Symbol of the Masonic Lodge – The Acacia and the Immortality of the Human Soul

THE ACACIA

“I will plant in the desert cedar, acacia and myrtle,

and the olive tree; I will put the cypress in the desert, and the

pine and boxwood together:”

41:19

The symbolism of the acacia, or evergreen tree, is well known as a symbol of the Masonic Lodge throughout Freemasonry. It was planted to mark the burial site of a celebrated artist important to Masonic teachings. The undertaker uses an evergreen sprig during each Masonic funeral ceremony. The acacia wood that the children of Israel supposedly used in the construction of the Tabernacle of Moses, as well as in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, is a species of acacia. Being a thorny tamarisk, it also grew around the corpse of Osiris in Egyptian legend and formed the crown of thorns crushed on Christ’s forehead during his Passion. In all these events, the acacia represented immortality, due to its tenacity of life. Without a doubt, the tamarisk was extraordinarily difficult to kill.

The ancients identified the acacia with the more sensitive plant known as the mimosa. A Coptic legend informs us that the mimosa was the first of all trees and shrubs to worship Christ. In fact, some of the early fathers of Christianity used the tree to symbolize Christ. As such, the ancients intended to convey the notion that trees, plants, and shrubs were living, breathing life forms animated with Divine Light.

Trees are often mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the writings of so-called pagans. As examples, we find hidden creation messages with symbols such as the Tree of Life, which represents the spiritual point of balance or balance, and the Tree of Knowledge, which represents polarity in the form of good and evil. Moses heard the voice of God emanating from a burning bush. Buddha received enlightenment from him while he was under the bodhi tree and Hermes’ consecrated rod was but a type of tree.

Philosophers and priests were often called trees. The very name of the druids supposedly means “the men of the oaks”. Initiates into certain Syrian mysteries were called “cedars.” In fact, the famous “cedars of Lebanon” described in the First Degree of Masonry were wise initiates who constituted the true supports of King Solomon’s Temple. If one listens carefully to the lessons in the First Degree, one will hear that the three pillars in the lodge symbolically represent the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, originally regarded as three exceptionally wise and talented men who spiritually directed the Entered Apprentices, Companions . and Teachers, or supervisors of the work.

As opposed to symbolizing specific people, Freemasonry uses the acacia to represent certain principles of spirituality that all people should aspire to achieve. First, it is the emblem of the vernal equinox, or annual resurrection of the sun from the death of winter. Secondly, it signifies purity and innocence, traits also embodied in the legendary character Hiram Abif. Third, it typifies human immortality and the regeneration of life. The evergreen tree represents that immortal part of man that survives the destruction of the physical body and will never, never, never die. Finally, it is the revered emblem of the Mysteries of ancient Egypt, to which Freemasonry owes much of its foundation.

The legend of Hiram Abif is drawn liberally from the Egyptian mystery ritual of the murder and resurrection of Osiris. As such, the acacia twig also represents the resurrection of Hiram to all Masons. In Egyptian legend, the chest containing the body of Osiris, who was brutally murdered by Typhon, was washed ashore and lodged in the roots of a tamarisk or acacia tree. The tamarisk grew into a mighty tree that enclosed within itself the body of the slain god. Some writers have theorized that this legend is the basis on which the story about the acacia twig left in Hiram’s grave was based. Others have also claimed that the current Christmas tree is a continuation of the mystery of the evergreen tree.

Among Freemasons, the essential lesson taught by the acacia concerns the permanence of the human soul. The theme of permanence is grouped in the various theologies and philosophies that arise from the notion of the resurrection. Today, certain religions teach that when a human being finally dies, both his soul and his material body continue in a heavenly environment. Other religions hold that only the soul continues to live. Most accept the claim that souls always were and always will be living organisms. Regardless of the interpretation one selects regarding an afterlife, Freemasonry attaches equally important meaning to this life.

For centuries men have asked the same question: what is the purpose of human life? Hundreds of thousands have joined Freemasonry over the years hoping for an answer, only to learn that the Craft returns them to their churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to seek more knowledge. As a candidate goes through the degrees of Freemasonry, he is informed that true knowledge is never found in one place. A man must search everywhere where there is knowledge to understand his relation to the Great Architect.

During that search, it is as if the inquiring mind sooner or later stumbles upon the teachings of Origen, who lived, wrote, and instructed from A.D. 185. C. and 254 d. C. In a period of Christian history, Origen was considered the most accurate. of all interpreters on the human soul. Although later dismissed by the Church as a heretic, he originally taught that souls are repeated in material incarnation, a teaching now called reincarnation. Origen believed that every human being contained a spark of the Creator that had no beginning or end. In his literary work entitled De Principils, Origen wrote: “Every soul… comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of the previous life. Its place in this world as a vessel appointed to honor or dishonor, is determined by his previous merits or demerits. His work in this world determines his place in the world to follow.”

Neither accepting nor rejecting reincarnation, Freemasonry makes a similar demand of its members as to how each should live the life they have been given. Freemasons are called to live spiritually strong lives; not lives weakened by egocentrism. When Pike wrote that every man had a job to do, he challenged every Mason to not only make the most of the circumstances in which he found himself, but to do it by serving others. Pray for others, feed the hungry, give to the poor, lavish love on your neighbor and provide for the spiritual growth of your family: it is these aspects that Freemasonry instills in the hearts and souls of honest members of the Craft. .

The acacia reminds us that while our lives are not limited by time, our material existence is controlled by time. No man knows how much time he has, but he must know that time is running out. If a good work is to be done during this life, it must be done today, for tomorrow is in God’s hands. While we breathe, we stop, we walk and we talk we can do something that improves the luck of our brothers. When time is no more, that work will be done by those who are left behind and we ourselves will give no more. Although life will always continue beyond man’s earthly existence, man’s love, giving, and sharing with others will cease when he returns to earth and his soul to God, who gave it.