Symbol of the Masonic Lodge – The Acacia and the Immortality of the Human Soul
Website design By BotEap.comTHE ACACIA
Website design By BotEap.com“I will plant cedar, acacia and myrtle in the desert,
and the olive tree; I will put the cypress in the desert, and the
pine and boxwood together:” Website design By BotEap.com41:19 Website design By BotEap.comThe symbolism of the acacia, or evergreen tree, is well known as a symbol of the Masonic Lodge throughout Freemasonry. It was planted to mark the burial site of a celebrated artist important to Masonic teachings. An evergreen sprig is used by the undertaker during each Masonic funeral ceremony. The acacia wood that the children of Israel supposedly used in the construction of the Tabernacle of Moses, as well as in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, is a species of acacia. Being a prickly tamarisk, it also grew around the corpse of Osiris in Egyptian legend and formed the crown of thorns crushed on Christ’s forehead during his Passion. In all these events, the acacia represented immortality, for its tenacity of life. Without a doubt, the tamarisk was extraordinarily difficult to kill. Website design By BotEap.comThe ancients identified the acacia with the more sensitive plant known as the mimosa. A Coptic legend informs us that the mimosa was the first of all trees and shrubs to worship Christ. In fact, some of the early fathers of Christianity used the tree to symbolize Christ. As such, the ancients intended to convey the notion that trees, plants, and shrubs were living life forms that breathed and were animated with Divine Light. Website design By BotEap.comTrees are often mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the writings of so-called pagans. As examples, we find messages about creation hidden with symbols such as the Tree of Life, which represents the spiritual point of balance or equilibrium, and the Tree of Knowledge, which represents polarity in the form of good and evil. Moses heard the voice of God emanating from a burning bush. Buddha received enlightenment from him while he was under the bodhi tree and the consecrated wand of Hermes was but one type of tree. Website design By BotEap.comPhilosophers and priests were often called trees. The very name of the Druids supposedly means “the men of the oaks”. Initiates into certain Syrian mysteries were called “cedars.” In fact, the famous “cedars of Lebanon” described in the First Degree of Freemasonry were wise initiates who constituted the true supports of King Solomon’s Temple. If one listens carefully to the lessons in the First Degree, one will hear that the three pillars in the lodge symbolically represent the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, originally regarded as three exceptionally wise and talented men who spiritually led the Entered Apprentices, Fellow . and Masters, or supervisors of the work. Website design By BotEap.comAs opposed to symbolizing specific people, Freemasonry uses acacia to represent certain principles of spirituality that all people should aspire to attain. First, it is the emblem of the vernal equinox, or annual resurrection of the sun from the dead of winter. Second, it signifies purity and innocence, traits also embodied in the legendary character Hiram Abif. Third, it typifies human immortality and the regeneration of life. The evergreen tree represents that immortal part of man that survives the destruction of the physical body and will never, ever, ever die. Finally, it is the revered emblem of the Mysteries of ancient Egypt, to which Freemasonry owes much of its foundation. Website design By BotEap.comThe legend of Hiram Abif is liberally drawn from the Egyptian mystery ritual of the murder and resurrection of Osiris. As such, the sprig of acacia also represents Hiram’s resurrection for all Masons. In Egyptian legend, the chest containing the body of Osiris, who was brutally killed by Typhon, was washed ashore and lodged in the roots of a tamarisk or acacia tree. The tamarisk grew into a mighty tree that encased within itself the body of the slain god. Some writers have theorized that this legend is the basis on which the story about the sprig of acacia left in Hiram’s grave was based. Others have also claimed that the current Christmas tree is a continuation of the mystery of the evergreen tree. Website design By BotEap.comAmong Masons, the essential lesson taught by the acacia concerns the permanence of the human soul. The theme of permanence is grouped in the various theologies and philosophies that arise from the notion of resurrection. Today, certain religions teach that when a human being finally dies, both his soul and his material body continue in a heavenly environment. Other religions hold that only the soul continues to live. Most accept the statement that souls always were and always will be living organisms. Regardless of the interpretation one selects regarding an afterlife, Freemasonry attaches an equally important meaning to this life. Website design By BotEap.comFor centuries, men have asked the same question: what is the purpose of human life? Hundreds of thousands have joined Freemasonry