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You are here: Home / Featured / Geometry in Freemasonry | Symbols and Symbolism

Geometry in Freemasonry | Symbols and Symbolism

June 18, 2017 by Greg Stewart

In this episode, we explore the significance of Geometry as it relates to Freemasonry. An old attribution, its scientific and philosophical connections hold greater resonance than its computational counterparts with paper and pen.

More Masonic Symbols, here.

In the modern rituals, geometry is said to be the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry is erected; and in the Old Constitutions of the Medieval Freemasons of England the most prominent place of all the sciences is given to geometry, which is made synonymous with Masonry. Thus, in the Regius MS., which dates not later than the latter part of the fourteenth century, the Constitutions of Masonry are called “the Constitutions of the art of geometry according to Euclid,” the words geometry and Masonry being used indifferently throughout the document; and in the Harleian No . 2054 MS. it is said, “thus the craft Geometry was governed there, and that worthy Master (Euclid) gave it the name of Geometry, and it is called Masonrie in this land long after.” In another art of the same MS. it is thus defined: “The fifth science is called Geometry and it teaches a man to mete and measure of the earth and other things, which science is Masonrie.”

The Egyptians were undoubtedly one of the first nations who cultivated geometry as a science. “It was not less useful and necessary to them,” as Goguet observes (Orig. des Lois., I., iv., 4), “in the affairs of life, than agreeable to their speculatively philosophical genus.” From Egypt, which was the parent both of the sciences and the mysteries of the Pagan world, it passed over into other countries; and geometry and Operative Masonry have ever been found together, the latter carrying into execution those designs which were first traced according to the principles of the former.

Speculative Masonry is, in like manner, intimately connected with geometry. In deference to our operative ancestors, and, in fact, as a necessary result of our close connection with them, Speculative Freemasonry derives its most important symbols from this parent science. Hence it is not strange that Euclid, the most famous of geometricians, should be spoken of in all the Old Records as a founder of Masonry in Egypt, and that a special legend should have been invented in honor of his memory.

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Filed Under: Featured, Symbolism, Video Tagged With: Masonic History

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About Greg Stewart

A devoted student of the Western Mystery Traditions, Greg is a firm believer in the Masonic connections to the Hermetic traditions of antiquity, its evolution through the ages and into its present configuration as the antecedent to all contemporary esoteric and occult traditions. He is a self-called searcher for that which was lost, a Hermetic Hermit and a believer in “that which is above is so too below.” Read more about Greg Stewart.

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Comments

  1. the Noble Science & the Royal Art
    theroyalart says

    June 19, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    You know, there’s a really, really good mathematics paper on this. In particular, it covers “the moral advantages of Geometry” far better than any lecture I’ve ever heard in Lodge.

    https://www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/~piers/F-I-G_opening_ppr.pdf

    The paper was written by Dr. Piers Bursill-Hall, and it is titled “Why do we study geometry? Answers through the ages”. Even if you only read through the first five-and-a-half pages, which covers Plato’s views on the subject, it’s enlightening. I wrote a blog post about it once, but it’s always best to drink directly from the source.

  2. williamtheconquereresq
    williamtheconquereresq says

    June 22, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    Mastering the craft of Geometry ,Archeology, Geology, Petrology, Architecture, Forestry,Naturalist, Photography, Patriot of George Washington, in this awesome experience with immovable wisdom of the Almighty God of the heavens!

  3. beyondenigma777
    Beyond Enigma says

    January 11, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    Each geometrical shape comes with its own number. 3 lines creating the triangle. also in it’s 2D and 3D form. Each shape also comes with a personality archetype. Geometry is the substrate or the blueprint of course behind the physical matter as nature reveals. Each geometrical figure is a string of threads and lines energetic luminous threads in endless amounts of hues connecting with each other. Much like the string theory of quantum physics. Modern science is reverting back to esoteric science

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