I turned 40 not too long ago and at this point I have been a professional graphics designer for more than half my life. Having a Christian background and being a DeMolay/Freemason for a good amount of time allowed me to develop a strong fascination for heraldry, iconography, symbology and even emojis.💀
Two of the popular imageries that I really like can be found on the Great Seal of the United States. The obverse of the Great Seal depicts the national coat of arms of the United States, while the reverse depicts "A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith an eye in a triangle, surrounded by a glory, proper."
Together, the two sides of the Great Seal are a unique combination of images from nature (eagle, olive branch, stars, cloud, light rays, eye) and culture (pyramid, arrows, shield). But no one has an exclusive association with any of these symbols. —GreatSeal.com
On April Fools' Day last year, I announced on reddit r/Freemasonry that I was given the awesome honor and privilege to design the Official Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States. I originally planned to design it with the pyramid with the all seeing eye an a globe icon background but the thought of conspiracy enthusiasts going crazy made me settle with a simple Square and Compasses in the middle. While a few missed the GL joke, most of the comments were actually quite encouraging.
During the recent President's Day (3 days ago) I began working on the version 2 of the so called "Great Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United States". I know it's still not a good idea to use the obverse side of the Great Seal but I don't want to settle with just a simple Square and Compasses either so I worked on the reverse side instead. Today I finally finished and here's the result.
Here's a detailed look:
In case you missed some of the elements, look for the sprig of acacia, chisel, the text on the ribbon, and the forget me not flowers.
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“We are all imperfect. We can not expect perfect government. ” ― William Howard Taft
*February 22nd is his actual birthday but we celebrate President's Day every 3rd Monday of February thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971.
Without further ado, here's our list of presidents of the United States who were Freemasons.
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Initiated on November 4, 1752 in Fredericksburgh Lodge No. 4, Fredericksburg, Virginia. Elected Worshipful Master on December 20, 1788. |
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." |
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Legacy |
George Washington is also known as the "Father of His Country." He served as the first president of the United States and commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He presided over the convention that drafted the U.S. Constitution. |
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Initiated on November 9, 1775 in Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, Williamsburg, Virginia at the age of 17 while he studied at the College of William & Mary. |
"A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue." |
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Legacy |
James Monroe is viewed by history as one of the most qualified men ever to assume the presidency. He is well known as a great compromiser- his first term as president is accordingly remembered as the "Era of Good Feelings." |
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Member of St. Tammany (later Harmony) Lodge No. 1, Nashville, Tennessee. Elected Grand Master of Tennessee on October 7, 1822 and served until October 4, 1824. |
"One man with courage makes a majority." |
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Legacy |
Andrew Jackson founded the Democratic Party and squarely set the Executive Branch on the level with Congress in terms of power and ability to shape law and government policies. He supported individual liberty instituted policies that resulted in he forced migration of Native Americans. To this day, his legacy is still awash in controversy. |
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Initiated on June 5, 1820 in Columbia Lodge No. 31, Columbia, Tennessee. |
"The Presidency is no bed of roses." |
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Legacy |
James Polk is chiefly known for extending the territory of the United States through the Mexican–American War. |
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Initiated on December 1l, 1816 in Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Counties of Lancaster, Lebanon and York in 1824. |
"What is right and what is feasible are two different things." |
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Legacy |
James Buchanan was an honest and skillful politician. However, many consider him as one of the worst presidents in American history. During his administration, the Union broke apart, and when he left the office, civil war threatened. |
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Initiated on May 5, 1851 in Greenville Lodge No. 119, Greenville, Tennessee. |
"Let them impeach and be damned." |
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Legacy |
Andrew Johnson did everything he could to undermine the legacy of his predecessor—Abraham Lincoln. He vetoed so many bills he became known as "The Veto President". He is also known for being one of the three presidents to be impeached. |
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Initiated on November 19, 1861 in Magnolia Lodge No. 20, Columbus, Ohio and raised on November 22, 1864 in Columbus Lodge No. 30. Joined Garrettsville Lodge No. 246, Garrettsville, Ohio in 1866 and was its Chaplain for the years 1868-69. Charter Member of Pentalpha Lodge No. 23, Washington, D.C. |
"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable." |
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Legacy |
