or pentangle of Solomon. This, however, is not the case. The latter is a symbol of Deity. In Christian churches the double triangle is used as a symbol of the twofold nature of Christ. TRIANGLE, EQUILATERAL. This, as the most perfect of figures, was adopted by all the ancient nations as a symbol of the Deity. It still retains that allusion as an emblem of Freemasonry. Among the Hebrews, a jod in the centre of an equilateral triangle, was one of the emblems of Jehovah. In the system of Pythagoras, the obligation was administered to the candidate on the Tetractys, which was expressed by ten jods arrayed in the form of a triangle, which, with them, was the symbol of Deity, as embracing in himself the three stages of time, past, present, and future; he was, he is, and he shall be. Among the Hebrews, a jod in the centre of a triangle was one of the modes of expressing the incommunicable name of Jehovah, and was supposed, by some authors, to refer to the triune God. This allusion to Deity it still preserves in the masonic ritual. TRIANGLE, TRIPLE. This is another of the numerous forms in which the triangle is arranged, and like all the others, it is used as a symbol of Deity, though perhaps it is here made to assume a still more sacred character from its triple form. As such, it has been adopted as the most appropriate jewel of the Illustrious. Prelate in an Encampment of Knights Templar. TRIPLE TAU. The Tau Cross, or Cross of St. Anthony, is a cross in the form of a Greek T. The triple tau is a figure formed by three of these crosses meeting in a point, and therefore resembling a letter T resting on the traverse beam of an H. This emblem is not adopted in American Freemasonry, but placed in the centre of a triangle and circle-both emblems of the Deity; it constitutes the jewel of the Royal Arch as practised in England, where it is so highly esteemed as to be called the "emblem of all emblems," and "the grand emblem of Royal Arch Masonry." The original signification of this emblem has been variously explained. Some suppose it to include the initials of the Temple of Jerusalem, T. H., Templum Hierosolyma; others, that is a symbol of the mystical union of the Father and Son, H signifying Jehovah, and T, or the cross, the Son. A writer in Moore's Magazine ingeniously supposes it to be a representation of three T squares, and that it alludes to the three jewels of the three ancient Grand Masters. It has also been said that it is the monogram of Hiram of Tyre, and others assert that it is only a modification of the Hebrew letter shin, &, which was one of the Jewish abbreviations of the sacred name. Oliver thinks, from its connection with the circle and triangle in the Royal Arch jewel, that it was intended to typify the sacred name as the author of eternal life. The English Royal Arch lectures say that "by its intersection it forms a given number of angles that may be taken in five several combinations; and, reduced, their amount in right angles will be found equal to the five Platonic bodies which represent the four elements and the sphere of the Universe." Amid so many speculations, I need not hesitate to offer one of my own. I have already stated under the article Tau Cross, that the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of the tau or tau cross as the mark distinguishing those who were to be saved, on account of their sorrow for their sins, from those who, as idolaters, were to be slain. It was a mark or sign of favourable distinction, and with this allusion we may, therefore, suppose the triple tau to be used in the Royal Arch degree as a mark designating and separating those who know and worship the true name of God, from those who are ignorant of that august mystery. TROWEL. An implement of operative masonry, which has been adapted by speculative Masons as the peculiar working tool of the Master's degree. By this implement, and its use in operative masonry to spread the cement which binds all the parts of the building into one common mass, we are taught to spread the cement of affection and kindness, which unites all the members of the masonic family, wheresoever dispersed over the globe, into one companionship of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. This implement is also very appropriately devoted to the Master's degree, because, as Master Masons only, do we constitute the recognised members of the great brotherhood of masonry. The Entered Apprentice and Fellow-Craft are not considered as members of the masonic family. Again is this implement considered the appropriate working tool of a Master Mason, because, in operative masonry, while the Apprentice is engaged in preparing the rude materials, which require only the guage and gavel to give them their proper shape, the Fellow-Craft places them in their proper position by means of the plumb, level, and square; but the Master Mason alone, having examined their correctness, and proved them true and trusty, secures them permanently in their place by spreading, with the trowel, the cement that irrevocably binds them together. The trowel has also been adopted as the jewel of the Select Master. But its uses in this degree are not symbolical. They are simply connected with the historical legend of the degree. In the degree of Knights of building of the second temple, TROWEL AND SWORD. the East we are told that at the Zerubbabel ordered the workmen to carry a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other, so that while they worked with one hand they might be enabled to defend themselves with the other from the attacks of their envious neighbors, the Samaritans. To commemorate the valour of these worthy craftsmen, the sword and trowel en saltire have been place upon the English Royal Arch Tracing-board. In the American ritual this expressive symbol of valour and piety has been omitted. TROWEL, COMPANY OF THE. A society composed of learned and eminent persons, instituted at Florence in 1512. Its emblems were the trowel, the gavel and the square, and its patron was St. Andrew. Clavel thinks the institution was derived from the society of Travelling Freemasons, and was organized by persons of quality, who had been admitted as honorary members of that operative association. TRUE MASONS, ORDER OF THE. A branch of the Hermetic rite of Pernetti, under the name of the order of True Masons, was established at Montpelier, in 1778, by Boileau, who subsequently introduced the Philosophic Scotch rite. It consisted of six degrees. 1, the True Mason; 2, the True Mason in the right way; 3, Knight of the Golden Key; 4, Knight of the Rainbow; 5, Knight of the Argonauts; 6, Knight of Golden Fleece. TRUTH. Truth is one of the three principal tenets of our order, Brotherly Love and Relief being the other two. To be "true and trusty" is one of the first lessons in which the aspirant is instructed. All other things are mortal and transitory, but truth alone is immutable and eternal; it is the attribute of Him in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of changing. TUBAL CAIN. The son of Lamech; the first who wrought in iron and brass. He was the inventor of edge-tools, and introduced many arts into society which tended towards its improvement and civilization. Tubal Cain is the Vulcan of the pagans, and is thought to have been closely connected with Ancient Freemasonry. Faber says that "all the most remarkable ancient buildings of Greece, Egypt and Asia Minor, were ascribed to Cabirean or Cyclopean Masons," the descendants of Vulcan, Dhu Balcan, the god Balcan, or Tubal Cain. Oliver says "in after times Tubal Cain, under the name of Vulcan and his Cyclops, figured as workers in metals and inventors of the mysteries; and hence it is probable that he was the hierophant of a similar institution in his day, copied from the previous system of Seth, and applied to the improvement of schemes more adapted to the physical pursuits of the race to which he belonged."* For these reasons Tubal Cain has been consecrated, among masons of the present day, as an ancient brother. His introduction of the arts of civilization having given the first value to property, Tubal Cain has been considered among masons as a symbol of worldly possessions. TUSCAN ORDER. One of the five orders of architecture, and of comparatively modern date, having been invented by the Italians. It so much resembles the Doric, that it has been considered by most writers as merely a variety of that order. Its want of antiquity causes it to be held in but little esteem among Freemasons. TWELVE ILLUSTRIOUS KNIGHTS. See Sublime Knight Elected. TWELVE GRAND POINTS OF MASONRY. The old English lectures contain the following passage: "There are in Freemasonry twelve original points, which form the basis of the system, and comprehend the whole ceremony of initiation. Without the existence of these points, no man ever was or can be legally and essentially received into the order. Every person who is made a mason must go through all these twelve forms and cere monies, not only in the first degree, but in every subsequent one." * Oliver, Landmarks, ii. p. 213. |