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

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Symbols of the First Degree
4.6.1 The Lamb
Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols
In Freemasonry, as well as in Christianity, the lamb is a symbol of innocence
and plays a role insofar as the white lambskin apron given to the Entered
Apprentice alludes to this virtue: "The Lamb has, in all ages, been deemed an
emblem of innocence; the lambskin is, therefore, to remind him of that purity of
life and conduct [...]." 582 As shown in Section 4.3.1 on Masonic clothing, the
investiture of neophytes with white aprons or robes was already practiced by the
ancient Greeks, Indians, and Persians for the same reason.
4.6.2 Jacob's Ladder
In Sickels' The General Ahiman Rezon it is stated that all good Masons hope
at last to arrive in the starry-decked heaven, or clouded canopy, the covering of
the lodge, by the help of the "theological ladder,"
582 Sickels, p. 74.
583 Ibid, p. 78.
which JACOB, in his vision, saw reaching from earth to heaven; the
three principal rounds of which are denominated FAITH, HOPE, and
CHARITY; which admonishes us to have faith in God, hope in
immortality, and charity to all mankind. The greatest of these is
CHARITY: for our faith may be lost in sight; hope ends in fruition; but
charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of
eternity. 583
Jacob's Ladder with three steps