In the Middle Ages, the oldest and most widely known fraternity started as an association of “operative masons” or cathedral builders traveled in entire Europe employing great skills of their craft. The Fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons came to grow in number when they began to accept members who were not actual members of the mason’s craft. There are about five million Freemasons in the world, and around three million are residing in the United States. In Freemasonry, the ultimate purpose is to better men out of good men”, better sons, better husbands, better fathers, and better brothers.
Freemasonry aims to build a better world through better men, so it emphasizes in strengthening a man’s character, improving his spiritual outlook and moral, and broadening his mental horizons. Those who are aiming to become members of Freemasonry must be at least 18 years old or older and should be able to meet the strict standards and qualification. Freemasonry is not a secret organization because membership is not concealed and it is not a religion as contrary to the popular belief. Every Freemasonry applicant should be able to express his faith and belief that a Supreme Being exists and the members’ secrets are limited in methods of personal recognition. Each Masonic degree blends Masonic moral philosophy including the First Degree or Entered Apprentice, the Second Degree or the Fellow Craft, and the Third Degree is called the Master Mason.
The Masonic gavel is considered an emblem of authority used by the Master of the Lodge in order to show his executive power over the assemblage through punctuating its actions. The Masonic Gavel is a representation of the consciousness and heart of all the vices and excesses of life to better prepare ourselves as we are likened to living stones, open to be shaped into morally upright and spiritual being that is pleasing to our Creator. The True Masonic Gravel has a rectangular head, flat on one end, and can be slightly pinched or come to a point on the other end. Masonic Gavels come in different materials such as mahogany, cherry, walnut, maple, hickory, oak, acacia, ash, or teak, and there are numerous vendors selling wooden and Masonic Gavels.
A Masonic apron is worn by Operative Masons in order to protect themselves from rough stones and tools which is a badge of fraternal distinction. Each mason is given a plain white leather apron on his first year, representing the white lambskin or a symbol of innocence. A Mason must keep his white apron all through his life and let his family know about it, so on his passing, he will wear it in death as an eternal symbol of hope. Feel free to check our website or homepage and learn more about Masonry items.