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Freemason Symbol & Mackey's Symbolism | Macoy Publishing

By Albert G. Mackey - from his book Symbolism of Freemasonry

This video and article was written and produced by Steve McCall, owner of Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply.  March 1, 2026.  NO AI was used in creating this.  Just 176 years of Masonic publishing heritage and actually going to lodge regularly.   

Answers to masonic questions

Why do Freemasons use Operative masonry tools as masonic symbols?

Why Albert G Mackey believes King Solomon's Temple is the most prominent Freemason Symbol of all?

How the link between operative masonry and speculative freemasonry explains the meaning behind Freemason Symbols.

What this video says:

Why Freemasons use Symbols.

“Freemasonry is a science of morality, developed and inculcated by the ancient method of symbolism. The wisdom of the…ancients is symbolic. Man’s earliest instruction was by symbols. In the first ages of the world, all propositions, theological, political, or scientific, were expressed in symbols. At a time when language was in its infancy, visible symbols were the most vivid means of acting upon the minds of people. Words are arbitrary symbols..(with which) we utter our ideas.

Why Freemasons use Operative Masons Symbols.

Masonry, an operative art, is familiar to everyone. It applies the rules and principles of architecture to the construction of buildings. It employs implements and materials which are peculiar to itself.

Freemasonry, applies the rules and principles, the language, the implements and materials of operative Masonry to the veneration of God, and the purification of the heart.

The Symbols of Freemasonry:

King Solomon’s Temple.

The spiritualizing of the temple is the most prominent of all the symbolic instruction of Freemasonry. It is the link that binds operative and speculative Freemasonry. (Freemasons use the image of building King Solomon’s temple as the framework to build their own spiritual building).

The Trestle Board

The operative mason erects his temporal building in accordance to the rules and designs the master-workman laid down on the trestle-board. (The speculative Freemason must follow) precepts and commands laid down by the grand Architect of the universe, in those great books of nature and revelation, which constitute (his) spiritual trestle-board. The trestle-board is the symbol of the natural and moral law. The interpretation of the symbol shall be according to what each one supposes to be the revealed will of his Creator.

The Rough and Perfect Ashlar

The operative mason (found) the rough ashlar, unformed and unpolished, in the quarries of Tyre. This stone was hewed and squared by simple implements until it became a perfect ashlar and fitted for its appropriate place in the building.

(To Freemasons), the rough ashlar is a symbol of man’s natural state – ignorant and uncultivated. But when education exerts salutary influences and purifies (the Freemason’s) life, he can then exemplify the perfect ashlar.

(Mackey makes one further point). The perfect ashlar is not only better for the Freemason as an individual, but also makes society as a whole a more beautiful place. Mackey says it like this…

(Freemasonry teaches) - the preparation of these (stones were done) before it was brought (to the temple). (This allowed) that neither hammer or axe, nor any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building.

The perfect ashlar becomes a symbol of human perfection (Meaning - how it was prepared) and (it impacts the entire) species (into a society) of perfection which results from the concord and union of men. (Meaning - how it fits into the building).

Twenty-Four Inch Gauge and Common Gavel:

(With the Twenty-Four inch gauge) the operative mason took the necessary dimensions of the stone and with the (gavel), by repeated blows, skillfully applied, he broke off every unnecessary protuberance, and rendered it smooth and square, and fit to take its place in the building.

To the speculative Mason the sight of (these two tools) teach him to measure, not stones, but time; not to smooth and polish the marble for the builder’s use, but to purify and cleanse his heart from every vice and imperfection that would render it unfit for a place in the spiritual temple of his body.

The twenty-four inch gauge is a symbol of time well employed; the common gavel, the purification of the heart.

Now the stones have been prepared and delivered to the temple, and the massive walls were to be erected. For these purposes implements of higher and more complicated  character were necessary.

The Square, Level and Plumb.

At this stage of the operative work more extensive were to be performed by those with greater skill and knowledge. The tools used were the square, to fit the joints with sufficient accuracy, the level to run the courses in a horizontal line, and the plumb to erect the whole with due regard to perfect perpendicularity.

