbol of purity, the reasons for adopting this conception being obvious. Therefore, in Masonry it is, properly, the color adopted for certain of the garments of investiture of the candidate.
The two Pillars Jachin and Boaz
Entering King Solomon’s Temple from the eastern gateway, one would immediately notice the two huge freestanding columns, freestanding as these columns did not support a roof or overhead structure. Different views have been expressed as to the actual purpose of the columns, whether they were pillars, obelisks, fire altars, incense stands, or “trees of life.” Popular opinion among most scholars is that these columns, because of their tremendous size, the names given them, and the elaborate capitals placed on top of each, are not of an architectural necessity but purely decorative or symbolic in nature.
.....The columns were hollow bronze castings with a wall thickness equivalent to four fingers thick and having a 6’ 10” diameter, 30’ 8" height, and capitals 8’ 6" tall. The capitals or decorative tops placed upon the shafts were also made of bronze. They were prepared with images of pomegranates, covered network and wreaths, giving the capitals the appearance of imitating the shape of the seed vessel of the lotus or Egyptian lily, a sacred symbol to the Hindus and Egyptians.
.....The column to the left was named Boaz. On this column was etched in Hebrew the phrase “May the Lord establish the throne of David and his Kingdom for his seed forever.” The column to the right was named Jachin, and its inscription read “In the strength of the Lord shall the king rejoice.” Entered apprentices stowed their working tools within the column Jachin.
In turn, Masonry has traditionally set globes upon the tops of the two columns: the celestial globe, symbolic of the spiritual part of our composite nature, and the terrestrial globe, symbolic of our material part. If a Mason is learned in Kabalah (an ancient Jewish mystical tradition), he may delve into more complex symbolism whereby each column or globe represents, among other things, wisdom and understanding, the active and passive principles, positive and negative. This is a complex and advanced level of esoteric thought which usually takes a lifetime of study to comprehend fully.
.....The two columns are probably the most familiar fixture of King Solomon’s Temple to Freemasons and nearly as familiar a Masonic symbol as the Square and Compasses. As all Masonic Temples are symbolic representations of King Solomon’s Temple, the columns are our closest physical link to the original structure.
The Three Stars
The three stars symbolized the three degrees of masonry.
The Entered Apprentice Degree, Fellowcraft Degree, and Master Mason Degree.
The Entered Apprentice Degree emphasized beginnings, spiritual birth, the first steps and youth, orientation to the Light, which are all consistent with a rite of induction into the Fraternity. The Second Degree of Fellowcraft symbolizes the methods of developing and progressing in the Craft; and, in a sense, the emergence into spiritual manhood. Therefore we find symbols of advancement, passage, instruction and elevation throughout this Degree. We find symbolism of taking the next step and a new way of approaching the East. What was considered in the last Degree to be our weaker nature has now been squared and elevated. While keeping our fidelity to the Three Great Lights, we deepen our connection with the Fraternity and take on new commitments. Our Working Tools are now testing instruments. With them we try, aquare and prove. With them we learn to develop the faculty of judgement: what is valuable, what is true, what is real.
The central motif of this Degree being one of advancement we are presented with the symbol of the Winding Staircase consisting of so many steps and leading to the Middle Chamber of the Temple. Staircases, ladders, extended vertical ropes, and mountains are all symbols of ascending to new heights. Gaining entrance to a new place symbolizes a distinct advancement in our work as Freemasons. Attaining this level give us access to certain benefits that we are not entitled to before. These benefits are symbolized by Corn, Wine, and Oil. There are other things granted here as well. We become invested with the ability to hear the teaching of our Fraternity and keep them close to our heart. Finally, we are reminded of our central focus in the symblolism of the letter and the humility it should inspire.
The Trowel:
Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.
The Map of Bataan Peninsula:
The Bataan Peninsula is a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. It separates the Manila Bay from the South China Sea. The peninsula features Mount Natib (1,253 m) in the north and the Mariveles Mountains in the south, which includes Mount Samat, the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March.
The Bataan Province is located on this peninsula. Defeated in the Battle of Bataan during World War II, after the fall of the fortress of Corregidor the Bataan death march took place down the Bataan Peninsula. The captured allied forces were forced to march off the peninsula to internment camps under brutal and horrid conditions suffering many hundreds of cruel war crimes on the road, where they were allowed little water and even prohibited from relieving bodily functions.
Cable tow:
The Cable Tow is part of the dress of a candidate in which he agrees to go to the aid of a Brother with all his power..."if it be within the length of his tow rope.
The length of rope is symbolic of the first brother's abilities.
It is defined also as a cable's length, which is symbolically measured as 3 miles for an Entered Apprentice.
With its 2 ends, it binds a Mason to the Fraternity as well as bonds the Fraternity to the Mason.
