Masonic Jewelry

I would like to begin a photo album of the Masonic Structures from around the world. I travel extensively and truly amazed by some of the Masonic Structures that I have seen and visited around the world. I will start adding to this page and encourage all of you to share pictures of your various Masonic Lodges, Scottish Rite and York Rite facilities as well as the Shrime Temples around the world. A brief description of  your pictures would be welcome. To the best of my knowledge such a collection of Masonic structures from around the world does not exist. We truly have some unique and beautiful architecture to share with the rest of our brothers and sisters. Pictured above is the Scottish Rite Temple located in Washington D.C.  To go on a virtual tour of the Scottish Rite Temple in Washington, D.C. click on this link: http://www.scottishrite.org/visitors/main.html#ent

The blaze of glory found on either side of the Great Seal cannot fail to remind the Mason of the Great Light in Masonry which is the rule and guide to faith and practice and without which no Masonic lodge can exist. It reminds him that only more light can dispel the pall of ignorance in which he stumbles until he enters tile Celestial Lodge where all light is given.

For any brother that responds to this post between the time of posting and August 4, 2008 will receive a 10% discount on any ring not on sale at Fox Jewelry.

Among those who helped design the Great Seal of the United States many were Masons: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, William Churchill Houston, and William Barton. It is difficult to tell for sure whether these Masonis drew upon Freemasonry in this work but an informed Mason can’t help but see the following:

On the obverse is an eagle whose dexter wing has thirty-two feathers, the number of degrees found in Scottish Rite Freemasonry. The sinister wing has thirty-three feathers, the additional feather corresponding to the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite conferred upon those of outstanding Masonic service. The tail feathers number nine, the number of degrees in the Chapter, Council, and Commandery of the York Rite of Freemasonry.

The glory above the eagle’s head is divided into twenty-four equal parts and reminds the observer of the Mason’s gauge which is also divided into twenty-four equal parts and is emblematic of the service he is obligated to perform. The five pointed stars remind him of the Masonic Blazing Star and the five points of fellowship.

More to follow on the Great Seal of America………

The symbolism associated with the top hat on a Masonic Ring and the Master of the Lodge or wearing a Top Hat is twofold; keeping the head covered in the lodge while all others remain without their head covered is  symbolic of superior rank or authority. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge wears a Top Hat which is symbolic of King Solomon’s wearing a crown as a mark of royal dignity. The Master of the Lodge will always remove his Top Hat duriing prayer.

Military Rings are worn by current and retired members of the military as a highly visible demonstration of their proud participation in a branch of service. Their appeal supersedes distinctions of rank, gender and age: military rings are worn by officers and enlisted personnel, men and women, and the young and old.

A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge in Books of Constitutions, is the basic organization of Freemasonry. Every new Lodge must be warranted by a Grand Lodge, but is subject to its direction only in enforcing the published Constitution of the jurisdiction.

A Master Freemason is generally entitled to visit any Lodge in any jurisdiction in amity with his own. He is first usually required to check, and certify, the regularity of the relationship of the Lodge – and be able to satisfy that Lodge of his regularity of membership. Freemasons gather together as a Lodge to work the three basic Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason.  Many men who go to the lodge may sport an identifier, such as Masonic jewelry.

NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM – Origin and Meaning of the Motto Beneath the American Pyramid”Novus Ordo Seclorum” was the motto suggested in 1782 by Charles Thomson, the Founding Father chosen by the Continental Congress to come up with the final design for the Great Seal of the United States.

On June 20, 1782, Congress approved Thomson’s design for both sides of the Great Seal whose official description states:

“On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI
& underneath the following motto. ‘novus ordo seclorum’.”

He put the motto at the bottom of the reverse side where its meaning ties into the imagery above it: the unfinished pyramid with the date MDCCLXXVI (1776).

Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, but he explained its symbolism: Novus Ordo Seclorum signifies “the beginning of the new American Æra,” which commences from 1776.

ANNUIT COEPTIS – Origin and Meaning
of the Motto Above the Eye

Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson suggested “Annuit Coeptis” when he put together the final design of the Great Seal in June 1782.

He placed the motto at the top of the Seal’s reverse side, where its meaning is associated with the Eye of Providence in a triangle surrounded by light rays.

Thomson did not provide an exact translation of the motto, but he explained its symbolism: The Eye and the motto Annuit Coeptis “allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause.” Masonic Ring

“Signal” means unusual, notable, outstanding.
“Interposition” means intervention. (In this case, a divine intervention.)