James Garfield advocated agricultural technology, an educated electorate, and civil rights for African Americans. He was the second president to be assassinated after Abraham Lincoln. |
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Initiated on May 1, 1865 in Hiram Lodge No. 21, Winchester, Virginia. Joined Canton Lodge No. 60, Canton, Ohio in 1867. Charter member of Eagle (later William McKinley) Lodge No. 431, also in Canton. |
"Half-heartedness never won a battle." |
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Legacy |
William McKinley led the nation to victory in the Spanish–American War, raised protective tariffs to promote American industry, and kept the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of the expansionary monetary policy of free silver. He was the third president to be assassinated after Abraham Lincoln. |
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Initiated on January 2, 1901 in Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York. |
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." |
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Legacy |
Theodore Roosevelt is widely regarded as the first modern president of the United States. He was an environmentalist and progressive social reformer who laid the groundwork for the modern Democratic party. He dramatically expanded the system of national parks and national forests during his term. The Teddy Bear was invented in his honor. |
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Made a Mason at Sight on February 18, 1909 in Kilwinning Lodge No. 356, Cincinnati, Ohio |
“Don't write so that you can be understood, write so that you can't be misunderstood.” |
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Legacy |
As U.S. president from 1909 to 1913 and chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1921 to 1930, William Howard Taft became the only man in history to hold the highest post in both the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. |
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Initiated on June 28, 1901 in Marion Lodge No. 70, Marion, Ohio. Raised on August 27, 1920 in that Lodge. |
"I am not fit for this office and never should have been here.” |
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Legacy |
Warren Harding is considered by most historians as one of America's worst presidents. His legacy is infused with scandal and corruption. |
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Initiated on October 11, 1911 in Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City. Made Honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay on April 13, 1934. |
“I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.” |
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Legacy |
Franklin Roosevelt led the U.S. through a depression and a world war. He created numerous programs to provide relief to the unemployed and farmers while seeking economic recovery with the National Recovery Administration and other programs. He also instituted major regulatory reforms related to finance, communications, and labor, and presided over the end of Prohibition. |
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Initiated on February 9, 1909 in Belton Lodge No. 450, Belton, Missouri. First Worshipful Master of Grandview Lodge No. 618, Grandview, Missouri in 1911. Elected Grand Master of Missouri on September 25, 1940 and served until October 1, 1941. Received the 33rd Degree on October 19, 1945. Made Honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay on May 18, 1959. |
"The reward of suffering is experience." |
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Legacy |
Due to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman was thrust into the presidency virtually overnight and had to begin making difficult decisions. In his first months in office, he dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, ending World War II. |
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Initiated on September 30, 1949 in Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Passed on April 20, 1951 and raised on May 18 of that year in Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C. Received the 33rd Degree on September 26, 1962. Made Honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay in April 1975. |
"Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time." |
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Legacy |
Gerald Ford is America's first unelected president. He presided over the worst economy in the four decades since the Great Depression. In one of his most controversial acts, he granted a presidential pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal. |
Isn't that the most amazing thing? It's almost as if a Star Trek writer penned it. I could have never imagined a living creature capable of such a seemingly supernatural feat!
But as the old Reddit adage goes- the real stuff is always in the comments. I learned from a commenter that pretty much the same thing happens with a creature that is quite familiar and very popular among us land dwellers- I'm talking about the majestic Monarch Butterfly.
Reddit user u/Blockacheese wrote, "The article says that sponges are the only animal that can reassemble after disintegration, but when a monarch caterpillar forms a chrysalis it completely disintegrates into a goop." Unfortunately, this hidden gem of a comment garnered a mere 2 upvotes and did not see the light of day. I did a quick research to see if there's any truth to this and this is what I found.
This How Stuff Works article described it best. "The transformation itself is amazing. Think of it as recycling -- if you drop a plastic bottle off in the recycling bin, it can be melted down into an entirely different shape. This is what happens inside the chrysalis. Much of the body breaks itself down into imaginal cells, which are undifferentiated -- like stem cells, they can become any type of cell. The imaginal cells put themselves back together into a new shape. A few parts of the body, such as the legs, are more or less unchanged during this process."
