The Compasses

Does anyone know of any papers on the internet about the compasses and there different settings. I do know that they are set at 60 degrees but would like to learn more and maybe do a presentation at or next stated meeting.

Not every jurisdiction uses 60°. I know some use 45°

http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/compasses/index.html

The compasses are a tool that can be used to construct a square. One reason they are on the altar is to symbolize that a Mister is being constructed into a Brother who will act on the square. How many legs are above the square I take it to mean how ready a member is to construct others to square status.

To construct a 60 degree angle it takes an infinite number of steps. It's trisecting an angle. To construct a 45 degree angle takes a very small number of steps. In high school geometry constructing a perpendicular and bisecting an angle are early lesson.

That's why I take the 60 degree setting to be symbolic of the divine, and of our goal of ever increasing personal excellence by being a better man this year than we were last year.

dfreybur said:

The compasses are a tool that can be used to construct a square. One reason they are on the altar is to symbolize that a Mister is being constructed into a Brother who will act on the square. How many legs are above the square I take it to mean how ready a member is to construct others to square status.

To construct a 60 degree angle it takes an infinite number of steps. It's trisecting an angle. To construct a 45 degree angle takes a very small number of steps. In high school geometry constructing a perpendicular and bisecting an angle are early lesson.

That's why I take the 60 degree setting to be symbolic of the divine, and of our goal of ever increasing personal excellence by being a better man this year than we were last year.

Click to expand...

The compasses can be used to make far more than a square. And while I have no knowledge of how many steps it takes to construct a 60 degree angle I would like to tell you a story. Upon the recommendation of a friend I read "The Alchemist" by Paul Coehlo. It is a novel about an uneducated farm boy who apprentices himself to a guild of operative stonemasons in the middle ages. In the course of his education they teach him how to do geometry with just a compass and a straightedge. I was following along pretty well until his mentor explained that it was time to draw a dodecahedron, a twelve sided Platonic Solid whose sides are pentagrams. It looks like this:

That sounded impossible, so I grabbed a compass and a straightedge and started following the directions. Before long I had drawn a passable looking dodecahedron. I am not sure if there are any 60 degree angles in there but now know that you can draw some pretty complex objects using only a compass and a straightedge if you have the right instructions.

That's why I love this site. A lot of mainstream info on Masonry and then the more obscure tidbits like this. KEEP TEACHING ME BROTHERS!!!!

Wow I guess I dove into some pretty deep waters. This is interesting though

Wow, first time I've looked at this thread and we have some very informed brothers.

I don't have anything to contribute as of yet but I'll be following this one closely from now on.