Symbolism Of The Veils
The symbolism of the veils
must be considered in two aspects. First in,
reference to the symbolism of the veils as a
whole and next as to the symbolism of each veil
separately.
As a whole the four veils
consisting of four divisions of the tabernacle
present obstacles to the neophyte (beginner) in
his advance to the most holy place where the
Grand Council sits, now he is seeking to advance
to that sacred spot that he may receive his
spiritual illumination and be invested with a
knowledge of the true Divine Name.
But Masonically this divine
name is itself but a symbol of truth, the
object, as has been often said of all Mason’s
search and labour, the passage through the
veils, therefore, a symbol of the trials and
difficulties that are encountered and must be
overcome in the search for and acquisition of
the truth.
This is the general
symbolism; but we lose sight of it in a great
degree, when we come to the interpretation of
the symbolism of each veil independently of the
others, for this principally symbolizes the
various virtues and affections that should
characterize the mason, yet the two symbolisms
are really connected, for the virtues symbolized
are those which should distinguish everyone
engaged in the divine search.
BLUE.
is the symbol of universal friendship and
benevolence, it is the appropriate colour of the
symbolic degrees. The possession of which is the
is the first step in the progress for the search
for truth to the now initiated. The mosaic sign
of the serpent was the symbol among the ancients
of resurrection to life, because the serpent by
casting his skin, is supposed to continually
renew its youth, it is the symbol here of the
loss and recovery of the word.
PURPLE.
is a symbol here of union, and refers to the
intimate connection of ancient craft and Royal
Arch Masonry, hence it is the appropriate colour
of the intermediate degrees, which must be
passed through in the prosecution of the search.
The mosaic sign refer to the restoration of the
leprous hand to health here again, is the
representation of a deceased limb restored to
health, we have a repetition of the allusion to
the loss and recovery of the word. The word
itself being but a symbol of divine truth, the
search for which constitutes the whole Science
of free masons, and the symbolism of which
pervades the whole system from the first to the
last degree.
SCARLET.
is a symbol of fervency and zeal, and is
appropriated to the Royal Arch degree because it
is by these qualities that the neophyte(beginner),
now so far advanced in his progress, must expect
to be successful in his search. The mosaic sign
of changing water into blood bears the same
symbolic reference to a change for the better,
from a lower to a higher state, from the
elemental water in which there is no life to the
blood which is life itself, from darkness to
light. the progress is still onward to the
recovery of that which had been lost but which
is yet to be found
WHITE.
is the symbol of purity and peculiarly
appropriate to remind the neophyte who is almost
at the close of his search, that it is only by
purity of his life that he can expect to be
found worthy of the reception of Divine Truth.
Blessed- says the great teacher “are the pure in
heart for they shall see God.” The mosaic signs
now cease, for they have taught their lesson;
and the aspirant is invested with the ‘Signet of
Truth’ , to assure him that, having endured all
trials and overcome all obstacles, he is, at
length entitled to receive the reward for which
he has been seeking. For the signet of
Zerubbabel is a royal signet, which confers
power and authority on him who possesses it. So
we now see the symbolism of the Veils however
viewed, whether collectively or separately
represents the labourious, but at last
successful, search for divine Truth.
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