The esoterically inclined Freemason can easily align this peculiar transformation process with a plethora of meaningful symbolisms such as the ouroboros devouring itself, the rising phoenix, and even the trendy memento mori.
I think the topic of Transformation is a fitting topic in lieu of yesterdays shocking events that happened at the U.S. Capitol. A dark episode that exposed painful facts about us humans in general. I like to think that even though America and democracy may seem to be breaking apart, the upheaval is but a necessary process in her transformation journey. Out of this chaos will emerge a new way of thinking further refining the democratic system for the better, at least we hope.
To our American brothers and sisters, I can offer nothing more than to say relax and sit tight. Remember that cooler heads will prevail and that violence leads to more suffering on both sides.
With that I leave you with some of my previous works that I think are relevant to the events that are continuing to unfold. Have faith.
As an artist, it is my duty to research the subject. I know that the Doric Order is the oldest and simplest of the ancient Greek and later Roman architecture. I also know from the writings of Vitruvius that the Doric order obtained its proportion, its strength, and its beauty, from the male human figure.
But there are some hidden facts that I discovered that completely blew my mind. Things such as its ancient Egyptian origins stretching back to pre-dynastic times and its deep connection to quintessential ancient Egyptian symbols such as the jackal, papyrus bundles, burial rites, and the ancient axiom "As Above, So Below".
I designed the logo with my findings in mind. Look at the logo and take note of the subtle details such as the way the lines of the Square and Circle intersect- the lines don't touch but they become connected through the Square and Compasses. The Square and Circle figure is also the cross-sectional view of the Doric column from above.
As I have illustrated on our issue 29 of DidJahKno Masonic facts (December 2014), I firmly believe that the Square and Compasses, the well-known emblem of #freemasonry, the tools used to make a perfect square and a perfect circle, is an elegant way to present to a human being the difficult-to-believe concept that a person can literally do the impossible once he or she finds a way to unite his or her material and spiritual self.
I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that this United Person idea is perfectly embodied by the Doric column. But I'm also saddened by the fact that our beautiful S&C emblem has been misappropriated by the anti-Freemasons and the "Illuminati brotherhood" scam who force upon it either a sinister or a materialistic meaning.
On part 2 of this article, I will talk about the ancient Egyptian roots of the Doric column.
I have quoted and featured Brother Pike on many of my Masonic artworks but I realized that there's just so much that I do not know about him. Who is he? How can a man who once wrote, "One man is equivalent to all Creation. One man is a World in miniature." be called a racist and so reviled by some? Here are 10 facts about Albert Pike that I gathered from the internet (sources included).
Sources:
Test your Masonic knowledge by completing this one. Download the printable PDF file by printing the image below or by clicking this PDF link.
Let us know in the comment section below if you enjoyed this puzzle or if you have any comments or suggestions. Your feedback will help us improve our Masonic content for your enjoyment.
Need the answers? Click here.
Many of today's polarizing symbols trace its history back to the moment of discovery of a certain natural truth. These realizations are the byproduct of careful observation spanning years if not several generations. These "truths" were held in such high regard that it can only be transmitted in secrecy during an initiatic ceremony from mouth to ear.
Take the pentagram as an example- today it is fashionably interlinked with Satanism and anything occult; but its cousin, the Five-pointed Star, is a symbol of quality, patriotism, or even fame and "stardom" in Western culture. Where did this fascination for this ever-present symbol come from?
To find out, let's watch the following Phytagorean Brotherhood exemplification video clip starring Donald Duck (beginning from video timestamp 2:29 to around 4:30).
In case you didn't watch the video, here's a summary: Donald Duck was a skeptic who accidentally travelled back in time, got initiated into the Pythagorean Brotherhood, learned about the connection between sacred geometry and music (hint: encoded in the pentagram), and shook the hands of the spirit of Pythagoras- the Father of Mathematics and Music.
As curious creatures, we are naturally drawn to the hidden stuff. It's in our nature to discover things but without proper guidance, the discovery of certain "secrets" can lead the mind astray. This is why initiation rites are important when imparting certain lessons. Like the pentagram symbol, the number 33 is easily recognized and oftentimes misunderstood. What is so interesting about 33? Let's look at the facts.
