Our history and traditions
One of the aspects of Freemasonry that draws many men to become involved is its rich heritage and symbolism. Ancient documents trace the evolution of its ideas from antiquity to the Middle Ages to the present day.
Modern Freemasonry started as a brotherhood of stonemasons who built the great cathedrals of Europe but by the 1700s it had become a society that admitted people from all walks of life.
The first Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of England, was founded on 24 June 1717. By the 1730s Freemasonry had found its way to North America and it has had a presence in Australia since the early 1800s.
The first recorded Masonic activity in Queensland was in the state’s foundation year of 1859. The inaugural meeting of the ‘North Australian Lodge No 1’ was held in July 1859 in Albert Street in Brisbane.
In 1862, a Masonic Lodge was established in Rockhampton and others throughout Queensland followed as townships developed.
Our rituals and symbols
Our ceremonies are used to pass on knowledge and marking a man’s progress through life and learning.
The exact content of some rituals is one of the aspects of Freemasonry that remains confidential. We believe that our rituals, like many traditional rituals, have more power and significance through being revealed to initiates at the appropriate time. We certainly have nothing illegal, occult or abnormal to hide.
The origin of many of the symbols of Freemasonry is lost in time. Some speculate they go back to the building of King Solomon’s temple, others that they arose in Scotland in the 13th century or from the stonemasons’ guilds of the Middle Ages. Wherever the truth lies, the symbols continue to have power and resonance today.
Freemasonry – from Europe to the world
Freemasonry – from Europe to the world
Our four most widely seen symbols are:
Square and compasses
The square and compasses is the most widely recognised symbol of Freemasonry. It can be seen on Lodge buildings, on Masonic regalia and other items worn by Freemasons. Originating from the tools that stonemasons used to judge if things were ‘on the level’ or ‘true’, the square symbolises morality and the compasses symbolise the boundaries of right conduct. Sometimes the letter ‘G’ is contained within the space and represents ‘God’ (or Great Architect of the Universe).
Masonic eye
The Masonic eye is a symbol passed down from antiquity to represent the all-seeing eye of God. As well as having origins in Judeo-Christian tradition, the eye was also used by the ancient Egyptians to symbolise Osiris, their chief deity.
Masonic apron
The apron is another ancient symbol and has many historical references, which become clear to the Freemason as he progresses on his Masonic journey. It is symbolic of the ancient stonemasons’ aprons and the style of apron changes according to rank.
Ashlars
These blocks of stone are seen in both their rough-hewn and smooth forms symbolising the raw material of each man and his development as a true and fitting member of the community who achieves the best he can be.
“Freemasonry is founded on the immutable laws of Truth
and Justice and its grand object is to promote the happiness of
the human race.” – George Washington