The Ashlar
by Harold Meij
We know that the ashlar is important in Freemasonry
because we know it to be one of the moveable objects referred to in the
1st degree lecture, but what significance does it have? What
does the ashlar symbolize? The rough and perfect ashlar, are two of the
most significant symbols in Freemasonry, yet is only barely mentioned in
the rituals. What does the ashlar signify, and why is it so key to
Masonry?
The dictionary defines an ashlar as nothing more than “a
hewn or squared stone.” At first this seems to show the historical
connection between Freemasonry and operative Masons, however, in our EA
ritual it we are taught that “by the rough ashlar we are reminded of our
rude and imperfect state by nature, by the perfect ashlar, of that state
of perfection at which we hope to arrive.......”.
However, we cannot say that the rough ashlar (both
literally as a stone, or symbolically as man) is imperfect, for both were
created by the Grand Artificer of the Universe, that created nothing
imperfect. The ashlar, therefore, can be seen as symbolizing our mind,
which becomes more “perfect” the more effort we exert individually. The
chisel and other tools therefore can be seen as representing education,
past experiences of others, lessons and the like.
An EA is said to represent the rough ashlar, who, by
expanding his mind (remember the symbolism of the compass) becomes a
perfect ashlar, or a MM, ready take his place “in the house of God”. In
some Lodges, a newly initiated EA is asked to symbolically chip away a
piece of the rough ashlar, to signify that his learning, and expansion of
the mind, has begun.
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