For the Freemason, the square denotes morality. It teaches us to apply the unerring principles of moral science to every action of our lives, to see that all the motives and results of our conduct shall coincide ,with the dictates of divine justice, and that all our thoughts, words, and deeds shall harmoniously conspire, like the well-adjusted and rightly squared joints of an edifice, to produce a smooth, unbroken life of virtue.

The level is a symbol of equality. Not that equality of civil or social position which is to be found only in the vain dreams of the anarchist or the Utopian, but that great moral and physical equality which affects the whole human race. Just as death, the leveler of all human greatness, is made to visit with equal pace the prince's palace and the peasant’s hut.

The plumb is a symbol of rectitude of conduct and inculcates that integrity of life and undeviating course of moral uprightness which can alone distinguish the good and just man. He is guided by the unerring principles of right and truth inculcated in these symbolic teachings of the same implement, is steadfast in the pursuit of truth, neither bending beneath the frowns of adversity nor yielding to the seductions of prosperity.

The Trowel.

It was then only that the last and finishing labor was performed (by the master mason) and the cement was applied to secure the materials in the appropriate places, and to unite the building in one enduring and connected mass.

(The trowel) as the symbol of brotherly love -that cement whose object is to unite our mystic association into one sacred and harmonious band of brethren.

The idea, therefore, of making the temple a symbol of the body, is not exclusively masonic; but the mode of treating the symbolism by a reference to the particular temple of Solomon, and to the operative art engaged in its construction, is peculiar to Freemasonry. It is this which isolates it from all other similar associations. Having many things in common with the secret societies and religious mysteries of antiquity, in this "temple symbolism" it differs from them all.

Why Trust Macoy Publishing for Masonic History and Masonic Symbolism?

Why Macoy Publishing understands the meaning of Masonic Symbols. Macoy Publishing has been publishing masonic rituals and books on masonic symbols since 1849. If you think about it, Macoy publishing has been the custodian of these symbols since the 19th century. Our founders Robert Macoy, Daniel Simons, and others were one of the first to publish Masonic Monitors, Worshipful Master Assistant (book on masonic leadership), Ahiman Rezon, and other books used not only in lodge but outside to duly prepare brethren to lead the lodge.

Macoy authors like Mackey, Roberts, and Steinmetz walk new and old brothers alike through the meanings of symbols like the Square & Compasses, the letter G, and the all seeing eye. When old masons pass away their libraries are full of Macoy books used by Freemasons to memorize the working tools, rough and perfect ashlar, Boaz and Jachin, and the trowel. And for the brethren looking for a more esoteric meaning of the symbols, Macoy sold books they published and also distributed others,  delving deep into the philosophical meaning behind the blazing star, the point within a Circle, the beehive and many more.

Here is the most important part. You can't get the full extent and benefit from being a Freemason by just reading about it in a book or on the internet. You must go to lodge and be an active member. From Robert Macoy to our present owner, they have all been active members of their lodge. They practice what they preach. They know they are still a rough ashlar but they still practice the precepts of Freemasonry in their daily lives while being surrounded by their brothers in the lodge.

It is more than just an understanding of Freemason Symbols.

Macoy author and respected 20th century Masonic leader, Joseph Fort Newton said his book, "The Builders", "Masonry is Friendship - friendship, first, with the great Companion, of whom our hearts tell us, who is always nearer to us than we are to ourselves, and who inspiration and help is the greatest fact of human experience. To be in harmony with His purposes, to be open to His suggestions, to be conscious of fellowship with Him - this is Masonry on its Godward side. Then, turning manward, friendship sums it all up. To be friends with all men, however they may differ from us in creed, color or condition; to fill every human relation with the spirit of friendship; is there anything more or better than this that the wisest and best of men can hope to do? Such is the spirit of Masonry; such is its ideal, and if to realize it all at once is denied us, surely it means much more to see it, love it and labor make it come true."