The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

Chapter III. 41117. Now we are in a position to understand the phIlosophicalreason why the candidate must form the oblong square BEFORE hecan be permitted to approach the Altar. In forming the square hestates that he has been living the best life he could with his limitedand unscientific knowledge. But he had the desire for higherthings and that is WHY he lived straight. Had he not had such adesire he would not have taken the pains to be on the square in hisenvironment. Had his life been a life of vice and dissipation thisidealistic desire would, naturally, have been absent. Hence, if hecannot form the square it is because THERE IS NO ALTAR FOR HIMTO APPROACH.118. ManifestIy, if there is no Altar for him to approach, then hecannot approach a thing which does not exist. Now you can beginto see why I made the statement, some time ago, that the formingof the oblong square is the last vestige left in our ritual of some sortof examination which either took place then or had taken placebefore and was symbolized then. Get this thought fixed firmly inyour mind that if the candidate does not (cannot truthfully) formthe angle of the oblong square then there is no Altar on the floorof the Lodge for him to approach.119. But he does form the oblong square and this is now acceptedat its face value and he is conducted to the Altar where, at thissymbol of the idealistic desire in his mind, he kneels and takes hisobligation.BENDING THE KNEE120. The LEGS are symbolic of the LOWER MENTAL ACTIVITIES. Theleft leg is symbolic of the receptive lower mental activities orpowers and the covering of prejudice has been removed. Thereceptive lower mentality of the candidate is bent to the will of theMaster of the Lodge (his own Higher Self).