{"id":16863,"date":"2022-07-04T16:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-04T23:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freemason.org\/?p=16863"},"modified":"2022-07-26T13:30:18","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T20:30:18","slug":"freemasonry-symbols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freemason.org\/freemasonry-symbols\/","title":{"rendered":"Freemasonry Symbols","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"16863\" class=\"elementor elementor-16863\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6667064a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6667064a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c5b049e\" data-id=\"4c5b049e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7361022b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7361022b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1099\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-768x1099.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-17074\" alt=\"Explanation of the symbols of Masonry. From the square and compass and the dollar bill pyramid to the trowel, learn all about the many emblems of Freemasonry.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-768x1099.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-716x1024.jpg 716w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-1073x1536.jpg 1073w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-1431x2048.jpg 1431w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman.jpg 1726w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ab94baa elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1ab94baa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a40477b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a40477b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xxl\">Freemasonry Symbols<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35747bb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35747bb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">An introduction to the symbols, signs, and emblems of Masons and Masonic lodges.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4bb3568e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4bb3568e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-69b8503d\" data-id=\"69b8503d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d00b1d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d00b1d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Maybe you\u2019ve heard rumors about the \u201cFreemason pyramid\u201d on the <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/06\/02\/pyramid-scheme\/\">dollar bill<\/a>, seen the square and compass logo <a href=\"mailto:https:\/\/freemason.org\/history\/#slide-a4ec331\">on buildings around town<\/a>, or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YkZ94qksffM&amp;t=23s\">What\u2019s the history<\/a> behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into <a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/discover-masonry\/faq\/\">what happens in a lodge<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-920bd28 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"920bd28\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4615731\" data-id=\"4615731\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7448714 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7448714\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Does Masonry Use Symbols?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ca8919f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ca8919f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9953544\" data-id=\"9953544\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a19f2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0a19f2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>From soaring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/entertainment\/article\/It-s-lively-and-colorful-but-a-mural-depicting-2596773.php\">architecture<\/a> to dime-sized <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2019\/09\/18\/the-pin-code\/\">lapel pins<\/a>, symbols adorn every part of the Masonic experience. Why? <a href=\"https:\/\/ideas.ted.com\/what-the-mysterious-symbols-made-by-early-humans-can-teach-us-about-how-we-evolved\/\">Symbols<\/a> allow people to communicate quickly, and to transcend language barriers. When you see a green light or a circle with a line through it, you know what it means. Likewise, Masons use metaphors from <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/04\/MOC-063_CFM_Mar_Apr18_M02.pdf\">geometry<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/Jun-Jul-2013_reduced.pdf\">architecture<\/a> of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-caa672b\" data-id=\"caa672b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfbc8bf elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"dfbc8bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/masonic-education\/articles-about-freemasonry\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_4930.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"IMG_4930\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBACK TO ARTICLES ABOUT FREEMASONRY\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81d2376 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"81d2376\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fbfba4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7fbfba4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d1c1b64 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d1c1b64\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-98968f6\" data-id=\"98968f6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9b3074 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e9b3074\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From the Square and Compass to the Letter G: The Meaning of Masonic Emblems<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3dc7789 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3dc7789\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7c86135\" data-id=\"7c86135\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68a61a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"68a61a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/history\/\">When speculative Masonry began<\/a> in the 17th century, it adopted the stonemason\u2019s tools as symbols to illustrate life lessons. Freemasonry\u2019s symbols today remain remarkably true to the first <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2019\/04\/01\/a-friend-and-brother\/\">stonemasons\u2019 working tools<\/a>.