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

Chapter 6 - Peculiarities of Masonic Language 371
[...] that the symbolism of numbers is predominant 1179 over other
Masonic symbolism, for both Geometry and Astronomy exceed it. [...]
It is quite absurd to assume that the operative Freemasons, who
constructed those remarkable examples of architecture in the Gothic
style [...], were adepts of abracadabras, lucky numbers, and other
bewitching incantations. There was no more room for such absurdities
then than there is now among the builders of a modern sky-scraper. 1180
However, a certain amount of numeral symbolism infiltrated the Masonic
teachings, and the first traces of numerology must have been brought into
speculative Freemasonry when it developed out of operative masonry in the 17 th
and 18 th centuries. As shown in Chapter 2, the non-operative members who were
made accepted Masons brought with them metaphysical and transcendental
ideas, since they partly exercised Christian professions and also were marked by
Rosicrucian influence. To show all the directions of influence, the following will
give one example taken from the ritual of the "Royal Order of Herodem of
Kilwinning" (question-and-answer dialogue from the 2 nd section of the first
degree), which combines Christian, philosophical, and hermetic numerology:
Q: How many Knights are necessary to constitute a Chapter of the
Royal Order of Herodem?
A: Nine.
Q: Why?
A: For three reasons.
Q: Will you tell me the first?
A: Because there are three divisions in numbers which teach us so
to number our days as to apply ourselves to wisdom.
Q: Will you give me the second?
A: Because there are nine muses in harmony, which refine and
polish human nature.
Q: Will you name them to me?
A: Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato,
Polyhymnia, Urania, and Thalia.
Q: Will you give me the third reason?
A: Because there are nine orders of angels in the celestial
hierarchy.
Q: Will you name them?
A: Cherubim and Seraphim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities,
Powers, Virtues, Archangels and Angels. 1181
1179 Such a claim is made by Albert G. Mackey, for instance. Thus, he states in his EOF, p. 520: "It is
not [...] surprising that the most predominant of all symbolism in Freemasonry is that of numbers."
1180 CME, p. 451.
1181 Cf. quotation in GHCDF, p. 267/268.