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

Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols 173
opening jewel of the Knights Templar
4.4 Sign Language
It may well be doubted whether human ingenuity can construct an
enigma of the kind, which human ingenuity may not, by proper
application, resolve.
Edgar A. Poe 488
This Section deals with the written form of sign language, while Sections 4.7,
4.8, and 4.9 treat the acoustic and tangible signs, such as knocks, passwords,
grips, steps, and travels. Written ciphers and mysterious alphabets were not
transmitted by the operative stonemasons of the Middle Ages but constitute a
later invention by the speculative Masons, who were already influenced by
Hermetic and Rosicrucian ideas. The operative stonemasons had no secret
alphabets but practiced a custom of leaving their personal artist's marks on the
stones in the walls of European cathedrals in order to identify their work, so that
they could receive credit or be held responsible for it. These marks, which are
still visible on many Gothic buildings, raised the interest of the Freemasons, who
took over this custom in the degree of Mark Master, in which each member has
to select a mark as his own sign of identification (cf. Section 7.1.2 on the Mark
Ritual).
In the beginning of Freemasonry, Masonic rituals were transmitted orally.
The Masons of the 18 th century treasured their secrets very dearly, and appeared
more mysterious and wonderful than today, now that literacy, education, and
science have replaced secrecy to a great extent. In Germany, to mention the
affairs of Freemasonry was considered almost a treason by Masons, and several
learned German Masons were driven out of the institution for their printing
activities. Being afraid of revealing too much, Masons published their rituals in
488 Quoted in EOF, p. 151.