The original Great Seal of the Freemasons was based on the seal of the operative guild Masons working in London and Westminster. It differs slightly from that of the London Masons Company, but the differences are noteworthy. In this short post I will give a brief explanation of the seal so that modern Freemasons will have a better understanding of it.The seal is comprised of two beavers on either side of a shield. Atop the shield sits a knights’ helmet with the visor down.*Perched*on top of the helmet is a Lapwing. The coat of arms consists of three silver towers on a sable field divided by a white chevron in which is laid a golden compasses.
In the version pictured to the left is inscribed “Relief and Truth,” but in other versions it reads “Follow Reason.”
The silver towers on the sable field indicate that a valuable treasure is hidden here. That there are three of them indicates the measure of value. The knights’ helmet with the closed visor symbolizes secrecy. The two *beavers represent industry, and are nature’s architects.
The Lapwing is native to England and other areas of Europe and the*Mediterranean. It’s use on the Great Seal probably came about because of certain passages in the Koran (Sura XXVII)*that tell how the Lapwing was the messenger between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. These are the same as would be sacred to Hiram Abiff and the King of Tyre and we are told, the Lapwing knew all Solomon’s secrets and wisdom.
When other birds still shun the area for warmer southern lands, and the hail and sleet wash over the moorlands pushed by the cold northern winds and winter seems to last forever, it is the call of the lapwing that tells us the end is near, and the new shoots and warmth are on their way. The piebald coloring is also important as her very features speak of Darkness into Light to reflect this change.
The poetic meaning of the Lapwing is “disguise the secret” because she hides her nest so successfully. Some say that Solomon invented the language of the birds, and the Lapwing was the first to use it.
“A little bird told me” – this expression refers to an implied secret or private source of knowledge. The origin of the expression is attributed to the Lapwing. All the birds of the air were summoned to King Solomon, but the Lapwing did not appear. Later the Lapwing explained that it had been with the Queen of Sheba and that she had indicated that she intended to visit Solomon. The King began to make preparations for the visit; in the meanwhile the Lapwing flew to the Queen and told her that the King had a great desire to see her. As history records, such a meeting did take place.
Through an understanding of the Great Seal of the Freemasons we begin to gain a clearer insight into the early beginnings of the Grand Lodge period.
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