Black from the remotest antiquity has been the symbol of grief and such is its significance to the Mason.
The two Pillars Jachin and Boaz
Entering King Solomon’s Temple from the eastern gateway, one would immediately notice the two huge freestanding columns, freestanding as these columns did not support a roof or overhead structure. Different views have been expressed as to the actual purpose of the columns, whether they were pillars, obelisks, fire altars, incense stands, or “trees of life.” Popular opinion among most scholars is that these columns, because of their tremendous size, the names given them, and the elaborate capitals placed on top of each, are not of an architectural necessity but purely decorative or symbolic in nature.
.....The columns were hollow bronze castings with a wall thickness equivalent to four fingers thick and having a 6’ 10” diameter, 30’ 8" height, and capitals 8’ 6" tall. The capitals or decorative tops placed upon the shafts were also made of bronze. They were prepared with images of pomegranates, covered network and wreaths, giving the capitals the appearance of imitating the shape of the seed vessel of the lotus or Egyptian lily, a sacred symbol to the Hindus and Egyptians.
.....The column to the left was named Boaz. On this column was etched in Hebrew the phrase “May the Lord establish the throne of David and his Kingdom for his seed forever.” The column to the right was named Jachin, and its inscription read “In the strength of the Lord shall the king rejoice.” Entered apprentices stowed their working tools within the column Jachin.
In turn, Masonry has traditionally set globes upon the tops of the two columns: the celestial globe, symbolic of the spiritual part of our composite nature, and the terrestrial globe, symbolic of our material part. If a Mason is learned in Kabalah (an ancient Jewish mystical tradition), he may delve into more complex symbolism whereby each column or globe represents, among other things, wisdom and understanding, the active and passive principles, positive and negative. This is a complex and advanced level of esoteric thought which usually takes a lifetime of study to comprehend fully.
.....The two columns are probably the most familiar fixture of King Solomon’s Temple to Freemasons and nearly as familiar a Masonic symbol as the Square and Compasses. As all Masonic Temples are symbolic representations of King Solomon’s Temple, the columns are our closest physical link to the original structure.
The Three Stars
The three stars symbolized the three degrees of masonry.
The Entered Apprentice Degree, Fellowcraft Degree, and Master Mason Degree.
The Entered Apprentice Degree emphasized beginnings, spiritual birth, the first steps and youth, orientation to the Light, which are all consistent with a rite of induction into the Fraternity. The Second Degree of Fellowcraft symbolizes the methods of developing and progressing in the Craft; and, in a sense, the emergence into spiritual manhood. Therefore we find symbols of advancement, passage, instruction and elevation throughout this Degree. We find symbolism of taking the next step and a new way of approaching the East. What was considered in the last Degree to be our weaker nature has now been squared and elevated. While keeping our fidelity to the Three Great Lights, we deepen our connection with the Fraternity and take on new commitments. Our Working Tools are now testing instruments. With them we try, aquare and prove. With them we learn to develop the faculty of judgement: what is valuable, what is true, what is real.
The central motif of this Degree being one of advancement we are presented with the symbol of the Winding Staircase consisting of so many steps and leading to the Middle Chamber of the Temple. Staircases, ladders, extended vertical ropes, and mountains are all symbols of ascending to new heights. Gaining entrance to a new place symbolizes a distinct advancement in our work as Freemasons. Attaining this level give us access to certain benefits that we are not entitled to before. These benefits are symbolized by Corn, Wine, and Oil. There are other things granted here as well. We become invested with the ability to hear the teaching of our Fraternity and keep them close to our heart. Finally, we are reminded of our central focus in the symblolism of the letter and the humility it should inspire.
The Trowel:
Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.
The Map of Bataan Peninsula:
The Bataan Peninsula is a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. It separates the Manila Bay from the South China Sea. The peninsula features Mount Natib (1,253 m) in the north and the Mariveles Mountains in the south, which includes Mount Samat, the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March.
The Bataan Province is located on this peninsula. Defeated in the Battle of Bataan during World War II, after the fall of the fortress of Corregidor the Bataan death march took place down the Bataan Peninsula. The captured allied forces were forced to march off the peninsula to internment camps under brutal and horrid conditions suffering many hundreds of cruel war crimes on the road, where they were allowed little water and even prohibited from relieving bodily functions.
Cable tow:
The Cable Tow is part of the dress of a candidate in which he agrees to go to the aid of a Brother with all his power..."if it be within the length of his tow rope.
The length of rope is symbolic of the first brother's abilities.
It is defined also as a cable's length, which is symbolically measured as 3 miles for an Entered Apprentice.
With its 2 ends, it binds a Mason to the Fraternity as well as bonds the Fraternity to the Mason.
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