As you can see, there are many interconnecting reasons why 33 is considered mystical.
We have a particularly prolific American Freemason who went by the name Albert Pike to thank for it. During his lifetime as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern (US) Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, "he actively promoted the organization by 'honouring' many of those in Masonic leadership in order to give his own organization far greater visibility than it might have otherwise achieved. Historians will note that this was the 'golden age of fraternity' and everyone wanted to accumulate degrees." -source
For the sake of the uninitiated, there are 3 degrees of Masonry: 1° Entered Apprentice, 2° Fellowcraft, and 3° Master Mason. The 3° Master Mason is the highest degree in Masonry. Even the 3° as a "high" degree is somewhat of a recent invention- during the early days of Masonry, it was the 2nd degree or the Fellowcraft that was the highest attainable rank. These 3 degrees are the degrees of the Blue/Craft Lodge. The other "higher" degrees belong to the appendant bodies of Freemasonry and none of those degrees are higher than the Master Mason 3°.
When the anti-Masons talk about the sinister 33 high-level Luciferian Illuminati Freemasons, they are mostly and misguidedly talking about the honorary and last degree of the Scottish Rite branch of Freemasonry. If you're feeling inclined to dig a little deeper and learn about how it acquired a sinister twist, Bro. Ed King from the famous Masonic Info website wrote an entertaining article about this very topic.
References:
But there's another reason why I'm calling this the Entered Apprentice knot- it is the first knot that most boys learn from their fathers when they first learn how to tie a tie, hence the nickname "schoolboy knot". Because of its simplicity and elegance, it is the most popular tie knot in the world. At one point, the four-in-hand is the only tie allowed by the United States Army.
There's an exclusive London gentlemen's club that we have to thank for it (hint: not the Freemasons). It became popular among members of the Four-in-Hand Driving Club in the 1850s. Etymologists report that carriage drivers in Great Britain knotted their reins with a four-in-hand knot.
The drivers also wore their scarves and cravats knotted in "four-in-hand". A cravat such as the FraternalTies Platinum Corinthian cravat below is tied with four-in-hand that is why the knot is also known as the "cravat knot".
When it's used to attach a rope to an object, the four-in-hand knot is known as the buntline hitch. It was used by sailors throughout the age of sail to rig ships and remains a useful working knot today.
How is it that such a simple and irregularly balanced knot can acquire a handsome and dignified look? The answer may lie in a world view which the Japanese call wabi-sabi- a philosophy which is centred on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".
The four-in-hand is an extremely versatile knot that will look slightly different each time you tie it but always asymmetrical. Here's a photo of the knots card that we ship along with our ties while the accompanying text instruction is taken word for word from Business Insider.
Since June 2019, there have been many large bushfires burning across Australia, especially in the southeast where a state of emergency was declared in New South Wales. As of 14 January 2020, fires this season have burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles), destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including approximately 2,683 homes) and killed at least 29 people. An estimated one billion animals were also killed and some endangered species may be driven to extinction. -source
We hope to raise money for the Australian Bushfire Relief Fund. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this t-shirt featuring original FraternalTies artwork will go to the American Australian Association. Only USD 14.50. Show your support now.
Royal Arch Masonry (also known as "Capitular Masonry") is the first part of the York Rite system of the Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons are easy to spot because of their penchant for the colour red.
According to "Significance of Masonic Colors", an article by Bro. Harold A. Kingsbury from Massachusetts, "Red is the color of fire, and fire was to the Egyptians the symbol of the regeneration and the purification of souls. Hence, in the Masonic system, red is the symbol of regeneration. Thus red is the color assigned to the Royal Arch Degree since that degree teaches the regeneration of life."
The very first necktie in our Royal Arch Masonry series is red to compliment the Royal Arch Mason. The Jacquard-woven silk fabric is made of a repeating pattern of Triple Tau symbols and the 3 trowels pointing to the center.
Due to the popularity of our Triple Tau design, several "Masonic" regalia companies based in Canada, USA, England, and Pakistan found an opportunity to make money by plagiarizing it. If you own a similar-looking necktie and you're not sure if it's original, simply look at the back- if it doesn't say "FraternalTies" then we can say with absolute certainty that you have been duped and we strongly suggest that you get in touch with the seller and ask for a refund.
