The Oldest Fraternity in the World
Freemasons follow a centuries-old tradition that started with the guilds of stonemasons in medieval times and evolved into an influential organisation that welcomed a broader membership in the 1700s in England. Today, Freemasonry is more relevant than ever, giving men support to navigate changing times and become the best they can be.
Throughout history, there have been many renowned Australian Freemasons, including Sir Edmund Barton, Henry Lawson, Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, Sir Robert Menzies and; Sir Donald Bradman, to name a few.
Symbolism
Core messages of Freemasonry are communicated to members through symbols. The use of symbols has a historical basis; craft guilds during medieval times demonstrated to their apprentices the proper way to work with their tools. At the time, apprentices came from low socio-economic backgrounds with low levels of education. The guilds at the time believed that a moral education was required to ensure that the apprentice not only achieved a high level of work but would not squander their trade with foolish decision making. Thus, the craft guilds started using the working tools of their craft as a means of passing on moral values to their members.
A symbol continues to teach even after many years of study. A mason gleans meaning from a symbol not only when he first encounters it but continues to learn from the symbol as time goes on. Typically when a Freemason passes a masonic milestone, he is given a lecture on the peculiar meaning of specific symbols. As the mason progresses through the art, he becomes aware of the initial meaning of the symbol and how that symbol can be applied in different contexts through life. The meaning of some symbols only becomes apparent the further a mason progresses in the art and science of Freemasonry. You have probably seen many symbols associated with Freemasonry throughout the world. The most famous is perhaps the square and compasses. Know that what you see from this symbol is probably different from what a mason sees.