In determining the fact that Freemasonry finds its
prototype in the temple worship of ancient Egypt, we have but to study
the Masonic arms, as illustrated in Fellows' chart, in which are
pictured, as its objects of adoration, the sun and moon, the seven
stars, known as Pleiades in the sign of Taurus; the blazing star
Sirius, or Dog-star, worshipped by the Egyptians under the name of
Anubis, and whose rising forewarned those people of the rising of the
Nile River; the seven signs of the Zodiac from Aries to Libra,
inclusive, through which the sun was supposed to pass in making his
apparent annual revolution, and which constitutes the Royal arch from
which was derived the name of one of its higher degrees; and its
armorial bearings, consisting of pictures of the Lion, the Bull, the
Waterman, and the Flying Eagle, which representing the signs at the
cardinal points, constituted the genii of the seasons. Besides these,
we have the checkered flooring or mosaic work, representing the earth
and its variegated face, which was introduced when temple worship
succeeded its grove form; the two columns representing the imaginary
pillars of heaven resting upon the earth at Equinoctial points, and
supporting the Royal arch; also the letter "G" standing for Geometry,
the knowledge of which was of great importance to the natives of Egypt
in establishing the boundaries of their lands removed by the
inundations of the Nile, the square and compass, being the instruments
through which the old landmarks were restored, and which ultimately
became the symbols of justice.
Pages:
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95