Legendele, miturile si simbolurile Francmasoneriei

by Albert G. MacKey

Albert Mackey, cea mai respectata voce in masoneria americana de la sfarsitul secolului XIX, realizeaza in prezentul volum o sinteza a principalelor mituri, simboluri si legende ale francmasoneriei.

Dupa parerea sa, "obiectul legendelor masonice nu este stabilirea unor fapte istorice, ci transmiterea unor doctrine filozofice. Ele sunt o metoda prin care se comunica invataturile ezoterice, iar studentul le accepta fara referire la altceva decat utilitatea si semnificatia lor in dezvoltarea dogmelor masonice. Sa luam, de exemplu, legenda hiramica a celui de-al treilea grad.

Ce importanta are pentru discipolul in masonerie daca ea este adevarata sau falsa? Tot ce vrea el sa cunoasca este semnificatia sa interna; iar atunci cand afla ca scopul ei este sa ilustreze doctrina nemuririi sufletului, el este satisfacut de acea interpretare si nu considera necesar sa-i investigheze acuratetea istorica sau sa-i reconcilieze contradictiile aparente. La fel cu legenda pietrei unghiulare pierdute; sau a celui de-al doilea templu; sau a arcei ascunse - toate acestea sunt pentru el naratiuni legendare care au valoare doar pentru nestemata pe care o contin. Fiecare din aceste legende este expresia unei idei filozofice.

Dar mai exista si o alta metoda de instruire masonica, cea prin simboluri. Nicio stiinta nu este mai veche decat cea a simbolismului. Candva, aproape toate invataturile din lume erau transmise prin simboluri. Si chiar daca filozofia moderna se exprima acum exclusiv in propozitii abstracte, Francmasoneria ramane credincioasa vechii metode, pe care a pastrat-o, in toata importanta sa originara, ca pe o metoda de comunicare a cunoasterii.

Dar, desi in Francmasonerie exista doua moduri de instructie - prin legende si prin simboluri -, in fapt, intre ele nu exista nicio deosebire esentiala. Simbolul este o reprezentare vizibila, iar legenda o reprezentare audibila a unei idei ce se vrea pusa in evidenta - a unei conceptii morale produse printr-o comparatie. Atat legenda, cat si simbolul sunt legate de dogme avand un profund caracter religios; ambele sunt purtatoare de sentimente morale si ambele sunt menite ca prin aceasta metoda sa ilustreze filozofia Masoneriei speculative".

Genres: Occult, Reference, Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, Amazon, Classics

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Albert Gallatin Mackey was a medical doctor and Freemason who served as Grand Lecturer and Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, as well as Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.

Reviews

[Chuck Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many years ago, I was introduced to Freemasonry. The symbology and the teachings fascinated me as a technique to teach simple to complicated ideas and principles. Several years have passed and I've read a little here and a little there more on Freemasonry. I found that this book gives good background for many of the basics of modern day ritual and procedures. It was also easy to see where some have attempted to incorporate these principles into their own lives or religions.

The author's presentation is easily readable and provides adequate background information all along the way to guide the reader through the maze of sometimes conflicting ideas and opinions. I would recommend this book to anyone who truly wishes to obtain a better understanding of the nature of Freemasonry. This work is well worth the time needed to read through it!

[Harriet Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Symbolism of Freemasonry

The Symbolism of Freemasonry is
A fairly interesting book but I wonder how accurate it is . It uses some terminology that educated people would never use, such as "Jewish Church" and misspelled the word "Hindu".
Also, how would he know this?

I don't know if I can recommend this book.

[Tom Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very technical book. I liked how he traces the origins of Freemasonry. I think it provides an excellent foundation to help one's understanding of how Freemasonry got to where it is today.

[Richard Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Freemason book that's very cryptic and had to follow unless you are one. Would recommend it unless your one

[Freda Minton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY liked this book!

Written in the late 1800’s, it is still easy enough to read if you have a decent vocabulary.

What is so interesting is that it isn’t just about Freemasonry symbolism, but traces the symbolism back even further to some societies and shows how it could have evolved through history.

I’m not sure if it would be a spoiler for EA & FC - it doesn’t go into detail of ritual, etc. But it might be best to wait until a person is a MM as ones head is spinning enough anyway at the start.

As to the accuracy? I really wouldn’t know as I’m not knowledgable enough. However, there are many references and endnotes, so I think it is.

[Ronald Zarach · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was informative. I was hard to follow. I had to start it three times before I got all the way through.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

More basic than what I was hoping for.