Masonic Miscellany

Q: What is the significance of the Chequered Carpet or Mosaic Pavement? A: An explanation of the Mosaic pavement is also given in the 5th Section of the 1st Lecture: As in the 1st Degree TB - It is described as the beautiful flooring of the Lodge by reason of its being variegated and chequered. This, points out the diversity of objects which decorate and adorn the creation, as well as the inanimate parts thereof. The Indented or Tessellated Border refers us to the Planets, which in their various revolutions for a beautiful border or skirt work round that grand luminary, the Sun, as the other does round that of a Freemasons Lodge.

Q: Why are the knees bared for the Obligations in the 3 Degree's? A: The mode of preparation in all 3 Degree’s is entirely symbolic. In Operative Lodges the candidate was required to kneel with both knees bare on the rough ashlar, so that nothing was interposed between his flesh and the stone. This perpetuated the ancient concept that the strength and stability of the stone would be transmitted to the Candidate, so that an oath taken on a stone in this manner would be inviolable.

In speculative Freemasonry we now have bared left knee in the 1st Degree. The left side has always been regarded as the weaker side of man, the Candidate is taking his first or weakest step when he is being initiated, for which reason he steps off with his left foot. It logically follows that the left side is considered to typify an Apprentice and is the reason why the bare left knee is used in the 1st Degree. Whilst you took it on your left knee, your inherent weakness was strengthened by placing your right hand on the volume of the Sacred Law.

Kneeling should also remind the Candidate of the posture of his daily supplications due to his creator. In the 2nd Degree the mode of preparation is reversed and the right knee is bared. In the 3rd Degree both knees are bare as was the case with our Operative brethren mentioned earlier.

Thanks to the PGL Warwickshire.