[.uk] Symbols of Freemasonry (Beliefs Symbols) (ISBN 2843232015)

The most lavish visual treatment of Masonic symbolism:
While MacNulty's "Freemasonry: A Journey through Ritual and Symbol" may be more comprehensive and more directly related to Masonry as it exists in England and the USA, this lovely book makes a much nicer gift. This is a miniature version of an earlier coffee-table-sized version, which is worth the extra price if you can find it. The essays and very informative and are written from the perspective of French Masonry--a system working under what we in the USA call the Scottish Rite. Thus, many symbols of the Scottish Rite are discussed alongside the blue lodge symbols, with no particular line of division drawn between them. This volume is especially eye-opening to students of esoteric symbolism who have not previously considered Masonic plant and animal symbolism grouped as such. Non-Masons may find this book difficult to read unless they are already experienced in Masonic jargon, but all will find the photography beautiful to look at.

A beautiful depiction of continental craft:
Freemasonry is mankind's oldest existing fraternal brotherhood with a presence weaving its way through millennia of history. Its past members include kings, presidents, chancellors, military leaders, and heads of business. It has been home to writers, philosophers, the world's greatest composers, and men of all shapes, sizes, and colors, both humble and notorious. This work features the symbols and icons that have attracted these people to this ancient order along with the deeper philosophy and ethos they represent. It is important to note two things regarding this work. Firstly this rendition is extremely specific to European craft in general and the masonry of France in particular. As my fellow brothers undoubtedly know there are subtle derivations and departures between the work of France and that of the Grand Lodges of the United States, however regardless of your nationality you will find this book both beautiful and enlightening. Second, if you're looking to learn the "secrets" of Master masons without joining our organization, this book will not reveal them to you. Nothing that is found within is not readily available from other sources. If you want to be one, ask one. Berensiak's Symbols of Freemasonry is a gorgeous book. Its visuals are an eclectic mix of wonderfully photographed symbols and items to beautiful full page renditions of famous works of art. My only complaint is the books physical size; I would have liked to it be a larger "coffee table" size work that could be prominently displayed.

Masonic symbols.:
The illustrations in this book are excellent! Unfortunately,the print is ridiculously small. The author does cover a lot of basic information about Freemasonry; an interesting topic was the concept of time related to the building of various temples. Solomon's temple or the second temple constucted by Zerubbabel. The Masonic year began in March. In the past Hebrew names of months were used. There are a lot of Hebrew connections to Freemasonry. Those connections relate to,among other areas,cabbala and also the Tree of Life. Speculative masonry rejected the legend of the craft which honored the tower of Babel and Nimrod for a preferred link to King Solomon. There is a legend telling of how 3 architects discovered an ancient temple attributed to Enoch and the discovery of "a brilliantly shining triangle". I had not formerly heard of an Enochian temple. The last descendant of Cain was Tubal-Cain-a blacksmith. Biblically speaking,Cain was a builder and built a city. I don't see a Scripture that claims that Cain "founded a dynasty of creators". But that doesn't make it fiction. Hiram the architect was a son of a widow. There is a tie with Horus,also the son of a widow. There was a fascinating chapter about the Two Pillars and possible identifications to different mythological or Biblical figures. The subject of the "forbidden fruit" of Genesis was something new. Could it have been a fig or a pomegranate instead of an apple? The argument that they are more common to the Jerusalem area makes sense. Something to ponder anyway. "Khor" is the Hebrew form of "Horus" the Egyptian god. That looks very much like the "Kore" of the Old Testsament. A list of Masons in history was a trivia bonus. Despite the small print,this book is an educational tool for anyone interesting in taking an outsider's curious look at Freemasonry. The author details different rites of Masonry and where they originated. He really covers a lot of ground despite the small size of the book.

A View of European Freemasonry:
This book does not "give away"the secrets of a Masonic lodge, and maynot be appreciated by the Non-Mason. This is not a dry exposition of the symbols of a lodge room. What it is,is an artfull view of European Freemasonry. For the American Mason it will allow for some clues to the differant emphasis in work between America and abroad. Lovely book to look at!

Great little book to read/view:
A nice compliment to any Freemason history buff. Deals with the different symbols used in Freemasonry, and has some beautiful pictures to go along with the book.