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

354
Hours
Chapter 6 - Peculiarities of Masonic Language
As ages are symbolically employed in Masonry, the hours are similarly
interpreted in the Masonic language:
The language of Masonry, in reference to the hours of labor and
refreshment, is altogether symbolical. The old lectures contained a
tradition that our ancient brethren wrought six days in the week and
twelve hours in the day, being called off regularly from labor to
refreshment.
In the French and German systems, the Craft were said to be called
from labor at low twelve, or midnight, which is therefore the supposed
or fictitious time at which a French or German Lodge is closed.
But in the English and American systems the Craft are supposed to
be called off at high twelve, and when called on again the time for
recommencing labor is said to be "one hour past high twelve;" all this
refers to Ancient Craft Masonry. 1103
We notice here the antithesis of "high twelve" and "low twelve." In the
Masonic technical language, "low twelve" means midnight. The reference is to
the sun, being then below the earth. Low twelve in Masonic symbolism is an
unpropitious hour. 1104 "Low twelve" means death, hence the burial and benefit
societies called "Low Twelve Clubs." On the contrary, "high twelve" denotes
high noon, when the sun is at the highest point or on the Meridian, and
symbolically means the bloom of life. "High Twelve Clubs" consequently are
luncheon clubs uniting Masons for a happy social hour. 1105 Where does this
symbolism come from? Daniel Ligou in his Dictionnaire de la Franc-
Maçonnerie expresses his opinion that the current explanation of "high twelve"
as the highest stage of human life is not a well-chosen one. He favors the
reasoning that the ancient operative stonemasons had the habit of interrupting
their work at noon and finishing it at dusk, and that these customs have been
taken over into the mysticism of speculative Masonry:
1103 MD, p. 283.
1104 Cf. ibid, p. 334.
1105 Cf. CME, p. 137.
Au nombre des explications données à ces allégories la plus courante est
que l'homme atteindrait la moitié de sa carrière, le "midi" de la vie avant
de pouvoir être utile à ses semblables, mais que dès ce moment, il se
doit à eux sans relâche jusqu'à la fin [...]. C'est là un exemple de
symbolisme "tiré par les cheveux", car il s'en faut que la jeunesse soit
une période improductive et c'est beaucoup exiger de la vieillesse, à
l'inverse, que de demeurer jusqu'à la mort sur la brèche. Meilleure serait
l'explication que ces heures ne sont simplement que la survivance des