The wood carving of Past Master of Craft Lodge Masonic Symbol by Coop includes the Compass, Square, Sun, and Quadrant for Worshipful Master; a Freemasonry symbol associated with Fifth Degree of Master Mason. Katrina will wood burn the rays of the Sun and the degree markings on the Quadrant. We also offer customization to create a gift for the outgoing Past Master. Katrina will wood burning on the back of the symbol can include the name of the Master Mason, Lodge Name and Year of Service date. If you have other ideas for customization, please contact us and, if possible, send a drawing of your idea.
Variation:
Customization is available to create a gift for the outgoing Past Master. If you wish customization, please add the "Past Master Custom" option to your cart and add the information on the "Order Confirmation Page" during checkout.
Please allow for extra time in production. The carving will have to be produced specifically for your order as the wood burning must be done before the oiling of the wood.
MEANING: The oldest known (and most common in the United States) Past Master’s Symbol consists of the Compass, Square, Sun and Quadrant.
The Compass is appropriate for the symbol of a Past Master, because it is “By the Compass” that the Freemason keeps himself within due bounds of all man kind.
This symbol includes the Square as a reminder, that it is “By the Square” that the wearer governed his lodge as Master.
The Quadrant shows what angle the Compass is opened at. It also generally shows that the Compass is opened to the angle of 60 degrees, the angle of an equilateral triangle, which represents perfect balance, as all sides are of equal length, and the triangle appears the same from all directions. It therefore teaches that the man who wears this jewel has learned the lessons of Freemasonry, and lives a balanced life. It also shows that the wearer of this jewel has served equally in the South, the West, and the East.
The Sun is used in this symbol to represent that the wearer has observed the sun at:
- Its meridian height in the South,
- Its setting in the West, and
- Its rising in the East.
The Sun also represents light. And, it is understood that the Past Master of a Craft Lodge is a source of Masonic Light to his brothers. It is also appropriate to say that the Sun represents perfect light.
THE CARVING:
Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each carving begins as a 1 X 12 inch cedar board. While we use power tools (Scroll Saw, Rotary shaft Tool, handheld detail sanders etc.), we use no laser’s, CNC machines or computer operated cutting machines. All work is done with our hands and eyes…
We cut the 2 dimensional blanks with scroll and jig saws (double-sized custom orders have to be cut with jigsaw). Carving is done with rotary shaft tools and disc grinders. The 80 grit sanding is the final phase of the carving process, removing the nicks and gouges from the carving tools, and finishes the shaping of the weave. The next 2 sandings with 120 then 220 grit finishes the smoothing and polishing. They are finished with Clear Danish Oil to seal the piece, bringing out the grain and the color.
SIZE: One picture has the piece on a quilting board, lined up on the 1 inch marks. The quilting board, at its simplest, is a one inch grid. So with the piece on the board, you look at the top and follow the line to the left and look at the right side at the widest point and follow the line to the bottom and you have height by width...but wait! It's not that easy! The way this board I have is laid out, if I lined it up on the zero points it would cover up the numbers and on some pieces you wouldn't be able to see them...so, I line it up on the 1 inch marks which means when you get the numbers, you have to subtract 1 inch... TA DA! Measurements may vary slightly from piece to piece.
