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The Checkered Flooring
March 7, 2009 by The Euphrates 9 Comments
The mosaic pavement of the lodge is discussed in the lecture of the first degree.
This is commonly described as the checkered carpet which covers the floor of the lodge. The
lecture says that the mosaic pavement is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomons
Temple and is emblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil.
In the account of King Solomons Temple in the Bible, the ground floor is said to be made of pine
or fir, depending on which translation of the Bible that you read (1 Ki 6:15). It is hard to imagine
that pine or fir flooring would be particularly mosaic in nature. However, it can be agreed that
the mosaic pavement represents the ground floor of King Solomons Temple in the Entered
Apprentice degree because that ceremony symbolically takes place in that location.
While these facts may not be particularly intriguing, the symbolism of the checkered carpeting
presents some interesting concepts.
Mackeys Encyclopedia of Freemasonry discusses the symbol of the the mosaic pavement.
The mosaic pavement in an old symbol of the Order. It is
met with in the earliest rituals of the last century. It is
classed among the ornaments of the lodge along with the
indented tessel and the blazing star. Its party-colored
stones of black and white have been readily and
appropriately interpreted as symbols of the evil and good
of human life.
1
So from this information, it can be understood that the
concept of duality has played a part in Masonic symbolism
since the early days of the fraternity. While duality is not
often discussed in the ritual of the Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite mentions this concept numerous
times. The Rite makes the ideas of dualism, or opposition, in the universe an important part of
its theme. Indeed, the ideas of the Kabbala and the Alchemists are used in the Scottish Rite to
discuss this concept in several of the degrees.
2
The lecture pertaining to the 15
th
Degree, Knight of the East and West, discusses the idea of
duality or good and evil as a conflict. Pike writes God is great, and good, and wise. Evil and pain
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The Checkered Flooring Freemason Information http://freemasoninformation.com/2009/03/the-checkered-flooring/
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and sorrow are temporary, and for wise and beneficent purposesUltimately, Good will prevail,
and Evil be overthrown.
3
But while this idea of duality and the conflict between good and evil are cause for contemplation,
it can be confusing to understand how they apply to our actions as Masons.
When thinking about the idea of duality and the
concept of good and evil, black and white, sacred and
profane, an image that immediately enters my mind is
that of the Yin-Yang. While this symbol has become a
sort of pop culture icon in recent times, its symbolism
is deep and its meaning applicable to this subject.
While it has numerous interpretations, the yin-yang
demonstrates the concept of duality and balance.
4
The synonym balance is an important term because of
the position of the checkered carpet: the floor, where
the foundation of the erect human body may be
found. The Mason is taught to avoid irregularity and intemperance and to divide his time equally
by the use of the twenty-four inch gauge. These lessons refer to the importance of balance in a
Masons life. Therefore, the symbolism of the mosaic pavement could be interpreted to mean
that balance provides the foundation for our Masonic growth.
Maintaining balance allows us to adhere to many Masonic teachings. By maintaining balance, we
may be able to stand upright in our several stations before God and man. The Entered
Apprentice is charged to keep balance in his life so that he may ensure public and private
esteem. It is also very interesting that the concept of justice is represented by a scale which is
balanced and that justice is described as being the foundation of civil society in the first degree of
Masonry.
There is a vast variety of symbolism presented to the new initiate in the first degree. It is very
easy for the symbol of the mosaic pavement and its several meanings to be lost in the sea of
information provided upon our first admission into the lodge. But a deeper look demonstrates
that this symbol serves to demonstrate ideals which form the foundation of our individual
Masonic growth, the Masonic fraternity, and even the entire human society. Living in balance
makes us healthy, happy, and just. If our feet are well balanced, both literally and figuratively,
we may be able to serve the purpose of the fraternity faithfully.
Mackey, Albert. An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences p. 494. 1.
Hutchens, Rex. A Bridge to Light p. 18. 2.
Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma p. 274 3.
Symbols and Their Meaning. Kjos Ministries. http://www.crossroad.to/Books
/symbols1.html.
4.
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Filed Under: The Euphrates Tagged With: black and white, checkered floor, education, first degree,
Freemasonry, pavement, Symbolism
Comments
Jeff Day says:
March 8, 2009 at 9:23 am
A great man once said Two players. Two sides. One is light, one is dark.
Daniel Lewis says:
March 9, 2009 at 8:25 am
Hey, a very interesting article there.
Wilmshurst wrote about the floor: The dualism of these opposites governs us in everything,
and experience of it is prescribed for us until such time as, having learned and outgrown its
lesson, we are ready for advancement to a condition where we outgrow the sense of this
chequer-work existence and those opposites cease to be perceived as opposites, but are
realized as a unity or synthesis.. In The Meaning of Masonry, chapter 3 (Available at:
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/webofhiram/?section=meaning_of_masonry&
page=ChapterIII.html )
I think that the chequered flooring is crucial to the understanding of good and evil, as if one
side didnt exist then the other wouldnt exist. This is why, within some Christian
interpretations/denominations, the idea of good (i.e. God) created the idea of bad (i.e.
fallen angels, such as the Devil). So, its not just in eastern philosophy/religion that we see a
Yin/Yang type metaphor, but we also see it in Abrahamic faiths (such as Christianity) too.
Therefore going back to the flooring of Freemasonry, it says that in nature there are always
going to be ups and downs, goods and bads and we have to deal with that. We have to
keep on working towards that smooth ashlar.
Once again, great article.
All the best,
Bro. Daniel Lewis
* St Vincent Lodge 1404 (Province of Bristol, UGLE). (p.s. at the time of writing this, Im an
Entered Apprentice)
Tom Accuosti says:
March 9, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Direct and to the point. Nice observations, Jeff.
Autumn says:
April 22, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Great information. Straight and to the point. Thank you.
Harry. says:
May 14, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Answer this.
What square do YOU stand on,black or white ?
Danissa says:
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December 20, 2011 at 8:12 am
Very informative.Good stuff.Im just starting my journey to awesomeness.
Nota tard says:
February 11, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Ya Many have evolved beyond this primitive symbolism. For instance, there is no good and
evil, these are ambiguous constructs, they mean something only to someone convinced of
their existence. Labels are not indicative of underlying truth, only perceptual limits, the need
for a label, the need to create distinction between things is a fundamentally primitive
mindset. A better metaphor would be a mirror, to show us that we are what we think we are,
nothing more or less.
Soldierluke says:
April 7, 2012 at 9:10 am
I like the symbolism of duality, you can never break away from something thats not holding
you. I have read books of great minds and physically traveled all over the world, and that
helped me broaden my level of LIGHT. If you live your life on the level, there will always be
boundaries you shouldnt cross. Its for the good of ones personal order that they govern
themselves accordingly. When youre mentally ready to step out of your square, that is when
the learning of true knowlege begin. You should be aware when you seek knowlege outside
that which you understand there will always be good and bad knowlege that you must
CYPHER through. Your travel to become a perfect Ashlar ends with death but in the great
sense of Duality all the knowlege you inhaled can be exhaled. Keep seeking that knowledge
Brothers and Sisters and on your travel spread your understanding of your square to those
facing East and those lost in the wilderness. The higher you climb the Zigorat the better the
view of the floor youre leaving. Where theres wilderness, understanding, and
misunderstanding on the floor;you must climb above that and seek the capstone of
knowlege and light above the Zigorat. Those steps of knowlege make a charming snake that
spoke to ADAMO. When ADAMO learned the DEGREE of difficulty facing them, they climbed
on for understanding (LIGHT). You too must make this climb, will you rise like Hiram or
attempt to steal and kill like the three ruffian.
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