Information
Masonic Calendar
In the ceremonial or commemorative proceedings, Freemasons add 4,000 years to the current Anno Domini calendar year and append Anno Lucis ("Year of Light") to the Gregorian calendar year (for example, 2013 AD is 6013 AL).
This calendar era, which would designate 4,001 BC as "year zero", was adopted in the 18th century (58th century AL as a simplification of the Anno Mundi era dating system used in the Hebrew calendar, and borrowing from other ideas of that time regarding the year of creation.
This calendar era, which would designate 4,001 BC as "year zero", was adopted in the 18th century (58th century AL as a simplification of the Anno Mundi era dating system used in the Hebrew calendar, and borrowing from other ideas of that time regarding the year of creation.
What is a Mason?
A Mason is a man who has decided that he likes to feel good about himself and others. He cares about the future as well as the past, and does what he can, both alone and with others, to make the future good.
When is a Man, a Mason?
When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, and courage—which is the root of every virtue.
When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowman.
When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, and with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song—glad to live, but not afraid to die.
Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world.
When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowman.
When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, and with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song—glad to live, but not afraid to die.
Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world.
Masonic Ring
What is the proper way to wear a Masonic ring? Should the points of the compass be towards or away from the body? If you were hanging the American flag, would you put the stars down? The same holds true of the ring. Usually it is a gift, and has sentimental value for the wearer. It should look right side up to him. Rings are therefore worn with the points of the compass towards the wearer.
This subject is one on which Grand Lodges have made no regulation and popular opinion is divided. We must therefore reason from analogy. When the emblem of the square and compasses is displayed on a building, pennant, button, watch charm etc., universal custom requires the points of the compass point downward. When displayed on the Alter they point away from the Master. As the Master from his station views the compass from the Alter of his
lodge, the points are from, not towards him. As the wearer of a compass watch charm views it, the points are down and away from his eyes. In a similar way as he views the emblem on his ring the points should be down or away from his eyes.
The square is the symbol of earthly, the compass of heavenly perfection. As a combined emblem the ends of the square point up as a God; the points of the compass are down to represent heavenly qualities coming down from God to earth. Therefore it would seem that the proper way to wear a ring would be that is which its symbolism is best expressed; namely, that in which, when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compass are towards the earth and away from the wearer’s eyes. Thus it will be seen that our conclusion does not agree with the writer in Temple Topics. He truly says that in hanging an American flag we would not put the stars down, but in hanging a compass or a square and compass, he surly would put the
points of the compass down. The same rule holds when worn as a ring or button or watch charm; namely, they would be worn the same way with the points down. When so worn they all serve the same purpose, and by no means the least of these purposes is to announce to the world the proud wearer is a Mason.
- Iowa Masonic Bulletin
This subject is one on which Grand Lodges have made no regulation and popular opinion is divided. We must therefore reason from analogy. When the emblem of the square and compasses is displayed on a building, pennant, button, watch charm etc., universal custom requires the points of the compass point downward. When displayed on the Alter they point away from the Master. As the Master from his station views the compass from the Alter of his
lodge, the points are from, not towards him. As the wearer of a compass watch charm views it, the points are down and away from his eyes. In a similar way as he views the emblem on his ring the points should be down or away from his eyes.
The square is the symbol of earthly, the compass of heavenly perfection. As a combined emblem the ends of the square point up as a God; the points of the compass are down to represent heavenly qualities coming down from God to earth. Therefore it would seem that the proper way to wear a ring would be that is which its symbolism is best expressed; namely, that in which, when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compass are towards the earth and away from the wearer’s eyes. Thus it will be seen that our conclusion does not agree with the writer in Temple Topics. He truly says that in hanging an American flag we would not put the stars down, but in hanging a compass or a square and compass, he surly would put the
points of the compass down. The same rule holds when worn as a ring or button or watch charm; namely, they would be worn the same way with the points down. When so worn they all serve the same purpose, and by no means the least of these purposes is to announce to the world the proud wearer is a Mason.
- Iowa Masonic Bulletin