Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

"Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". All of us Masons are familiar with this definition of Freemasonry. Every Entered Apprentice is required to memorise it. Illustrating by means of symbols is a method Freemasonry uses for imparting its teachings and its philosophy to its adherents. Just why it does so, that is a different story and may well be the subject of a separate paper. Symbols constitute the language of Freemasonry. For us Masons, therefore, it is very necessary that we should learn that language, by which means alone we shall be able to make our daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.

Of Symbols there are many. Volumes have been written on them. The three most important of them are V.S.L., the Square and the Compasses. In fact they are so important and they convey such a comprehensive meaning that when you have understood them you have understood the whole philosophy of Freemasonry. That is why they are called the three great emblematical lights in Freemasonry.

"... the three great though emblematical lights in Freemasonry are the V.S.L., the Square and the Compasses; the sacred writings are to rule and govern our faith, the Square to regulate our actions and the Compasses to keep us in due bounds with all mankind, particularly our Brethren in Freemasonry". We Masons are all very familiar with this expression; it is one of the first lessons we are taught. Yet, how beautifully vague it is; and purposely so, because Freemasonry expects us to make our own studies and find out for ourselves its "hidden mysteries".

The begin with, first let us understand the meaning of the word Light in the Masonic sense. As opposed to darkness, which means ignorance, light means knowledge; it is knowledge of Freemasonry in general and a knowledge of the G.A.O.T.U. in particular., Initiation is sometimes called seeing the Light of Freemasonry, which means gaining some knowledge about Freemasonry. When the candidate expresses a desire for light, it is not merely for that material light, which is to remove a physical darkness, - that is only the outward form which conceals the inward symbolism; he craves an intellectual illumination which will dispel the darkness of mental and moral ignorance and give him a spark of the spiritual light or wisdom which is the great design of Freemasonry.

In Freemasonry Light is a symbol; it is in fact the first important symbol in Freemasonry that is presented to the Initiate and contains within itself the very essence of Speculative Freemasonry.

Now, keeping in mind that meaning of Light in its Masonic sense, let us have a closer lock at the three emblematical lights, the V.S.L, the Square and the Compasses.

The V.S.L. is a record of the Will of God as revealed to man. It is called the Tracing Board of the G.A.O.T.U. Therein He has laid down His designs, His plans and specifications for our guidance. We are expected to study them, abide by them and to regulated all our actions by the Divine precepts contained in the V.S.L.

Although the V.S.L. is always kept open while we are at work, we never have an occasion to read any of its contents. This is significant. Because, after all, the V.S.L. itself is only a symbol, a symbol of Truth, of Justice and of guidance. In other words, it symbolises the very foundation and the guiding principle of our whole being.

Our whole being, our personality, has two aspects or elements, human and divine and these are represented or symbolised by the square and the compasses.

The square "is an instrument which brings rude matter into due form". It is a symbol of that moral law which an individual must observe in order to be a fit member of a regularly organised society. When a man builds a house he must observe the laws of engineering, otherwise his structure will fall. If an individual does not observe the moral laws in building up his character, he will have a wretched life. Thus, the square symbolises a moral character. A man who possesses a high moral character is said to be "on the square".

The Compasses, on the other hand, figuratively comprehending the higher or spiritual principles mentioned in our ritual, are a symbol of the higher nature or spiritual part of man. Or, to put it more plainly, are symbolic of the Soul or Consciousness itself - the divine element.

The Compasses have a wider significance, too. As we are aware, the shape of our Lodge is oblong square on surface, meaning the world, and in height it extends to the sky which is a circle. By what instrument do we draw a circle? The compasses, of course. The sky represents the heavens. Therefore, Masonically speaking, one point of the compasses is on the world and the other on the heavens. This means that in all our labour and love our aspiration and aim should be towards heaven, that is, towards a Life Divine. Of this aspect of Masonry the Compasses are the symbol and they are perhaps the most important of Working Tools.

On the V.S.L. the Square rests upon Compasses before the Compasses rest upon Square. Just as a perfect square is a fight that can be drawn only within or about a circle so the earthly element of a man's life man and is built within the circle of Divine I the Divine Laws always guiding, sustaining protecting it. The two symbols, therefore, combination, typify the being and life of in their entirety, - the Divine element is unite with its vehicle the body. They are never separated though they change their positions importance relatively to each other. These be supported by the V.S.L., symbolise that man is not only dependent on the Will and Pleasure of the G.A.O.T.U. as the basis of all his life of his whole existence, - in fact he does and cannot exist as a separate entity. The symbols are kept continually before our eyes remind us of the three most important aspect of our being, namely (1) the existence and nature of Divine Laws and Plans which govern all created beings, (2) the material nature our being and (3) the spiritual nature of our being.

An Entered Apprentice is symbolically a man in a crude, natural state, - a rough ashlar, his divine life covered and ruled by his earthly nature. To him his true self is in subjection and overlaid or dominated by merely extent and material influences. The Square, the lower nature, is above the Compasses, the sprites nature. That Degree is of the nature of preparation and improvement of the lower man means of education. In the first Degree the and conduct as individuals, as citizens, as members of society and as Freemasons, are taught and insisted upon, in preparation for the farther studies which will alter the whole structure of his being.

If he is industrious as he makes progress, will soon learn that his true self in allied nature to some immortal and active principle which cannot long remain confined by the physical or lower nature which at present dominates it and that his true destiny points towards something for higher.

In the Second Degree the Fellow Craft discovers a change in the symbol. He is expected to have reached a stage of development which stimulates a desire for more Light. One aspect of the spiritual, - one point of the Compasses, one ray of Light, is disclosed to him. He sees a change, of relation between the square and the compasses, that is, between his lower nature and higher; but their position on the V.S. L. that is, their relationship to the Divine, remains unchanged, because it is unchangeable. He has now made one step towards liberty and light, and the nobler elements in him are struggling to rise above and control his lower, lesser nature.

In the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, by industry and by love, by the discipline of tragedy and still more by Divine guidance, the Divine in him has subjugated the earthly and has rendered him strong and fearless and ready to lead his own Life Divine. The Compasses are now over the Square.

"You are now at liberty to work with both those points in order to render the circle of your Masonic duties complete."