Michael's Masonic Esoterica

Every time I chose the simplest element of Freemasonry to take a close

look at I find hidden information I had no idea about. Today I took a look

at the rods we use in the lodge room and found this article on our own

Grand Lodge website:

THE SYMBOLISM OF MASONIC RODS

By Michelle Simone

Masonic rods, born by the stewards and deacons, are a hallmark attribute

in every Masonic lodge. Their presence dates back to at least 1724, when

they are said to have been carried in a grand lodge procession. Today,

the rods continue to be infused with rich Masonic symbolism.

Masonic rods are thin poles that are approximately six feet long.

According to one school of thought, this shape and length represents

the asherah, wooden staffs carried by ancient attendants to the high

priests. The term “asherah” comes from the ancient West Semitic

goddess of the same name, who was said to have birthed the gods of

dusk and dawn.

The herald who guided candidates through their initiation to the

philosophies of the ancient mysteries was also known to carry

an asherah. His was topped with a caduceus of Mercury – a winged staff

wrapped with two opposing snakes. This symbol was said to ward off the

spirits of evil.

According to Grand Lecturer Jack Rose, some scholars attribute the

metal tips of contemporary rods as homage to this ancient symbol.

Another interpretation of this tip shape is that it imitates the thyrsus – a

sacred staff carried by Bacchus, the Roman god of fertility, wine, and

agriculture. The thyrsus was wrapped in leaves of ivy and topped with a

pinecone. The pinecone carries its own rich symbolism – it is considered

to be an ancient symbol of human enlightenment. In this school of

thought, the rod tips represent this pinecone.

SYMBOLISM AND MEANING

The word “deacon” derives from the Greek word for attendant. The junior

and senior deacons’ rods, which are blue, symbolize friendship and

benevolence. The white junior and senior stewards’ rods, represent purity

and innocence.

All rods are tipped with a silver or gold emblem. Until the late 18th

century, the symbols of choice were the caduceus or pinecone. With a

rise in Christian influence and negative views around symbols associated

with paganism, the rod tips began to exemplify Biblical concepts, such as

the crescent, sun, and cornucopia.

Today, when viewed together, these updated rod tips tell a story: The

junior deacon’s rod tip, a “spilling water moon” (crescent moon that

stands on its points) is combined with the sunshine atop the senior

deacon’s rod to yield a fruitful harvest – symbolized in the cornucopias

that adorn both stewards’ rods.

EMBLEMS OF MATERIAL CULTURE

Contemporary Masonic rods play an important role in the material culture

of their lodge and convey great meaning regarding those who carry them.

The deacons stand in the east and west of the lodge, with rods tipped

with the jewels of their office – the rising and setting sun. They are

charged with serving as messengers of the worshipful master and

ensuring all visitors have been properly screened by the tiler. Carrying

their white rods, the stewards prepare and protect each candidate,

assuring his quest towards light and goodness. Their jewels – bountiful

cornucopias – also call to mind their duties to provide refreshment to the

men of the lodge.