The coffin as an emblem of mortality

GRAPHICS

SYMBOLISM

INDEX OF PAPERS

TRACING BOARDS

The coffin is an obvious image to identify with the emblems of mortality. But its depiction is open to much interpretation. Almost uniformly shown with a sprig of acacia, the coffin will also be marked with either a pentagram or a five-pointed star. Rarely is it seen with a cross. Whether the variations are the results of esoteric interpretation or the limitations of the engraver’s art is an unanswered question.

The True Masonic Chart; or, Hieroglyphic Monitor; containing all the emblems explained in the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch, Royal Master, and Select Master : designed and arranged agreeably to the lectures, by R. W. Jeremy L. Cross, G.L. to which are added Illustrations...Charges...Songs...&c., second edition. New Haven : John C. Gray, Printer., 1820. 196 p. hc. 11 cm. x 16 cm. p. 24. Download GIF file

Richardson’s Monitor of Free-masonry being a practical guide to the ceremonies in all the degrees conferred in masonic lodges, chapters, encampments, &c. explaining the signs, tokens and grips, and giving all the words, pass-words, sacred words, oaths, and hieroglyphics used by masons. The ineffable and historical degrees are also given in full. New York : Lawrence Fitzgerald, No. 18 Ann Street, 1860. 192 p. 11 cm. x 17.5 cm. titlepage and p. 134. Download GIF file

The True Masonic Chart; or, Hieroglyphic Monitor: containing all the emblems explained in the degrees of entered apprentice, fellow-craft, and master mason, designed and arranged agreeably to the lectures, by R. W. Jeremy L. Cross, grand lecturer. With a Memoir and Portrait of the Author. Edited by Daniel Sickels, 33°. Cross, Jeremy L. New York : Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Co., 1866. 288 p. 12.5 cm. x 18.5 cm.. pp. 138, 123. Also reproduced in A Manual of the Lodge; or, Monitorial Instructions, Albert G. Mackey. New York : Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., 1862, 1870. p. 114. Download GIF file

The True Masonic Chart; or, Hieroglyphic Monitor: containing all the emblems explained in the degrees of entered apprentice, fellow-craft, and master mason, designed and arranged agreeably to the lectures, by R. W. Jeremy L. Cross, G.L. to which are added Illustrations, Charges, Songs, &c., with additions and amendations; also, a history of freemasonry, by a brother. twelfth and stereotype edition. 354 p. 13 cm. x 19 cm. p. 26. Download GIF file

A Manual of the Lodge; or Monitorial Instructions in the degrees of entered apprentice, fellow craft, and master mason, arranged in accordance with the american system of lectures: to which are added the ceremonies of the order of past master, relating to installations, dedications, consecrations, laying of corner-stones, etc.... a new edition, revised and enlarged by the author. New York : Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., 1870. 254 p. 13 cm. x 19 cm. plate 20. Download GIF file

Craft Masonry; or, part first. Manual of the Ancient York Rite. by Will. M. Cunningham. New York : D. B. Howell & Co., No. 434 Broadway, 1874. 164 p. list 6p. 12 cm x 29 cm. p. 82. Download GIF file

The Freemason’s Manual containing the First, Second and Third Degrees of Freemasonry : embellished with symbolical illustrations, together with installation, consecration, and dedication ceremonies, etc., also, Rules and Regulations for masonic trials, forms for minutes, by-laws, &c. compiled by Thomas Sargant, 32° adopted for the Dominion of Canada. Toronto : Masonic Publishing Co. 1880. 253 p. p. 136. Download GIF file

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