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

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Chapter 6 - Peculiarities of Masonic Language
keystone of Masonry. Thus, he had created an appropriate design to symbolize
the Masonic wages. 1143
6.13 Metaphors
In Masonic writings, metaphors are certainly the most employed rhetorical
figures. They do not deal exclusively with the stonemasons' trade and its
symbols, but can stem from any semantic field one can think of. The following
small collection is categorized and sustained with textual examples. First, there
are some metaphors that exist for expressing that somebody is a Mason. This
avowal sometimes has to be made in a veiled form, without pronouncing the
word "Mason," so that the profanes do not notice it. Therefore, metaphors can be
employed like "he knew the mystic numbers," or "he wore the apron": "Almost
all the great marshals and generals of Napoleon, including the three kings,
Joseph, Murat and Bernadotte knew the mystic numbers [...]." 1144 "Franklin sat
with Lalande in the same Lodge in which Helvetius had worn the apron." 1145
This paraphrasing guarantees more secrecy. However, this is not always
necessary, for in most cases the circumscription is used for aesthetic reasons
only. Metaphors like this can easily be made up. For example, it is only
necessary to recollect the special features of a Worshipful Master. He was the
only one who was allowed to wear a hat in the lodge. 1146 Thus, to say "he wore
the hat for five years," would be the same as stating "he was the Master of this
lodge for five years." Another example - one could substitute the metaphor "he
sat in the Oriental Chair," or "he sat in the East," or "he occupied the Seat of
King Solomon" - all of which means that he was a Worshipful Master sitting in
his proper station in the East of the lodge. 1147 If one said, "he sat in the South," it
would designate a Junior Warden, and if one stated that "he distributed the wages
in the West for thirty years," one would mean that he was a Senior Warden for
thirty years, giving the craftsmen their reward. 1148 One could say "he received his
first light in 1999," which would mean he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice
and "given Masonic light" in the corresponding ceremony in the year 1999. If
one would add "he received more light in the following year," this would mean
that he advanced in taking his degrees. 1149 One could say "last year he gave his
first three distinct knocks on the door," 1150 meaning "last year he became an
1143
Cf. Pollard, p. 86/87.
1144
Pike, The Meaning of Masonry, p. 9.
1145
Pike, The Meaning of Masonry, p. 9.
1146
Cf. GHCDF, p. 164.
1147
Cf. Anonymous ("Compiled by a member of the Craft."), The Text Book of Freemasonry, p. 199,
describing the Ceremony of Installation: "[...] I place you in the Chair of King Solomon [...]."
1148
For the stations of the two Wardens, cf. Nizzardini, p. 3.
1149
Cf. Duncan, p. 45; 81.
1150
Cf. ibid, p. 43, First Degree catechism: "How gained you admission?" - "By three distinct
knocks."