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Article ON THE SYMBOLISM OF THE EQUILATERAX TEIA... ← Page 2 of 4 →
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On The Symbolism Of The Equilaterax Teia...
raised , as to the symbolic meaning of the equilateral triangle ; in other words , whether the esoteric doctrine of a triunity in unity , or of the triune nature of the Great Architect of the universe , is capable of being eliminated from the symbols of Freemasonry . The assertion—that the number 666 , of the books of -Kings and
Chronicles , is " a Masonic emblem typifying the union of the grand architectural and Masonic symbols , the equilateral triangle and the square , " and that the former of these two symbols is emblematic of the triune nature of the Deity- —made by Brother Gillespie , * appears to have been received with some scruple , as tending to alter the
position of our ancient landmarks , ' -and to narrow the circle ( at present including all theological opinions ) , of universal Masonry . This objection , however , founded on apprehended consequences of an investigation of Masonic symbolism , ought to have no weight ; the only question worthy of consideration being * whether the assertion is capable of proof , and true . If so , it must be accepted in Masonry as in all other sciences , with all its legitimate results .
The original paper of Brother Gillespie , above cited , is one of much interest , and touches upon one of the most fertile areas of speculation , in connection with the symbolism of Masonry—the occult meaning and value of names and numbers in the Hebrew writings . It is precisely one of those investigations which elevate Masonry from an art to a science , and bring it into alliance with history and philosophy
in general . I for one very much regret that Brother Gillespie , taking fright apparently at the supposed consequences of his investigation , should , in his subsequent communication ^ h ave abandoned his original line of argument , and taken shelter in a metaphysical disquisition on the innate perception by the human mind of a sacred triunity pervading all nature .
In venturing to differ from Brother Gillespie as to the value and meaning of the number 666 in the places cited—1 Kings x . 14 , and 2 Chronicles ix . 13 , —as well as to the significance of the equilateral triangle as a Masonic emblem of the Deity , I do so with a full
appreciation of the acquaintance displayed in his first paper with the value set by the ancients upon the properties of numbers . At the same time , he has not , as it appears to me , taken into consideration the marked distinction to be drawn between the opinions on this subject of the Pythagorean and the Eabbinical schools .
It is true that the Samian philosophers , having accompanied the returning army of Cambyses to Babylon , imbibed the learning of the Chaldsean sages at the same fount as did the Hebrew philosophers during and after the era of the captivity . But the Hebrew students of the occult philosophy and of the harmony and proportions of numbers were circumscribed in their speculations by strong
* "On the Mathematical and 3 \ fasonic Properties of the Number 6 (> 6 . — Freemasons' Magazwe , vol . iii ., p . 704 . f "On the Universality of the Grand Masonic Triunity . "—Freemasons ' Magazine , vol . iii . p . 857 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Symbolism Of The Equilaterax Teia...
raised , as to the symbolic meaning of the equilateral triangle ; in other words , whether the esoteric doctrine of a triunity in unity , or of the triune nature of the Great Architect of the universe , is capable of being eliminated from the symbols of Freemasonry . The assertion—that the number 666 , of the books of -Kings and
Chronicles , is " a Masonic emblem typifying the union of the grand architectural and Masonic symbols , the equilateral triangle and the square , " and that the former of these two symbols is emblematic of the triune nature of the Deity- —made by Brother Gillespie , * appears to have been received with some scruple , as tending to alter the
position of our ancient landmarks , ' -and to narrow the circle ( at present including all theological opinions ) , of universal Masonry . This objection , however , founded on apprehended consequences of an investigation of Masonic symbolism , ought to have no weight ; the only question worthy of consideration being * whether the assertion is capable of proof , and true . If so , it must be accepted in Masonry as in all other sciences , with all its legitimate results .
The original paper of Brother Gillespie , above cited , is one of much interest , and touches upon one of the most fertile areas of speculation , in connection with the symbolism of Masonry—the occult meaning and value of names and numbers in the Hebrew writings . It is precisely one of those investigations which elevate Masonry from an art to a science , and bring it into alliance with history and philosophy
in general . I for one very much regret that Brother Gillespie , taking fright apparently at the supposed consequences of his investigation , should , in his subsequent communication ^ h ave abandoned his original line of argument , and taken shelter in a metaphysical disquisition on the innate perception by the human mind of a sacred triunity pervading all nature .
In venturing to differ from Brother Gillespie as to the value and meaning of the number 666 in the places cited—1 Kings x . 14 , and 2 Chronicles ix . 13 , —as well as to the significance of the equilateral triangle as a Masonic emblem of the Deity , I do so with a full
appreciation of the acquaintance displayed in his first paper with the value set by the ancients upon the properties of numbers . At the same time , he has not , as it appears to me , taken into consideration the marked distinction to be drawn between the opinions on this subject of the Pythagorean and the Eabbinical schools .
It is true that the Samian philosophers , having accompanied the returning army of Cambyses to Babylon , imbibed the learning of the Chaldsean sages at the same fount as did the Hebrew philosophers during and after the era of the captivity . But the Hebrew students of the occult philosophy and of the harmony and proportions of numbers were circumscribed in their speculations by strong
* "On the Mathematical and 3 \ fasonic Properties of the Number 6 (> 6 . — Freemasons' Magazwe , vol . iii ., p . 704 . f "On the Universality of the Grand Masonic Triunity . "—Freemasons ' Magazine , vol . iii . p . 857 .