<\/p><p>Here are <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/CFM_Dec10Jan11_Reduced.pdf\">some of the best-known<\/a> Masonic symbols:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Apron:<\/strong> Known as the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_oiEKKitMz8&amp;t=1s\">unique badge of a Mason<\/a>,\u201d the <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2022\/01\/20\/worthy-of-being-worn\/\">apron<\/a> is the most recognizable item of a Mason\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2022\/03\/08\/masonic-attire\/\">attire<\/a>. Masons wear aprons while at lodge, and at certain public events. The tradition dates back to the fraternity\u2019s operative days, when stonemasons wore protective work aprons.<\/li><li><strong>Square and Compass<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong>The Masonic square and compass is probably the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freemason.com\/masonic-symbols-square-compasses\/\">most common symbol in Masonry<\/a>, used to represent Freemasons and Masonic lodges around the world. Ancient stonemasons used the tools to create 90-degree angles and test the accuracy of their stones. In \u201cspeculative\u201d Masonry, the square is an emblem of morality. The compass represents the relationship between the individual and society.<\/li><li><strong>The Letter G: <\/strong>The letter G is often seen in the center of the square and compass symbol. It stands for <em>geometry<\/em>, the basis for stonemasonry\u2014and, symbolically, for modern Freemasonry.<\/li><li><strong>Plumb and Level: <\/strong>In stonemasonry, the plumb and level ensure surfaces are vertically and horizontally flush. For today\u2019s Freemasons, the plumb is a symbol of justice, rectitude, and the importance of living in an upright manner, while the level is a reminder that all men are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dummies.com\/article\/body-mind-spirit\/religion-spirituality\/freemasonry\/discovering-what-freemasonry-is-200464\/\">equal<\/a>. You may have heard the phrase, \u201cTo meet on the level and part on the square.\u201d That\u2019s where it comes from!<\/li><li><strong>Trowel: <\/strong>One of a stonemason\u2019s most important working tools is the trowel, used to spread mortar that binds stones together. In Freemasonry, the trowel is used to spread the \u201ccement\u201d of <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/FebMar2014_mech.pdf\">brotherly love<\/a> to unite a sacred band or society of friends.<\/li><li><strong>Rough and Perfect Ashlars: <\/strong>The ashlars are two stone cubes placed near the master\u2019s platform in the lodge; one is rough-edged, delivered straight from the quarry; the other is smooth and ready for building. The rough ashlar represents man in his crude form, while the perfect ashlar represents the man, who, through the teachings of Masonry, has become more polished. We never become a perfect ashlar, but we work toward it.<\/li><li><strong>Columns: <\/strong>Every Masonic lodge has representations of two pillars, replicas of the two columns that flanked the entrance to King Solomon\u2019s temple. The pillars are said to represent strength and establishment.<\/li><li><strong>Winding Staircase: <\/strong>The winding staircase is another symbol inspired by King Solomon\u2019s temple, referring to the steps leading from the entryway to the middle chamber of the temple. It\u2019s an allegory for a member\u2019s progress from <a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/masonic-ranks\/\">Entered Apprentice to Fellow Craft<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>Other Masonic symbols include:<\/strong> The beehive, the acacia tree, the 47<sup>th<\/sup> Problem of Euclid, the Ark of the Covenant, the anchor, cable tow, sheaf of corn, gavel, and blazing star. Here\u2019s a resource explaining some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dummies.com\/article\/body-mind-spirit\/religion-spirituality\/freemasonry\/how-to-decipher-less-well-known-freemasonry-symbols-195616\/\">less-well-known Freemasonry symbols<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f934d5d\" data-id=\"f934d5d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f56c74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f56c74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/discover-masonry\/connect\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/learn-more-web-ads-for-freemason.org-120x4002-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-17743\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/learn-more-web-ads-for-freemason.org-120x4002-1.jpg 240w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/learn-more-web-ads-for-freemason.org-120x4002-1-90x300.jpg 90w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9ff522a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9ff522a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ffbf374\" data-id=\"ffbf374\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-107b9ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"107b9ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What\u2019s the \u201cFreemason Pyramid?\u201d <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a3f29c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0a3f29c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Hollywood blockbusters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/pages\/article\/national-treasure-freemasons-fact-and-fiction\"><em>National Treasure<\/em><\/a> and bestsellers like Dan Brown\u2019s <a href=\"mailto:https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/freemason200912-dl.pdf\"><em>The Da Vinci Code<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/id\/wbna33280724\"><em>The Lost Symbol<\/em><\/a> have done much to sensationalize Freemasonry\u2019s symbols. A lot of the time, they contain more fiction than fact.<\/p><p>Take, for example, the image of the eye and the pyramid on the dollar bill. The <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/06\/02\/pyramid-scheme\/\">pyramid<\/a> does not appear in regular Masonic ritual or symbolism. The <a href=\"https:\/\/gwmemorial.org\/blogs\/news\/the-eye-of-providence\">all-seeing eye<\/a>, sometimes called the eye of providence, <em>is<\/em> used by Masons to represent the omniscient eye of God. But in the 18th century, when the U.S. was designing its Great Seal, the symbol was common among non-Masonic groups, too.