The first mention of the letter in American Masonic writings was in 1767 in the work Tubal Cain, which contains the lecture on the letter “G.” There are writings from before that time which suggest that it was actually part of the old lectures. Dr. Oliver makes reference to the lectures and a French publication suggests that it was first introduce on the European continent and then imported to America.

In Georgia, the University of Georgia is most everyone’s favorite college football team. The letter G, usually in red, white and black, standing for the University of Georgia, adorns autos, on license tags, bumper stickers and rear window decals, and is a commonly seen symbol in everyday life, especially during the fall football season.

Several years ago I was having dinner with my sister, who didn’t know I was a Mason and who really didn’t know much about Freemasonry. She noticed the Masonic ring I was wearing, which has a G inside the square and compasses. After a moment of her staring at my ring, she asked me, incredulously but in all sincerity, when I became a Georgia fan, since she knew I had graduated from UGA’s biggest rival, Georgia Tech.

Personally, I think the G is greatly misunderstood in American Freemasonry. It’s come to mean, perhaps because of the letter G lecture added to the ritual at a late date, “God,” but, as your article states, “God” isn’t God’s name, nor do the words for God in languages other than English necessarily begin with the letter G.

Nor does it stand for Geometry. Or even Generation, which is another possible meaning sometimes given.

Why, indeed, does it “stand for,” or be an initial of, anything?

I think it’s a representation of Ouroboros, the serpent swallowing its own tail. In other words, it represents infinity, or an unending cycle or circle of life. Because of its similarity to the English letter G, over time it has now come to be thought of as a G, and so, lectures were written and new meanings eventually applied.

Widow’s Son
BurningTaper.com

We were chartered in 1754, before the “G” was added by many Masons in the United States.

This is to be a subject of an upcoming blog post.

You are too hard on yourself. We are on a free trade system here… I say something wrong and you educate me and vice versa…. There are no mistakes. Remember we are all rough ashler and there is always some way to smooth and perfect each and every one of us, especially me. I just shared the little bit of info I felt you would find interesting and helpful in your journey…