The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined together) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.
Today the new Square and Compass that I ordered for Specialis Procer came. It will rest on the Altar of the Lodge along with the Bible. Together these are called the "three Great Lights" and no Lodge (in Iowa) may meet without them on the Altar. In some places the Bible is not used but another Volume of Sacred Law (VSL) is placed on the Altar. At Specialis Procer and in my other Lodge (Arcadia) we have three Volumes on the Altar including the Jewish and Muslim Holy Books. This signifies to us that we are to be a religious people (although no other religious test is given except that a petitioner must believe in a Supreme Being) and are to live by the rules of our faith.
I found this explanation on a blog:
"The three Great Lights of Masonry, are the Bible, or Oral Law, contains in its symbolism the knowledge gained by investigating nature's laws in the remote past. The Compass and Square, or Written Law, represent the actual forces of nature. The square relates to the physical world, to the realm of effects, and the compass relates to the inner planes, the realm of causes. Together they embrace all natural law, and exemplify the Hermetic Axiom: 'As it is above, so it is below.' Lectures declare that the Bible was given to the Craft to rule and govern their faith; the Square, to square their actions; the Compass, to keep them within bounds with all men, particularly with a brother.
The Square is simply two arms placed together at a right angle of 90 degrees. It is used to check the stones of a building to see if they will fit together. We can square our actions by checking to see if they are ones that will fit us to that spiritual building so that we do "dwell together in harmony" in that "good and pleasant" way.
It is a small, plain square, unmarked and with legs of equal length, a simple try-square used for testing the accuracy of angles, and the precision with which stones are cut. since the try-square was used to prove that angles were right, it naturally became an emblem of accuracy, integrity, rightness. As stones are cut to fit into a building, so our acts and thoughts are built together into a structure of Character.{...}
The tiny try-square has always been a symbol of mortality, of the basic rightness which must be the test of every act and the foundation of character and society.
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So, everywhere, in our craft and outside, the square has taught its simple truth which does not grow old. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire recovered a very curious relic, in the form of an old brass square found under the foundation of an ancient bridge near Limerick, in 1830. On it was inscribed the date, 1517, and the following words:
"I will Strive to live with love and care Upon the Level. By the Square."
The compass, which is used to draw circles, represents the realm of the spiritual- eternity. It is symbolic of the defining and limiting principle, and also of infinite boundaries.
When the candidate is received into the Lodge for his Third Degree he is told that he should never lose sight of the Masonic application of that "useful and valuable instrument that teaches friendship, morality and brotherly love." He is taught that the vital part of Masonry is contained within the two points of the Compass.
Together, the compass and square represent the convergence of matter and spirit, and the convergence of earthly and spiritual responsibilities. The two symbols together form a hexagram, the union of earth with the heavens, matter and mind, etc.It is all together fitting and proper that the Mason should use the Square to square his actions and the Compass to keep himself within the bounds that Freemasonry requires. They, together with the Volume of Sacred Law, teach the whole of Masonry and we should contemplate their lessons daily. We wear them on our fingers and our lapels. We mark our buildings and documents with them. They are the most recognized symbol of our fraternity and we look to them for direction and guidance.
Thanks for stopping by, Hugs, jcs
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