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

Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology 269
5. Brute Stone (Rough Ashlar) vs. Perfect Ashlar
The EOF translates "ashlar" with "freestone as it comes out of the quarry," 763
and states that the rough ashlar is such a freestone in an unpolished condition,
being emblematic of the uncultured and vicious man. By education and
restraining of his passions, man expands his intellect and purifies his life, until he
is represented by the perfect ashlar, a freestone smoothed and squared, which fits
into its place in the building. In short: "Rather obvious symbolic use is made of
the rough ashlar to represent man in his rude, natural state, and of the perfect
ashlar to represent man educated, disciplined, and cultured; or material man and
spiritual man." 764 The same symbolism is offered by the French Masonic
dictionary under the entry "pierre brute," designating a stone "informe et
attendant d'être dégrossie, à l'aide du maillet et du ciseau," and symbolizing "la
nature humaine non encore travaillée." 765 In Section 4.2 on the working tools,
and here under the category of gavel/mallet and chisel, the symbolism of these
devices is explained, which are used to represent education and to smooth away
the human vices.
This beautiful imagery has one inherent error which Coil lays open in his
encyclopedia by stating that it is a common mistake to suppose that the principal
work of the operative masons consisted in the making of square or prismatic
stones to be laid in walls. Coil argues that apprentices did this kind of work,
while the Gothic artists primarily designed and built the round and curved arches
and columns, and did the carving and sculpturing. 766
6. Cement
The trowel as the Master's symbol serves to cement the spiritual temple with
brotherly love. Thus, the cement is explained in a Masonic encyclopedia as
follows:
763 Cf. EOF, p. 81.
764 CME, p. 72.
765 DFM, p. 185.
766 Cf. CME, p. 72.
767 EOF, p. 138.
The cement which in Operative Masonry is used to unite the various
parts of a building into one strong and durable mass, is borrowed by
Speculative Masonry as a symbol to denote that brotherly love which
binds the Masons of all countries in one common brotherhood. As this
brotherhood is recognized as being perfected among Master Masons
only, the symbol is very appropriately referred to the Third Degree. 767