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Posted at: 3:18 pm ** THIS BLOG MAY ALSO BE TITLED “NOT-SO INFORMED MASON WRITES A BLOG” Don’t worry guys, he was thoroughly punished after this hit the site ** Since I first started my research in Masonic studies I have always wondered why the Freemasons in the United States use the letter ‘G’ in their lectures and in their square and compasses. The Freemasons of the rest of the world don’t (at least in their depiction of the square and compasses on their paraphernalia). I have always had a penchant for the traditional and traditional Freemasonry usually omits the letter ‘G’ in it’s myriad of symbols. In lodges across the world with the exception of the U.S. there is usually a delta suspended in the East. This symbol is fitting for both of the definitions that we in the U.S. give the letter ‘G’. It is both an ancient symbol for Deity and it is a symbol of perfect or sacred geometry. As we all know everything in the lodge room is a symbol or combination of symbols with a corresponding meaning. Having a delta in the East would continue this sentiment. So why was the delta substituted for the ‘G’? I have not been able to find any other reason as to why the U.S. uses it except to distinguish ourselves, in a way, from other Freemasons around the world. If one sees a S&Q with a ‘G’ in the middle, they know that they are a Mason from the U.S. Okay, I guess it’s nice to have our own take on Masonic symbolism that makes the U.S. unique to the rest, but I don’t think it properly illustrates the degree of importance of that one symbol sufficiently. The arguement has been made before that the name of God doesn’t start with the letter ‘G’ in most languages (actually I think the name of Deity in a lot of languages starts with ‘D’), and because of this the symbol is not universally recognized by Masons not from the U.S. I was under the impression that although symbols may have different meanings to different people, a Masonic symbol is used in the Masonic context for the purpose of recognizing your Brethren and having a mutual understanding and respect for that man who has taken like obligations and responsibilities. In my opinion, the letter ‘G’ makes our most recognized emblem look more like a logo instead of a symbol. A symbol is supposed to conceal from the uninitiated and teach the adepts. A delta may have many meanings, but if it is in the East of a Masonic lodge then the brethren may know its meaning and even aspire to study further the historical significance of that simple symbol. Now, if an outsider (or a newly made Mason) sees the letter ‘G’ and asks ‘what does that mean?’ the answer will be the same as we give it in our lecture and their curiosity will cease at that point because it doesn’t provide any room for academic contemplation. A young Mason may study the significance of the delta for years and learn a lot about ancient civilizations and early mathematics, but if they see the ‘G’ the only question to ask is ‘what does it stand for?’, after they recieve the answer they might think ‘okay, easy enough’. There is no ‘why the delta?’ ‘why was the delta revered for centuries by other cultures?’ ‘how can I apply my Compasses to further my understanding of the delta?’ or ‘what does the delta teach me about my journey through life and self improvement?’. I think these are important questions that should be alluded to when explaining our most highly emphasized symbol in the fraternity. *** CORRECTION PER A BROTHER OUTSIDE OF THE U.S*** It has come to my attention that I have been mistaken in my last blog concerning the letter ‘G’ and foreign jursiditions outside of the U.S. . Brother Dean Kennedy has informed me (and attached a very good article on the letter ‘G’) that I was incorrect in my broad assumption of the absence of the ‘G’ in Masonic symbolism outside of the United States. Thank you Brother for correcting me and I am glad that others are reading the posts and submitting feedback. I will try to post a link to the article you sent to Aedifico so everyone can see it and learn from my mistakes. |
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July 25, 2007
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Brother,
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…
Comment by Dean — July 27, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
To add another comment, (but *not* a rebuke), my Lodge does not include the “G” with the Square and Compasses in its’ official printed communications.
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.
Comment by Traveling Man — July 27, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
My Brother:
In our Lodge rooms in Western Australia you will find the G suspended from the ceiling in the Centre. It is explained for us in the 2nd Degree. Fraternal good wishes.
Comment by Navorser — July 27, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
I’m a Mason from the state of Georgia, USA.
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
Comment by Widow's Son — August 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am
A Masonic tradition informs us that the adoption of the letter “G,” enclosed in the Square and Compasses, goes back several centuries. A jeweler made some Masonic rings, and in order for them to be different he place the letter “G” in its center. The veracity of this story is in question.
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.
Comment by Mr. Ed — August 16, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Brother, do you know how to get this spam under control? It’s a nuisance.
Comment by Jeff Day — February 26, 2008 @ 5:19 am