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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
The candidate equipped with the crow is instrumental in detecting the hidden
arch. The crow is defined thus: "It is used by operative masons to describe circles
- every part of the circumference of which is equally near and equally distant
from its centre; so is every creature whom God hath made equally near and
equally dear." 1379
Now, the candidates find a secret vault and bring to the light the buried
secrets. If the Chapter room has a well, one of the candidates is really lowered
down the "vault" with a cabletow seven times around his body, and discovers in
it a strange box, on its top three squares and a keystone. If the Chapter room is
more modestly furnished, these items are lying on the floor under a cover, and
the Principal Sojourner merely explains the ceremony, removing the covering.
Emblems of the Royal Arch Degree
1379 Duncan, p. 264. Here, we notice the resemblance between the symbolism of the "crow" of the
Royal Arch Degree, and the "compass" of Craft Masonry.