About Our Seal

The seal of Academia Lodge has been carefully designed to embody the spirit of our lodge and its aspirations. Each aspect of it is derived directly from historical traditions within the Craft. The elements are arranged to be consistent with Masonic artwork found prior to 1800, evoking a classic and traditional Masonic atmosphere.

Although this older arrangement seems unusual to modern eyes, we have not employed these images just "to be different." Our interest is simply to recapture old traditions and bring them once again to light. These are forms that the Masons who founded our nation knew. Most importantly, they are contemporaneous with the development of the Preston-Webb ritual presently used in California and throughout most of the US (1772–1820). Simply put, these are images from the same time period which gave us the words of our degrees: the classical phase of Masonic development.

The Point within the Circle

The inner and outer geometric reference of the seal is the Point within the Circle, an ancient symbol adopted by Freemasonry. As every Mason is taught:

...there is, or should be, represented in every regular Lodge a certain point within a circle, the point representing an individual brother, and the circle the boundary line of his conduct, beyond which he should never suffer his passions, his prejudices or his interests to betray him. (California Monitor)

This lesson is carefully emphasized in the work of Academia Lodge, for—regardless of the nobility of our efforts—we are only true Freemasons if we put into daily practice the moral lessons taught in the Lodge.

The Vesica [article]

This shape is known as the vesica piscis, or "vessel of the fish." It is a simple geometric shape formed by the intersection of two circles, and it has a long traditional and Masonic history. Pictured at right is a woodcut that was used in England probably no later than the last quarter of the 18th century. It is a relic of the Antient Grand Lodge, which combined with the Moderns in 1813 to form the UGLE.

In the view of George Oliver, the vesica is "a universal exponent of architecture or Masonry, and the original source or fountain from which its signs and symbols are derived— it constituted the great and enduring secret of our ancient brethren." Albert G. Mackey, in his Encyclopædia, argues that since this shape was used to frame the seals of abbeys and colleges, "the seals of Masonic Lodges should also have that form, instead of the circular one now used."

Since both Oliver and Mackey, writing in the 1800s, lamented the neglect of old custom of the vesica in the seals of lodges, we decided to adopt the ancient style. It clearly evokes an 18th century atmosphere, and restores an interesting Masonic tradition.

The Tyler's Sword [article]

According to most Masonic sources, Tiler's sword is traditionally curved in allusion to the flaming, flashing, turning sword wielded by the cherubim tasked to guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden (Genesis 3:24). The implication seems to be that the Lodge, when in session, is something of a paradise which must be protected by the "cherub" of the tiler—in fact, many older lodges still use this style of blade for the Tiler's implement. Ours is inspired by the 1751 Grand Lodge seal depicted here, as well as by the monitorial symbol of a sword guarding the Book of Constitutions. The actual design of the sword in our seal is a realistic drawing, slightly shortened, of an actual Grand Lodge sword used in England in the 18th century, and still in existence. Here, the Sword is both pointing the way to and guarding the Holy Bible.

The Volume of the Sacred Law & the 47th Problem of Euclid

In the most commanding position on the seal is the Great Light of Masonry—the Holy Bible—open to the book of Genesis, with a drawing of Eulid's 47th problem on the facing leaf. These represent two cultural streams referring to universal Truth encompassing the natural and the relevatory. By uniting the geometric with the verbal, the seal vividly depicts the confluence of natural and revealed truth. Through a reciprocity similar to that found on the ceiling mosaic at Freemason's Hall in London, Greek intellectual wisdom is mated to and complimented by the prophetic vision of the Hebrews.

The Sun

The symbol of ths Sun rising from behind the VSL is a common image in Masonic artwork in the 1700s. For example, this apron from Durham in the North of England depicts a common 18th century design. Here, elements which figure into our seal are highlighted. Note that in the original design, there are two suns: one rising from behind the Bible, the other already in the "sky" adjascent to the moon. This could represent two Masonic suns: one rising and one at noon. And/or it could refer to the idea that the "Sun" rising from the Bible represents Masonic or spiritual light specifically, and not the mundane sun at all. In a way, it represents very fittingly the "view," so to speak, from the altar. We did not elect to differentiate between two suns in our more simplistic seal design. Our one symbolic Sun represents both the physical sun (including its poetic role in ritual) and the Great Light of the VSL. This apron must be dated between 1750 and 1800, most likely in the earlier half of that range.

The Moon and Stars

The moon is a Masonic symbol of the West of the Lodge and refers traditionally to the monthly meeting time, which was often on the night of the full moon. The stars refer to a Biblical passage familiar to Masons: " And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)

The Beehive

The beehive surrounded by bees is arranged opposite the moon surrounded by stars for its obvious visual parity. The beehive is among the oldest known Masonic symbols. In our lectures, it is tied to industry—not industry as we imagine it today, but the industrious labors of an active and aware mind:

Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God; and he that will so demean himself as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.

It serves as an apt reminder for every brother of our Lodge that he is always strongly encouraged to merit that status through his original contributions to our stock of wisdom.

The Square and Compass

In our design the Square and Compasses are shown at the top and bottom of the seal, and in a manner than some who are less familiar with Masonic history would suggest are "the wrong way." However, prior to 1800 it is easy to find examples of squares and compasses in all sorts of arrangements in Masonic artwork, especially this one. Note, in the apron picture above, that even when placed on the Bible, the arrangement of these two important symbols has historically varied.

In this circular Masonic jewel from 1755, we see many Masonic symbols, including the Square and Compass, in orientations which were common in the 1700s. The Square is shown as it is worn by the Master. The Compasses are shown as they are held by officers of the lodge during certain parts of the ritual.

The Plumbjewel

In our seal the Plumb hangs down from the top as from an officer's collar. A strange arrangement, perhaps, but one drawn directly from one of the oldest known Masonic artifacts: the Kirkwall Scroll. In the "holy of holies" panel of this ancient floorcloth, the noonday Sun is shown directly above the altar, flanked by cherubim. Within this sun we see the Plumbjewel hanging from a collar. Rather than merely the Plumb in the abstract, then, the person of the Junior Warden (or HAB himself) is implied. Our design has copied this fascinating element.

The Point within the Circle

In our seal the outer ring forms a circle, and the sun behind the VSL is the point in the center. This is apt, because the Point within the Circle is an ancient symbol for the sun. Pike says that its essential meaning is kabbalistic, and Preston's original lectures stipulate that its refers to the Shekhinah, or the divine presence that dwelt in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple. These are all meanings that may be interesting to the Masonic student.

The Chain of Union

The chain that encircles the whole seal is known in Masonic symbolism as the Chain of Union, otherwise known as the Mystic Tie or the Center of Union. It refers to the fact that while Masons may come to the Lodge from varying backgrounds and faiths, all become united as brothers in equality. According to the 1723 Constitutions, this is the Craft's foremost regulation, one "whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must else have remain'd at a perpetual Distance." The seventy-two links in the Chain around our seal allude to the members specifically, for our Lodge limits its number of members to seventy-two.

Our Motto

The motto of Academia Lodge, not depicted on the seal, is in viam initiatorum, meaning "in the way of the originators." It reflects the central value of the Lodge: to establish our Masonic practice in the footsteps of the legendary founders of our ancient Craft (the original three Master Masons). While nobody has a perfect knowledge of the original plan of Masonry, who the historical founders were, or what their intentions had been, we are committed to a reliance upon tradition as it can best be discerned and most profitably applied.

Further Information

The Vesica Piscis in Masonic Tradition