The Meaning of Masonic Symbols - The Working Tools Series: The Square

Compiled by S. McCall, Primary Source A.S. Macbride Speculative Freemasonry

A.S. Macbride was master of the Lodge of Progress, Glasgow, No. 873 for twenty-one years. In the late 19th century he delivered a series of lectures to the Lodge of Instruction in Scotland. These lectures were published in 1914 in Speculative Masonry and then republished by American publishers including Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply. His explanation of the Square is detailed in Chapter II of Speculative Masonry, where he defines it as the "great dominant law".

Before we delve into Macbride’s insight on the square, please understand it is not the neat and tidy version you memorized for your catechism. Worshipful Macbride connects the physical laws with the moral laws of nature. The benefit of learning this connection helps you understand how bright masons square their work in their daily lives. If they find themselves outside of these natural laws, bad results will follow. However, if they “square your actions by the square of virtue,” nature’s law will support their actions.

The Law of the Square in Nature

Macbride explains that the universe is governed by two opposing great forces: the centrifugal force of the earth's motion (which flies away from the center) and the centripetal force of gravitation (which flows toward the center). These two forces work at a right angle to one another. The diagram shows the earth rotation around the sun. The earth’s velocity (centrifugal force) is moving away from the sun but the sun’s gravitational pull (centripetal force) keeps the earth in its orbit. We have modified Macbride’s original image and placed two squares to demonstrate his point.

Macbride says they meet "on the center and work on the square," resulting in the perfect poise and balance of the material creation. This law ensures orderly progression, from the seasons to the movement of world systems through infinite space, requiring all enduring work to co-operate with this natural "Square".

The Law of the Square in Material Building

In operative building, stability is achieved by balancing material so that the pull of central forces is equal on all sides. A structure must be true to the plumb-line (gravitation) and the level-line (centrifugal force). Macbride identifies the discovery of the right angle as a "chief corner-stone" in human evolution and civilization. The invention of the square tool provided a practical embodiment of this discovery, allowing man to move beyond primitive construction to established supremacy in the material world.

The Law of the Square in Moral Building

Macbride identifies moral counterparts to the physical forces of nature: Individuality (the centrifugal passion for liberty) and Love/Sympathy (the centripetal force which is the heart seeking association with others and the will of the Divine).

• If Individuality predominates, it leads to disobedience and selfishness.
• If Sympathy predominates, it leads to weakness and a loss of conscience.
• Progress and peace occur only when these two forces are squared to a true balance at the "Great Centre of All". In this sense, the "Heaven-line" is our duty to the Divine, and the "Earth-line" is our duty to humanity (the Golden Rule).

Macbride’s Quote on the Square and Conscience

"The instrument called the Square, in operative building, has its counterpart, in moral building, in the faculty called the Conscience. As the Square is applied by the operative to his work, so are we to apply our Conscience to our work of life-building. It is true, theoretically, neither Square nor Conscience is perfect. But they are the best, and the only test we have, and are, in their respective spheres, indispensable to true building. Each represents a great invisible power to which they have been primarily adjusted,—the one to the centre of the material earth, the other to the moral centre of the universe. They are both subject to deterioration and damage, and ought, therefore, to be preserved, with the utmost care, from all strain and violence, so that they may be true and reliable guides".

Commentary: Macbride’s genius lies in showing us that the Square is not just a tool made of metal or wood, but a fundamental principle of the universe. Just as a planet stays in orbit by balancing two opposing pulls, a Mason stays "in orbit" by balancing his drive for personal freedom (Individuality) with his duty to help others (Sympathy). When we act "on the Square," we aren't just following a rule; we are aligning our lives with the very same laws that keep the stars in the sky and buildings standing tall.

The Action: This week, identify one area of your life where you feel a "strain." Is it a conflict at work? A tension at home? Apply the "Law of the Square" by asking yourself: "Am I leaning too far toward my own desires (Centrifugal), or am I being pulled too far by the demands of others (Centripetal)?" Take one specific action to bring that situation back to a "right angle" of balance and fairness.