over the years hoping for an answer, only to learn that the Craft sends them back to their churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to seek further knowledge. As a candidate passes through the degrees of Masonry, he is informed that true knowledge is never found in one place. A man must seek everywhere there is knowledge to understand his relation to the Great Architect. Website design By BotEap.comDuring that search, it is as if the inquiring mind sooner or later stumbled upon the teachings of Origen, who lived, wrote, and instructed between A.D. 185. C. and 254 d. C. At one period in Christian history, Origen was considered the most accurate. of all interpreters on the human soul. Although the Church later dismissed him as a heretic, he originally taught that souls repeat themselves in material incarnation, a teaching now called reincarnation. Origen believed that each human being contained a spark of the Creator that had no beginning or end. In his literary work entitled De Principils, Origen wrote: “Every soul…comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of the previous life. Its place in this world as an appointed vessel for honor or dishonor, is determined by his previous merits or demerits. His work in this world determines his place in the world to follow.” Website design By BotEap.comNeither accepting nor rejecting reincarnation, Freemasonry makes a similar demand of its members as to how each should live the life they have been given. Masons are called to live spiritually strong lives; not lives weakened by self-centeredness. When Pike wrote that every man had a job to do, he challenged every Mason to not only make the most of the circumstances in which he found himself, but to do so by serving others. Pray for others, feed the hungry, give to the poor, lavish love on your neighbor and provide for the spiritual growth of your family: it is these aspects that Freemasonry instills in the hearts and souls of honest members of the Craft. . Website design By BotEap.comAcacia reminds us that while our lives are not limited by time, our material existence is controlled by time. No man knows how much time he has, but he must know that time is running out. If a good deed is to be done in this life, it must be done today, because tomorrow is in God’s hands. As we breathe, stand, walk and talk we can do something that improves the lot of our brothers. When time is no more, that work will be done by those left behind and we ourselves will give no more. Although life will always continue beyond man’s earthly existence, man’s love, giving and sharing with others will cease when he returns to earth and his soul to God who gave it.
and the olive tree; I will put the cypress in the desert, and the
pine and boxwood together:” Website design By BotEap.com41:19 Website design By BotEap.comThe symbolism of the acacia, or evergreen tree, is well known as a symbol of the Masonic Lodge throughout Freemasonry. It was planted to mark the burial site of a celebrated artist important to Masonic teachings. An evergreen sprig is used by the undertaker during each Masonic funeral ceremony. The acacia wood that the children of Israel supposedly used in the construction of the Tabernacle of Moses, as well as in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, is a species of acacia. Being a prickly tamarisk, it also grew around the corpse of Osiris in Egyptian legend and formed the crown of thorns crushed on Christ’s forehead during his Passion. In all these events, the acacia represented immortality, for its tenacity of life. Without a doubt, the tamarisk was extraordinarily difficult to kill. Website design By BotEap.comThe ancients identified the acacia with the more sensitive plant known as the mimosa. A Coptic legend informs us that the mimosa was the first of all trees and shrubs to worship Christ. In fact, some of the early fathers of Christianity used the tree to symbolize Christ. As such, the ancients intended to convey the notion that trees, plants, and shrubs were living life forms that breathed and were animated with Divine Light. Website design By BotEap.comTrees are often mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the writings of so-called pagans. As examples, we find messages about creation hidden with symbols such as the Tree of Life, which represents the spiritual point of balance or equilibrium, and the Tree of Knowledge, which represents polarity in the form of good and evil. Moses heard the voice of God emanating from a burning bush. Buddha received enlightenment from him while he was under the bodhi tree and the consecrated wand of Hermes was but one type of tree. Website design By BotEap.comPhilosophers and priests were often called trees. The very name of the Druids supposedly means “the men of the oaks”. Initiates into certain Syrian mysteries were called “cedars.” In fact, the famous “cedars of Lebanon” described in the First Degree of Freemasonry were wise initiates who constituted the true supports of King Solomon’s Temple. If one listens carefully to the lessons in the First Degree, one will hear that the three pillars in the lodge symbolically represent