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

Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols 161
initiation ceremonies why he was neither naked nor clothed, to which he replies:
"Because Masonry regards no one for his worldly wealth or honors; it is the
internal, and not the external qualifications of a man that should recommend him
to be made a Mason." 464 According to Duncan, in the Entered Apprentice degree,
the candidate has a naked left breast and a naked left knee. He wears a slipper on
his right foot, and has a bare left foot. In the Fellow Craft degree, the candidate
has a naked right breast and a naked right knee. He wears a slipper on his left
foot, and has a bare right foot. In the Master Mason degree, the candidate wears
only his shirt and drawers, so that both breasts and legs are bare, as well as both
feet (for illustrations, see Sections 8.1.1.1. - 8.1.1.3). 465 Nakedness in
Freemasonry alludes to equality before God, in contrast to the Biblical meaning
of figurative uncleanness:
Slipshod
In Scriptural symbology, nakedness denoted sin, and clothing,
protection. But the symbolism of Masonry on this subject is different.
There, to be 'neither naked nor clothed' is to make no claim through
worldly wealth or honors to preferment in Masonry, where nothing but
internal merit, which is unaffected by the outward appearance of the
body, is received as a recommendation for admission. 466
The shoe as a Masonic symbol is given different meanings. In the First
Degree, it is seen as a symbol of a covenant to be entered into. This explanation
is based on the Bible, respectively the Book of Ruth, chapter 4, verse 7-8, where
it is said that "this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming
and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe,
and gave it to his neighbor [...]" 467 as a sign of testimony. The IFL neglects this
interpretation when stating that "[d]ie in der Freimaurerei übliche S.-Symbolik
geht auf die Reinigungszeremonien zurück. Die S.-Symbolik ist also als reiner
"Konsekrationsakt" aufzufassen." 468 This is only true for the Third Degree of
Freemasonry, where the shoe is considered a symbol of discalceation 469 (this
term is derived from the Latin "calceus," meaning "shoe"). The ceremony
requires the removal of both shoes. Before entering a sacred place or walking on
holy ground, the shoes have to be taken off as a sign of reverence, just like
Moses had done in front of the Burning Bush. A reference to this Biblical scene
can be found in the Royal Arch Degree, where the Burning Bush is even one of
the stage requisites. Although the IFL fails to explain the special meaning of the
464
Duncan, p. 48.
465
Cf. ibid, p. 28; 59; 88.
466
EOF, p. 502.
467
Cited from the Bible in EOF, p. 687/688.
468
IFL, p. 1420.
469
Cf. CME, p. 213.