For many centuries, Freemasonry was something “mysterious” and “religious” for the average person. Although this is not entirely true. In order to dispel these common myths, today we will try to understand with you who the Freemasons are and what their significance is in the modern world.
So, let’s start from the beginning. Freemasons are a moral and ethical movement that aims to motivate people to constant self-improvement. Despite the fact that the first Grand Lodge was created in 1717, the first mentions of Freemasonry come from documents of the 13th century!
According to one of the theories, Masonic lodges used to be workshops where masons (builders of temples) gathered. Over time, more and more people joined Freemasonry, who by that time were no longer building temples, but engaged in “spiritual construction”. It is not for nothing that the sign of the Freemasons consists of an all-seeing eye, a triangle and a compass – symbols of striving for perfection, prudence and brotherhood.
15 facts about Freemasons
What is interesting, in the USA women cannot become members of Masonic lodges. But freemasons from Europe usually accept representatives of both sexes into their circles. Surprised? Here are 15 more incredible facts about Freemasonry that you might not know.
- Many of the first Freemasons were illiterate
This is evidenced by a large number of symbols that have remained to this day. Such symbols were used to organize and teach those members of the brotherhood who could not read.
- How do Masons recognize each other?
It is thanks to this ancient symbolism that Masons can easily recognize each other in the crowd. For this, they use patches on clothes (for example, a Masonic emblem) or the famous “Masonic handshake” (we are not Masons, so it will remain a mystery to us:)
- “Temporary” or “irregular” Freemasons
The term “irregular” Freemasons refers to those people or organizations that, although they call themselves Masonic, have no relation to the worldwide Masonic brotherhood. Such “masons” do not observe the basic laws of freemasonry (landmarks).
- Freemasonry and Communism
Freemasons were banned in almost all communist states. Cuba was an exception. Since Freemasons took an active part in revolutionary activities, there they were able to freely develop and spread their ideas.
- The role of Freemasons in secret conspiracy theories
Very often you can hear about Freemasons in conspiracy theories (on par with the Illuminati). However, they have nothing in common. In addition, Freemasonry is not a secret brotherhood.
- Freemasons cannot be atheists
Any 21-year-old person (in most cases a man) who believes in the existence of a higher power (Allah, God, Buddha, etc.) can become a Freemason. Freemasons use the generalized name Great Architect for this.
- The most famous Freemasons
Famous scientists, writers, artists and actors belonged to the circle of freemasons. For example, Charles Darwin and Mark Twain never hid it. Famous statesmen and even presidents were here: Edgar Hoover, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington.
- The first freemason in space
Sounds like the beginning of a conspiracy theory, but Masons have already been to space. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin became the first Mason-cosmonaut. It was he who called the Moon “the territorial jurisdiction of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Texas”.
- Hitler and the Freemasons
Why were Freemasons banned in Nazi Germany? Hitler persecuted the members of Masonic lodges, calling them complicit in a secret conspiracy with the Jews. In particular, he blamed the Masons and still is Jews in the fact that Germany lost the First World War. According to various sources, between 80,000 and 200,000 freemasons were destroyed by the Nazis.
- Freemasonry – a religious movement?
Freemasons assure that they are not a religious movement or organization. Freemasonry participants can be called theists – they believe in the existence of a higher power, but do not specify any of the religions.
- Masonic brotherhood “out of politics”
Freemasons cannot testify against each other in court. In addition, there is information that during the American Civil War, Masonic participants from the opposing sides, recognizing “their” rival in the opponent, cooperated and helped each other.
- How to become a freemason?
If you want to become a member of a Masonic lodge, as it is known, you need to be a 21-year-old independent person in good standing who is not an atheist. Also, in order to become a freemason, each candidate must pass a series of tests, and only after that a decision will be made as to whether he can enter the “circle of the chosen”.
- Freemasons in the modern world
There are about five million people in the modern world. The largest number of the Masonic brotherhood in the USA is almost two million. A significant part of Freemasons is also in Great Britain – about 480 thousand members.
- Many famous Ukrainians were Freemasons
Ukraine was also not spared by freemasonry. Masons were such famous Ukrainians as Simon Petliura, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Stanislav Pototskyi. The Grand Masonic Lodge of Ukraine also operates on the territory of our state.
- The connection between Freemasons and the hryvnia
At one time, there was a real commotion among Ukrainians when the NBU issued a new 500-hryvnia bill. The fact is that it depicts a circle, a triangle and an eye inside – similar to the sign of Freemasonry. However, as it turned out later, freemasons are useless here. This is just an image of the author’s drawing by Hryhoriy Skovoroda.
Do you think Skovoroda was a Freemason? Write your answers in the comments:
