Through the Key Hole - RoseCroix.org.au

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CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES
& FREEMASONRY
There are suggestions as well as some evidence, perhaps mostly
legendary in nature, that the first Masonic lodges in China were
established in the 1700’s. Freemasonry was certainly operating in
the 1800’s, however, it is part of the common domain of knowledge
that secret societies have existed in China since time immemorial,
many centuries before Freemasonry came officially into existence,
YET there are some striking similarities, so striking in fact that one
wonders…..!
In 1027 BC there was the Most Ancient Order of the Swastika, allegedly
founded by an individual by the name of Fohi. It is said to
have consisted of three degrees of membership namely (1) Brother
Apprentice, (2) Doctor of Reason and (3) Grand Master.
Of world-wide fame, or perhaps notoriety, are the Triads. Many
writers have pointed out the analogies between the Triad Society
and Freemasonry and have sought to find positive connections.
Gustave Schlegel, for example, in his “Thian-li-Hui” (Heaven-Earth
League) proposes that when the human race began to spread from
the plains of Middle Asia, Freemasonry existed at that time and
divided itself into two streams, one going to the West and the other
to the East where it found fertile soil in China.
The analogies suggested are as follows:
1. A triangle is the symbol of the Triad Society.
2. The altar symbols are a foot rule, scales and weights.
3. Triads use a system of secret signs and grips.
4. Members are brethren by name as well as by initiation.
5. They are said to worship one God.
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Although the former version makes more sense there are a number
of persons who reject both versions.
I am inclined ( This is Waite speaking of course!) to think that
Elizabeth St. Leger was initiated in her father’s house as the consequence
of a girl’s escapade. The statement is that she received
two degrees, suggesting that this was the number of degrees
worked in Ireland prior to 1717.
Mrs Beaton—There is also cited the case of Mrs Beaton, who dies
at St. John Maddermarket, Norwich in 1802 at the age of 85.
Twenty seven years after her death it was put on record that she
concealed herself one evening behind the wainscot of a lodge
room where “ she learned the secret” and carried it with her to the
grave. How she became a Freemason in view of this incident I do
not pretend to explain, but she is said to have passed by this title
among the people about her.
Madame de Xaintrailles— The heroine of this story—concerning
which the common conventional trumpery has been talked by Masonic
annalists, was the wife of a general and she obtained a
commission and served as an aide-de-camp, wearing masculine
attire.
On a certain occasion the Lodge of Frères-Artistes in Paris had
opened in the First Degree, when a visitor presented himself in
the uniform of a captain of cavalry and being asked to produce his
certificate, handed in his commission.
It was clear, afterwards, that Madame Xaintrailes had prosecuted
the campaign with great zeal and fidelity and had won her spurs,
so to speak. It was “reprehensible, ” it was ”outrage”, but it is
pointed out that the Master and brethren were Sons of France
and, fired with the sense of her valour, they offered her initiation
on the spot. She replied with the perfection of gallantry: “ I have
been a man for my country, and I will be man again for my brethren.”
They made her an Entered Apprentice.