2007-07-24 17:31:40 · 6 answers · asked by Martha S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
The G alone is a masonic symbol, the G within the Square and Compasses is a modern invention of American Freemasonry, now utilised around the world, but not an original masonic symbol. I believe the earliest known use of it was the early 1770's, 73 I think...
There area number of theories regarding the letter G.
It is suggested that in its earliest form that it was not a letter G at all, but the Gimmel,sometimes considered the true Masonic square. The choice of the symbol, agains suggested, comes straight from the Pythagoreans. The G was the initial letter for Earth (the goddess Gaia), and also stood for Geomotry, coming from Ge (again as in todays symbol it stands for both God and Geometry, both the builders of all things in the world).
It is from this original form, and carrying its original meanings in to more modern times, that some believe Freemasonry placed the G into the S&C.
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Also we can look to the 2nd degree tracing board, where it is explained the G denotes God. The geometrical representation of 4 is the square, four is the oldest square number, and therefore the best representation of the square and the tetragrammaton, the initial letter of Gamma (the square letter).
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I am not sure when the G was first seen, but i do know it stood for Geometry first and its meaning first being explained as god being in Pritchards expose in the early 1700's, and not a masonic writing, where he alludes to a second, not primary, meaning to this letter. There is a more detailed writing stating a meaning other than Geometry in a French expose later in mid 1700's where it details a question an answer section during a passing ceremony. It details the G meaning "God, that is to say DIEU, meaning someone greater than I"
The 'G' is normally displayed in the centre of the lodge, as the Geomatrician is the centre of all things.
2007-07-24 21:52:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Geometry
2007-07-24 17:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by Rick G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original, I think it has something to do with geometry, like they believe that all things in the world extend from math~
Today, it may be interpreted as God~
2007-07-24 17:36:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't stand for anything. Its a symbol. Freemasonry is in many languages.
The G has to be a symbol. But only freemasons know what it means.
2007-07-24 17:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by $0.02 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The official stance is that it stands for God.
2007-07-24 17:34:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
gangster? lol
2007-07-24 17:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