the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, originally regarded as three exceptionally wise and talented men who spiritually led the Entered Apprentices, Fellow . and Masters, or supervisors of the work. Website design By BotEap.comAs opposed to symbolizing specific people, Freemasonry uses acacia to represent certain principles of spirituality that all people should aspire to attain. First, it is the emblem of the vernal equinox, or annual resurrection of the sun from the dead of winter. Second, it signifies purity and innocence, traits also embodied in the legendary character Hiram Abif. Third, it typifies human immortality and the regeneration of life. The evergreen tree represents that immortal part of man that survives the destruction of the physical body and will never, ever, ever die. Finally, it is the revered emblem of the Mysteries of ancient Egypt, to which Freemasonry owes much of its foundation. Website design By BotEap.comThe legend of Hiram Abif is liberally drawn from the Egyptian mystery ritual of the murder and resurrection of Osiris. As such, the sprig of acacia also represents Hiram’s resurrection for all Masons. In Egyptian legend, the chest containing the body of Osiris, who was brutally killed by Typhon, was washed ashore and lodged in the roots of a tamarisk or acacia tree. The tamarisk grew into a mighty tree that encased within itself the body of the slain god. Some writers have theorized that this legend is the basis on which the story about the sprig of acacia left in Hiram’s grave was based. Others have also claimed that the current Christmas tree is a continuation of the mystery of the evergreen tree. Website design By BotEap.comAmong Masons, the essential lesson taught by the acacia concerns the permanence of the human soul. The theme of permanence is grouped in the various theologies and philosophies that arise from the notion of resurrection. Today, certain religions teach that when a human being finally dies, both his soul and his material body continue in a heavenly environment. Other religions hold that only the soul continues to live. Most accept the statement that souls always were and always will be living organisms. Regardless of the interpretation one selects regarding an afterlife, Freemasonry attaches an equally important meaning to this life. Website design By BotEap.comFor centuries, men have asked the same question: what is the purpose of human life? Hundreds of thousands have joined Freemasonry over the years hoping for an answer, only to learn that the Craft sends them back to their churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to seek further knowledge. As a candidate passes through the degrees of Masonry, he is informed that true knowledge is never found in one place. A man must seek everywhere there is knowledge to understand his relation to the Great Architect. Website design By BotEap.comDuring that search, it is as if the inquiring mind sooner or later stumbled upon the teachings of Origen, who lived, wrote, and instructed between A.D. 185. C. and 254 d. C. At one period in Christian history, Origen was considered the most accurate. of all interpreters on the human soul. Although the Church later dismissed him as a heretic, he originally taught that souls repeat themselves in material incarnation, a teaching now called reincarnation. Origen believed that each human being contained a spark of the Creator that had no beginning or end. In his literary work entitled De Principils, Origen wrote: “Every soul…comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of the previous life. Its place in this world as an appointed vessel for honor or dishonor, is determined by his previous merits or demerits. His work in this world determines his place in the world to follow.” Website design By BotEap.comNeither accepting nor rejecting reincarnation, Freemasonry makes a similar demand of its members as to how each should live the life they have been given. Masons are called to live spiritually strong lives; not lives weakened by self-centeredness. When Pike wrote that every man had a job to do, he challenged every Mason to not only make the most of the circumstances in which he found himself, but to do so by serving others. Pray for others, feed the hungry, give to the poor, lavish love on your neighbor and provide for the spiritual growth of your family: it is these aspects that Freemasonry instills in the hearts and souls of honest members of the Craft. . Website design By BotEap.comAcacia reminds us that while our lives are not limited by time, our material existence is controlled by time. No man knows how much time he has, but he must know that time is running out. If a good deed is to be done in this life, it must be done today, because tomorrow is in God’s hands. As we breathe, stand, walk and talk we can do something that improves the lot of our brothers. When time is no more, that work will be done by those left behind and we ourselves will give no more. Although life will always continue beyond man’s earthly existence, man’s love, giving and sharing with others will cease when he returns to earth and his soul to God who gave it.