We learn of the network in the second degree. From this we are taught
that from the connection of its meshes, network denotes unity. However,
unity is not the only symbolism associated with nets. In Gospel nets can
symbolize divine instrumentality, as after the Last Judgment, when a net
moves to gather the good, but leaves the bad (see Matthew 13). The sky is
sometimes compared to a net, stars being knots, and hence, one cannot
escape from this universe and from the laws which govern it. This thought
is mentioned also in the Tao Te Ching as “the net of heaven is wide-meshed (because stars are
far apart) but lets nothing through”. In India, a spider’s net-like web is a symbol for cosmic order, and for
the radiance of the divine spirit. This strengthens the belief that God
bound us with his power, and it is beyond our capacity to withdraw or
leave from it. In Christian art, the net is sometimes depicted to
represent the Church, for the net symbolizes the power of God to hold
humans together who are helplessly lost in the mesh of life. In many
European lodges, the two pillars (J & B) are covered with actual nets
to illustrate this idea. St. Andrew, patron saint of fisherman, is often
depicted holding a net.
