The Use Of Swords In Freemasonry

Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author Paper 26/2009 Title The Use of Swords in Freemasonry Author Bro Leon Zeldis – Israel Swords have been traditionally connected with chivalry and honour. In old times, only gentlemen were allowed to carry swords, and breaking a traitor's sword was the ultimate symbol of his disgrace. This ceremony was maintained in some military organizations. Swords, like ships and buildings, though inanimate are regarded as having a "soul", a personality of their own. For that reason, many swords have individual names. This is made evident in myths and legends. In the Arthurian cycle, many swords are mentioned by name. The most famous, of course, is Excalibur, but there are many others. Here are some of them: Courechouse, sword of Ban, who was king of Gomeret, supporter of Arthur. Curetana, sword of Holger, was the sword Tristan received from Charlemagne. Honoree, sword unsheathed by Biaudous, son of Gawain. By this feat he was able to marry Biautei, daughter of the King of the Isles. Marmyadose, a sword won by Arthur from Rience. It had been wrought by Vulcan and once belonged to Hercules. Sword of Strange Hangings, had once belonged to King David of Israel.
Sword of Strange Renges, which wounded the Maimed King Pellehan.
Sword of Wrnach, which had to be obtained by Cullwch. In other national traditions, as well, we find swords with personality. The Spanish hero El Cid, owned the sword Tizona.
In Masonic rituals, the Outer Guard holds a sword, and the Inner Guard, two. These are represented in their respective jewels. Swords are also part of the regalia in some higher degrees of the York Rite and are also used in other masonic Rites.. The Outer Guard of the AAR lodge has a special kind of sword, with an undulating blade, called the Flaming Sw ord. This refers to the flaming swords wielded by the cherubim that guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). The Flaming Sword is also used by the Master of the Lodge in some rituals, and this is depicted in some 19 th century engravings. The sword is an emblem of justice, of freedom and strength, and it has the purifying powers of the steel born in fire and molded by the blows of the hammer. It is most appropriate, then, to have the entrance to the lodge guarded by a swordsman, to keep out those unfit to join an assembly of free and honourable men.
The hilt of the sword is a reminder of the cross. The shape of the hilt can also be taken as the conjunction of vertical and horizontal, spiritual forces and the material world. The cross is also the conjunction of four right angles, relating them to the four elements of the world in ancient philosophy. Steel is made of iron extracted from the earth, heated with fire and hammered at the forge (air) and then tempered with water. Earth, fire, air and water work together to produce the sword.