The Loss of an Important Metaphor

In these days of advanced civil engineering, where some buildings approach 1km in height I believe one of the metaphors of Freemasonry has diminished. Imagine a landscape of a small, medieval population where the majority of the population live in primitive housing, and then one of the 14th century cathedrals comes into view. It must have been an awe-inspiring contrast.

The operative masons were the people who built these inspirational buildings. However, the metaphor seems to have been lost. In Freemasonry we talk about the building of King Solomon's Temple - the emphasis is on the building metaphors. Freemasonry is about building a better society in which we, as individuals, are the building blocks. We start off, metaphorically speaking, as rough and unhewn ashlar. By a reflection of our position in society we aspire to the perfect ashlar, "Better suited for the intended structure" (to misquote the ritual slightly). Thus the 'building' in Freemasonry is a metaphor for building a better, ethically-based society. The perfect ashlar is a metaphor for how we can all fit into society, irrespective of our associations.

Have you ever wondered why we 'square' the Lodge? This action, I believe, traces the foundations of our metaphorical and incorporeal structure: society. Unfortunately the metaphor has diminished for two reasons.

First of all, the craftsmanship of the operative masons is slightly less magical than it would have been to a medieval way of thinking. Secondly, Freemasonry has become more dogmatic in its interpretation of its history and its semiotics. We seldom take the time to explore how Freemasonry is interpreted by us as individuals. Consequently this kind of interpretation becomes lost in the rote recitals of our ceremonies.