These are some of the "Masonic" regalia companies that have repeatedly copied many of our original necktie creations.
Another way to tell if it's an authentic FraternalTies is by looking at the "tipping". The tipping is the backside of the wide tip of the tie. A genuine FraternalTies is "self-tipped"- meaning the necktie is finished on the backside with the same fabric as the self of the tie. It cost a little bit more to make but it's worth it.
The Royal Arch Masons Triple Tau Tie is also available in midnight blue.
It was a fun-filled day that was enjoyed with delicious refreshments! There were activities and entertainment for kids (and for the young at heart)! Even brother Santa made an appearance!
There were familiar faces but I also enjoyed meeting and having a chat with interesting new brothers that I just met.
One of the brothers that stood out to me was V.W. Bro. Dennis Rankin, a Masonic history buff and Past Grand Steward of GLCPOO. He was introduced to me by the Senior Warden of St. Andrew's, Brother Arthur Redublo. Brother Rankin was wearing an inconspicuous sprig of acacia pin, a symbol of his lodge Acacia No. 430.
I complimented him on it and told him that I have a fascination with acacia as I showed him my acacia wood and steel automatic Masonic watch. It is known that the Ark of the Covenant as well as many other ancient and sacred objects from various cultures were made of acacia wood, but did you know that the ancient Egyptians believed that the first Gods where born beneath its sheltering branches in Heliopolis? The hind part of the Celestial Boat of Ra was made of acacia wood. To them, it is the Tree of Life.
Attending families were encouraged to wear their ugly Christmas sweatshirt so I also happened to be wearing my FraternalTies Goose and Gridiron Christmas sweater. When brother Rankin noticed it, he let me in on a piece of Masonic history that is not widely known.
I learned from brother Dennis that sitting in a room right next to us is a chair of immense importance to the Craft. I even used the word "priceless" in the title of this article to describe it because how exactly do you put a price to an important artifact that is intrinsically linked to Freemasonry as we know it today? It's an old and solid chair made from the oak beam that supported the floor of the room in which the first Grand Lodge of England was organized in 1717 A.D., in the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in London Yard. The tavern was demolished in 1895 and the contractor on the job saved two of the oak floor joists and presented them to M.W. Bro. John Ross Robertson, who had a substantial chair made from that wood. It is also said that all Grand Masters of The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario are seated thereon whenever Grand Lodge meets in Toronto for the installation of the new Grand Master every two years.
I asked brother Rankin if I can crawl under to see what's beneath. He said as long as I don't sit on it, it should be ok so I crawled. The inscription on the underside of the seat reads: "This Chair is made from the Rafters which supported the first-floor room of the Goose and Gridiron Tavern, London Yard St. Paul's Churchyard, London England, built 1670 in which Election of Anthony Sayer, First Grand Master, Grand Lodge of England, took place June 24th, 1717. Secured by J. Ross Robertson of Toronto on its demolition in 1897."
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing Masonic lodge for the majority of Freemasons in England, Wales and the Commonwealth of Nations. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world. All regular Grand Lodges in the US are in mutual amity with each other and with UGLE. If a Masonic lodge or Grand Lodge is not in amity with UGLE, it is deemed to be clandestine and considered "irregular".
In the old days, speculative masons draw or form their lodge on the floor of the tavern where they hold their meetings. Back then the name of a lodge is derived from the name of their preferred pub. This particular ale-house that became the birthplace of UGLE was previously been a music-house named The Mitre. One of the groups that meet there is a musical society known as the Swan and the Lyre. The goose standing on a gridiron was a sarcastic allusion to the swan and the lyre- as if to say, in a cheeky British way, that the sound of the goose and the gridiron is more harmonious than any melody coming from the other group's rehearsals!
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Grand_Lodge_of_England
https://freimaurer-wiki.de/index.php/En:Goose_and_Gridiron_Ale-House
https://dallasfreemasonry.org/origin-freemasonry-question/3068
https://www.madamegilflurt.com/2014/11/the-goose-and-gridiron.html