<\/p><p>So what should we make of the rumors that Masons designed the dollar bill, or that the Great Seal of the United States is a Masonic emblem? They&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/9-things-you-didnt-know-about-freemasonry\/\">false, and false.<\/a> According to Masonic historian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/S-Brent-Morris\/e\/B001HD3I8U\/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1\">S. Brent Morris<\/a>, the only known Mason on the design committee was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/american-revolution\/benjamin-franklin\">Benjamin Franklin<\/a>, and his ideas didn\u2019t make it into the final design. Artist Pierre Du Simitiere, a non-Mason, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/pages\/article\/the-lost-symbol-and-the-freemasons-8-myths-decoded\">contributed the design for the eye<\/a>. Another non-Mason, <a href=\"https:\/\/scottishrite.org\/scottish-rite-myths-and-facts\/eye-in-the-pyramid\/\">Francis Hopkinson<\/a>, contributed the pyramid.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d4f09f5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d4f09f5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc378ca\" data-id=\"bc378ca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0240a6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0240a6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Further Reading<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab80562 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab80562\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Check out <em>California Freemason Magazine<\/em>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/freemason200912-dl.pdf\">special issue devoted to <em>The Lost Symbol<\/em><\/a>.<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YkZ94qksffM&amp;t=23s\"><strong>Art of Masonic Education<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_oiEKKitMz8\"><strong>Emblems of Innocence and Honor: The Masonic Apron<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2019\/09\/18\/secrets-of-the-cloth\/\"><strong>Secrets Of The Cloth<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/03\/22\/the-companies-we-keep\/\"><strong>The Companies We Keep<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2022\/03\/20\/masonictreasure\/\"><strong>For Masonic Artifact Collectors, They\u2019re Another Man\u2019s Treasure<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2019\/04\/20\/symbols-of-femininity\/\"><strong>Symbols of Femininity<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2022\/01\/20\/worthy-of-being-worn\/\"><strong>Worthy of Being Worn<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/11\/15\/a-masonic-whodunnit\/\"><strong>A Masonic Whodunnit<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/06\/02\/pyramid-scheme\/\"><strong>Pyramid Scheme<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2019\/09\/18\/the-etsy-crew\/\"><strong>The Etsy Crew<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2022\/03\/20\/memento-mori\/\"><strong>For Freemasons, Death Is Not the End<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/2021\/11\/15\/intelligent-design\/\"><strong>Intelligent Design<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/californiafreemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/05\/CFM_Dec10Jan11_Reduced.pdf\"><strong>The Marks of Mankind<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/masonicheritage.org\"><strong>Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-47ff158 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"47ff158\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a222146\" data-id=\"a222146\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-506e4d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"506e4d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\">Related Articles<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a4d084a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a4d084a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0d2315f\" data-id=\"0d2315f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcfa8ce elementor-grid-5 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"dcfa8ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-16877 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/masonic-ranks\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"215\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-215x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-17063\" alt=\"Explaining the ranks of Masonry, from entered apprentice to Master Mason to 33rd degree Mason.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-215x300.jpg 215w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-732x1024.jpg 732w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-768x1074.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-1098x1536.jpg 1098w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM-1464x2048.jpg 1464w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Millar-MM.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/masonic-ranks\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tMasonic Ranks\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/masonic-ranks\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Masonic Ranks\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-16908 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles tag-articles tag-education tag-prince-hall-masonry\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/prince-hall-masonry\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-300x202.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-16971\" alt=\"Prince Hall Masons pose in this archival photo. Prince Hall Masonry (also called Prince Hall Freemasonry) is a centuries-old Black fraternal order that today partners with the Masons of California.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-1024x689.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-768x517.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-1536x1034.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/MS026_B11_1245-scaled-e1657053527410-2048x1379.