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

Chapter 9 - Masonic and Anti-Masonic Literature 789
the letter Y, which depicts the Masonic symbol of the 47 th problem of Euclid.
Above the lodge door we can see the Masonic square and compass. The monkey
on the left also wears an apron and makes a funny sign, his right hand touching
his nose with two fingers, and the forefinger of his left hand extended. This
constellation depicts the
procedure of giving the secret
grip and password in order to
enter a lodge which is "properly
tyled."
The cartoon called "A
'Brother' in Distress" illustrates
the obligation of a Mason to help
a fellow Mason who is in distress
(mostly financially). In this case,
the orang-utan wearing a sash
with a jewel consisting of three
interlaced circles which he is
shining in his vanity surely
represents the Master Mason. To
his right side there are two little
piggy Masons, wearing aprons
with the images of a triangle, a
circle, and a triple tau. One of
these brethren is in "distress"
because a little monkey on a
beam above him cheekily pulls
his ear. The other pig is pointing
at this scene, trying to gain the
attention of the Master who
seemingly is not very concerned.
This obviously is a hint that some Masons are too occupied with themselves and
their decorations to notice a brother in distress. The branches in the upper left
corner allude to the sprig of acacia , the Masonic symbol of immortality.
The next cartoon, "Gran'pop Goes Through the Chair," is a pun on the
Masonic expression "passing through the Chair", which means to get a higher
position after already occupying the Master's Chair in the East, e.g. becoming a
Royal Arch Mason. Here, the orang-utan Master literally goes "through" the
chair, breaking through the seat, hereby spilling the red wine from his glass right
into the mouth of a fellow piggy Mason which must be an officer, because he is
seated next to the Master on his right. The other pig "officer" on his left, wearing
a sash with the emblem of the 47 th Problem of Euclid, looks quite surprised at the
sudden breakthrough. In front of the brethren is a bench with a bottle of "hot
port" and the remains of a fruit meal, reminders of a banquet or maybe of the
"Knife & Fork Degree." The orang-utan is smoking a big cigar, underlining the
gourmet image. This cartoon is a pun at the convivial atmosphere. Above the