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

1. Architect
Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology 263
A central term in Freemasonry is
"architect," the Masonic designation
for God being "Great Architect of the
Universe" (German: "der Größte
Baumeister aller Welten," French: "le
Grand Architecte de l'Univers"). The
concept of God being a master builder
who creates the universe with a turn
of his compasses did not originate
with the Freemasons, but expresses a
common Christian view, already
found in the Middle Ages. Proof is
this 14 th -century painting taken from
an Anglo-French Biblical history,
which shows God as the supreme geometer who holds the compasses,
symbolizing the limits of good and evil. 739 This image was taken over by the
speculative Masons, as supported by the Masonic certificate illustrated below,
dedicated to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cumberland, Grand Master,
London, 1787 - this time it is the baby Christ who holds the compasses.
Jesus as Architect, holding the compass 740
739 Illustration taken from Norman MacKenzie (ed.), p. 153.
740 Illustration reproduced from EOF, p. 719.