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/prince-hall-masonry\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tPrince Hall Masonry\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/prince-hall-masonry\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Prince Hall Masonry\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-16508 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/famous-freemasons\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"238\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/george-washington-freemason-238x300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-16699\" alt=\"George Washington Freemason, famous freemasons, famous masons\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/george-washington-freemason-238x300.jpeg 238w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/george-washington-freemason-768x966.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/george-washington-freemason.jpeg 814w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/famous-freemasons\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tFamous Freemasons\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/famous-freemasons\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Famous Freemasons\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-32475 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/is-freemasonry-a-religion\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch-300x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-32492\" alt=\"Masonic temple and house of worship. What religion are the Masons? Is Freemasonry a religion? Can Catholics be Masons? The answer is both simple and, for many, a source of confusion.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/europechurch.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/is-freemasonry-a-religion\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tIs Freemasonry a Religion?\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/is-freemasonry-a-religion\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Is Freemasonry a Religion?\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-16843 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/female-freemasons\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/190302_Anne-Marie_Moody_Masons_CA_portrait_FINAL_2-2-300x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-17136\" alt=\"Portrait of a female Freemason. Women&#039;s Freemasonry, mixed Masonry, and coed Masonry have a long and distinguished history in California, the United States, and especially in Europe and Latin America. In addition, Masonic orders like the Order of the Eastern Star also serve women in Masonry.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/190302_Anne-Marie_Moody_Masons_CA_portrait_FINAL_2-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/190302_Anne-Marie_Moody_Masons_CA_portrait_FINAL_2-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/190302_Anne-Marie_Moody_Masons_CA_portrait_FINAL_2-2.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/female-freemasons\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tFemale Freemasons\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/female-freemasons\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Female Freemasons\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-16894 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-articles tag-articles tag-masonic-education tag-other-masonic-bodies\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/other-masonic-bodies\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-16995\" alt=\"Frontispiece of James Anderson&#039;s 1723 Constitutions of Freemasonry. Learn more about other Masonic bodies and organizations, including the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Knights Templar, and the Shrine.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-1535x2048.jpg 1535w, https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1723_Anderson_frontispiece-scaled.jpg 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/other-masonic-bodies\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tOther Masonic Bodies\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/other-masonic-bodies\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Other Masonic Bodies\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;\">Maybe you\u2019ve heard rumors about the \u201cFreemason pyramid\u201d on the dollar bill, seen the square and compass logo on buildings around town, or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. What\u2019s the history behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into what happens in a lodge?<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":19,"featured_media":17074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"5701,13040,874,13662,3294,828","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Freemasonry Symbols &#8212; Masons of California<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From the pyramid on the dollar bill to the square and compass, what&#039;s the story behind the many Masonic symbols, icons, and emblems?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/freemasonry-symbols\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Freemasonry Symbols\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From the pyramid on the dollar bill to the square and compass, what&#039;s the story behind the many Masonic symbols, icons, and emblems?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/freemasonry-symbols\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Masons of California\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MasonsofCalifornia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-07-04T23:52:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-07-26T20:30:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/freemason.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman-716x1024.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"716\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Masons\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@MasonsofCA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@MasonsofCA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Masons\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Masons\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/83011a353fa0d16e4cbde18b4a48249a\"},\"headline\":\"Freemasonry Symbols\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-04T23:52:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-07-26T20:30:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":917,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/FMH-First-Degree_Ashley-and-Newman.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Articles\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/freemason.org\\\/freemasonry-symbols\\\/\",\"name\":\"Freemasonry Symbols &#8212; 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