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

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Chapter 5 - Technical Terminology
relationship between the sun, the great symbol in these mysteries, and a wolf,
which the candidate represented at his initiation." 974 The reason for this
comparison was the resemblance of the flocks of sheep and cattle flying and
dispersing at the sight of the wolf, just as the flocks of stars disappear at the
approach of the sun's light. Hence, in Greek lukos signifies both "sun" and
"wolf."
As to the universality of the technical expression "lewis," according to the
American encyclopedia Masonry Defined this term was not adopted in the
United States as a Masonic symbol: "In this country, these rights of a lewis or a
louveteau are not recognized, and the very names were, until lately, scarcely
known, except to a few Masonic scholars." 975 In England, on the contrary, the
lewis as a working tool is still depicted in rituals among the emblems drawn on
the tracing-board of the First Degree, an example of which will be illustrated
below. The "lewis" in England, France, and Germany enjoys the privilege of
being initiated into Freemasonry earlier than all other young men, who have to
wait until they have reached the "lawful age" 976 : "By the constitutions of
England, a lewis may be initiated at the age of eighteen, while it is required of all
other candidates that they shall have arrived at the maturer age of twenty-one." 977
Correspondingly, the DFM states that "[i]l a le privilège d'être initié par priorité
en cas de pluralité de candidats en attente. Certaines constitutions, telle celle de
la Grande Loge d'Ecosse, admettent qu'il peut être initié avant l'âge légal, à dixhuit
ans, avec une dispense du Grand Maître." 978 According to French sources, a
son of a Mason has even the privilege to be initiated before a King, if several
initiations are to take place. This is supported by the German Masonic
encyclopedia, IFL 979 .
In this country [i.e., the United States] the lewis has not been adopted as
a symbol of Freemasonry, but in the English ritual it is found among the
emblems placed upon the tracing-board of the Entered Apprentice, and
is used in that degree as a symbol of strength, because by its assistance
the operative Mason is enabled to lift the heaviest stones with a
comparatively trifling exertion of physical power. Extending the
symbolic allusion still further, the son of a Mason is in England called a
lewis, because it is his duty to support the sinking powers and aid the
failing strength of his father [...]. 980
974 MD, p. 329/330.
975 MD, p. 329/330.
976 For definition of "lawful age," see MD, p. 90. The variety in the laws relating to this subject,
depending on the country, proves that the precise age for initiation, if the candidate is not a
"Lewis," was never determined by any "landmarks" of Freemasonry.
977 MD, p. 329/330.
978 DFM, p. 161/162.
979 Cf. IFL, p. 969/970.
980 MD, p. 329/330.