The Letter “G”
In many Masonic jurisdictions, the letter ‘G’ in the Square & Compass is taken to mean God, the Supreme Being, and while it is an interpretation held by many Freemasons it is not a universal view.
There are some religious faiths which have an aversion to depicting the Supreme Being in any physical form whatsoever. For such individuals the Letter ‘G’ simply cannot stand for the God of their faith. Yet as the birth of modern Freemasonry is generally considered to have taken place on June, 24th, 1717 in the back of a Tavern in London. Considering the Freemasons who met on that date were probably of Christian faith and spoke English, “G” for God seems right.
Scottish Freemasonry does not impose the meaning of symbols (which would smack of dogma) on members, each individual is free to interpret them according to their own views.
Some take the Letter ‘G’ to represent GOODNESS, the essential goodness of Freemasonry and of humankind. Others argue that the letter ‘G’ stands for GEOMETRY the basis of the operative craft that gave birth to modern Freemasonry.
There is one Scottish Rosslyn Templar who argues vociferously that the Letter ‘G’ indicates GREEGRIMENT, an old Scots word meaning harmony or concord. There are other interpretations but these are, as far as we are aware, the three main ones, four if one includes the latter opinion. There are some countries, notably England, that no longer use the Letter ‘G’
So .. How do you interpret the “G” within the S&C? Lets hear your comments.
It is my feeling that the letter “G” firstly stands for Geometry, then stands for Deity. For those who don’t desire to express their Supreme Being in any written manner, let Geometry be its meaning!
Another aspect of meaning for the letter G can be found by looking to Pythagoras (“Number is all”) as referenced in the EA Tracing Board lecture…
In the English alphabet ‘G’ is the seventh letter.
In the Hebrew alphabet ‘G’ (Gimmel) is the third letter.
So in the one symbol we have both the Trinity that features in so many religions as well as the structure of the craft itself (i.e. 3 degrees !) and the so-called ‘Perfect Number’ 7 representing completion, perfection etc…
If we look at it that way this one symbol represents both the manifestation of the creator in the trinity, and the creation itself…
Greetings:
I understand that it is the first letter in the word
used to represent “Perfect Mason”. (Past Masters will understand).
We are constantly reminded to live by the Square and Compasses.
In viewing the letter “G” in the middle, it should remind
us of our journey to the Middle Chamber of King Solomons Temple, where
we find the letter “G” suspended in the east and reminding us to strive
for perfection.
I’m with George Edwards., it’s how we understand in our Lodge..,
I would also like to through another possibility into the mix and that the G is a possible transformation from the 3rd letter in the Greek Alphabet into our current letter G. The capitol representation of the 3rd letter in the Greek alphabet is easily perceived as a Masonic square, two straight lines, one shorter than the other joined at a 90 degree angle. That 3rd letter of the Greek Alphabet is Gamma. When we switch the square to be read as a Greek letter Gamma and then change the letter from the Greek alphabet and use the english Letter for the first Letter in Gamma we of course get G. I truly have no idea if this is right wrong or otherwise but I do believe that it is a possibility of the origin of the letter in our craft.
As Mr. Richard’s stated above “In viewing the letter “G” in the middle, it should remind
us of our journey to the Middle Chamber of King Solomons Temple, where
we find the letter “G” suspended in the east and reminding us to strive
for perfection.” Could it not have been a “square” that was suspended in the east reminding us of our perferction and over the years, that square being regarded as the letter Gamma in greek and then literlay translated to the letter G?
I find it an interesting concept and as a Mason it tends to make the most sense to me.
My thoughts immediately take me to the closing statement from the Tracing Board lecture in the Fellowcraft Degree. I quote
“When our ancient Brethren were in the middle chamber of the Temple their attention was peculiarly drawn to certain Hebrew characters which are here depicted by the Letter “G”. denoting GOD, the Grand Geometrician of the Universe., to whom we must all submit and whom we ought humbly to adore”
In this presentation I see a clear acknowledgement of the both the Hebrew & Geometric heritage, however, to me, the beauty of Freemasonry is the fact that each of us has the PERSONAL opportunity to look at all symbolism and take from it whatever we see to be relevant in our journey from the Rough to the Smooth Ashlar. Enjoy the trip!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to share.
I tend to agree with Bro McEvoy’s take on this from a ritual standpoint. Although in my heart I tend to go with the English viewpoint that there should be no ‘G’ in the compound symbol at all. I’ve seen pentacles instead of a G or a pentacle, G, or other symbol surmounting a glory. To me that would be the missing part, that is to say the glory. The newest attempt by our own Grand Lodge seems to me, less a symbol and more a trademark.