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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
The masks of the brethren also have a moral meaning: "Under our disguise I
have no doubt you took us for odd fellows indeed. Learn from this that men are
not always to be taken for what they appear" (p. 56). Then, the candidate
receives the four signs of the degree, which are the Entersign, the Countersign,
the Password and its Explanation, and the Grip. The Countersign consists of
three motions; first, with the thumb of the right hand in the palm thereof, the four
fingers are placed across the mouth, the back of the hand outward. Second, the
last three fingers are placed upon the thumb in the palm of the hand, while
extending the index finger, and carrying it to the right eye, the back of the hand
outward, forming a right angle with the nose. Third, the hand is dropped toward
the ground open, with the palm outward, the thumb nearly parallel with the
fingers and the hand about six inches from the body (cf. p. 57). This is a
"speaking" sign, just like the Masonic signs which express the punishment of the
obligations of the three degrees, for example, and has the following three
meanings:
The first motion signifies silence, and reminds a brother that he must
keep inviolate the secrets of the Order. The second motion signifies
Omniscience, and reminds us that the all-seeing eye of God is
continually watching over our actions. The third motion signifies
fraternity, and reminds us that the hand of a brother should always be
open to a brother of the Order. (p. 58)
The initiatory grip is also expressive of the tenets of the order, for it looks
like the link of a chain made with the hands of two brethren. It is made by
grasping with the first two fingers of the right hand the first two fingers of the
brother's right hand, thus forming a link with them. The thumb touches the ends
of the two fingers to close the link. There is no shaking of hands when this grip
is made.
After this lecture, the candidate is escorted to the Past Grand, who gives his
charge on the principles of the order, which fills four pages. Hereafter, the
candidate is led to the Secretary, where he signs the Constitution. Then, the
Noble Grand imparts further signs to the new member, the Sign of Distress 1557 ,
which can be imparted manually and/or orally as the Masonic one, and the
answer to this sign, the Sign of Recognition, the Voting Sign, and the Honors of
the Order. And herewith ends the initiatory degree of the Odd Fellows.
1557
The words to be spoken if the Sign of Distress can not be given manually are: "Give ear, O ye
Heavens!" (p. 66).