The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols 135
Duncan's ritual gives a detailed explanation of the illustration showing the
constellation mentioned above (virgin, scythe, etc.); allegedly, this was the
monument erected to the memory of Grand Master Hiram Abiff, who was killed
by the three ruffians:
[...] Masonic tradition informs us that there was erected to his memory a
Masonic monument, consisting of 'a beautiful virgin, weeping over a
broken column; before her was a book open; in her right hand a sprig of
acacia, in her left an urn; behind her stands Time, unfolding and
counting the ringlets of her hair.'
The beautiful virgin weeping over the broken column denotes the
unfinished state of the Temple, likewise the untimely death of our
Grand Master, Hiram Abiff; the book open before her, that his virtues
lay on perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the divinity
of the body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were therein safely
deposited, under the 'Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies,' of King
Solomon's Temple.
Time, unfolding the ringlets of her hair, denoted that time, patience,
and perseverance accomplish all things. 371
4.1.3 The Hall of the Lost Steps
In the Austrian Masonic museum, Schloß Rosenau, before entering the lodge
room, the visitor will come through a room called "Raum der verlorenen
Schritte," at whose entrance there is a sign explaining the function of this place:
Gerade in unserer Zeit is es immer schwieriger, der ständigen Hast, den
Spannungen und "Sachzwängen" unseres Alltags zu entkommen. Die
Emotionen des Augenblicks verstellen aber oft den Blick aufs
Wesentliche oder machen hastig oder ungerecht ein Urteil. Im "Raum
der verlorenen Schritte", der sich vor dem eigentlichen Logenraum
befindet, soll der Freimaurer versuchen, sich von den täglichen
Verstrickungen zu lösen, sich zu besinnen und zu sammeln. 372
Thus, the "Hall of the Lost Steps," located prior to the lodge room, is meant
as a place of retiring, tranquility, and contemplation for the Mason in order to
leave behind him his daily and business worries and free his mind for the
Masonic work that awaits him when he enters the lodge. However, this room is
not common to all countries. According to the IFL, the idea came from the
French where the room is called "le Parvis," or "la Salle des Pas Perdus." From
371 Duncan, p. 125.
372 Seen during our visit to this museum in May 2000.