Washington’s Monitorial Work includes the following paragraph:
“The covering of a Lodge is no less than the cloudy canopy or starry-decked Heaven, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive by the aid of that theological ladder which Jacob in his vision saw extending from earth to heaven, the three principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope and Charity, and admonish us to have Faith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity for all mankind.”
Jacob’s Dream - Public Domain
Eminent Freemason Walter Leslie Wilmshurst wrote:
“Masonry, then, in exhibiting to them a simple ladder offers them a symbol the significance of which is calculated to open widely the eyes of their imagination. It is true that in the Instruction lecture the ladder is expressly referred to that of Jacob in the familiar biblical episode, and that that ladder is then given a moral significance and made to suggest the way by which man may ascend from earth to heaven by climbing its symbolic rungs, and especially by utilizing its three chief ones representing the virtues Faith, Hope and Charity. This moral interpretation is warranted and salutary. But it is far from exhaustive, and conceals rather than reveals what “Jacob’s ladder” was really intended to convey to the perspicuous when the compilers of our system gave it the prominence they did. We may be assured they had a much deeper purpose than merely reminding us of the Pauline triad of theological virtues.
The ladder, then, covertly emphasizes the old cosmological teaching before referred to. It is a symbol of the universe and of its succession of step-like planes reaching from the heights to the depths.”
MW William Brown, PGM wrote:
“First, the old self must undergo death before the new self can take its place. This figure of regeneration is used not only in Freemasonry, but also in most of the ancient mysteries as well as in religions, ancient and modern. They all teach the virtue of “climbing” or rising in some manner above the conditions and circumstances in which we find ourselves at any given time. In Masonry (which is not, however, a religion) we find the same idea taught by the symbols of a Stairway and a Ladder. The Stairway plays a prominent part in the Fellowcraft Degree, as does the Ladder in the Entered Apprentice Degree.
Second, while there is no suggestion that there is anything phoenix-like in human development, the idea of self-immolation and self-sacrifice is a plain teaching of the Masonic Fraternity. Looking a little closer, we find that the individual is both the sacrifice and the sacrificer simultaneously. There is no suggestion that the process in his case resembles the incident of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac, nor is there the notion of anything like suicide. Indeed, the individual becomes a sort of High Priest who presides over the very act of sacrificing himself, as is implied here. In other words, we find ourselves by making of ourselves a sacrifice for others. And the human being is the only creature who can do this and for whom this can be done.”
And:
“The Winding Stairs in the Fellowcraft Degree lead us a part of the way up to the Light of Truth, but it remains for the ladder “extending from earth to heaven” in the Entered Apprentice Degree to show us the rest of the way. The latter is much more than a theological ladder. In former times the word theological meant not so much “religious” as “philosophical.” Note, too, that the ultimate aim of our climbing is heaven; our ascent is not made on a Tower of Babel. Our objective dare not be a smaller or lower one. This means that every Mason, to be worthy of his calling, must be a perfectionist.”
The ladder is only briefly mentioned in our ritual, although the symbolism continues beyond the Craft Lodge into the York and Scottish Rites.
As I’ve continued in my own Masonic journey though, I have come to see it as one of Freemasonry’s most powerful symbols. While I do not believe that it is in the power of any man to truly understand the nature of God or divinity, given our human limitations, I think that the Ladder provides us with a powerful way of thinking about the divine and our role within heaven and earth.
And the exploration of this symbolism isn’t limited to Freemasonry. Today I read:
“I understand why we think life is linear. It’s because we think time is linear. But it’s not, time is cyclical. The journey through a cycle of our life teaches us valuable life lessons that we take to the next cycle. Each cycle has a beginning, middle and end before it ends to start again. It’s a spiral staircase up the heavens of enlightenment like an ascension or a spiralling downwards to our personal version of hell as portrayed by Dante in Dante’s Inferno.”1
Another meaning is that represent the Sephirotic Tree of Life and the rungs are the spheres thru which one have to ascend in the same manner we ascend the degrees.
In a more deeper meaning the ladder is our vertebrae or us. In this case the rungs are represented by a snake circling while ascending around it. This snake is our life energy that we need to transform but to do it we have, first, to go down the abyss and willfully be sacrificed, like Jesus did and later His disciples.
In Masonry this sacrifice is represented by the traveling to the West because to reach East (Life) we have to pass thru the West (Death) first.
This traveling is represented by the Past or Path Masters (see tarot 9). Who by the use of the astrolabe will guide himself thru the darkness of the dessert until he finds the secret chamber.
There are definitely multiple approaches to the symbolism of Jacob's Ladder- particularly to the metaphysical aspect, like you said. Notably Jacob's named changed when he wrestled and defeated the gods in his dream. As ascending from the bottom of his nature (earth) towards his higher nature (heaven). When a name is changed it seems to indicate correcting ones defects and ultimately his fate.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
I do not know if US Masonry keeps this tradition, but in others jurisdictions when a person reach the third degree a simbolic name is given to him as symbol of the new man that has risen from the darkness. This name will not be mention again and only will be use on third degree work.
Interesting. We are given a name as a substitute- but I hadn't until now thought about it like that. I may have misunderstood it as a password of recognition, to the degree.
From an occultist stand point words create vibrations that manifest certain energies. You as a Master Mason has ascended and your vibrational state has change, therefore using your "old" name has no reason.
Some traditions say that it was him who taught Masonry to the egyptians. Of course it was not called Masonry at that time and it does not have anything to do with stone building.
I see all ladder symbolism as referencing development, whether cognitive, emotional, spiritual or ethical. The image of a ladder leading from the ground to heaven is I think a symbol of the growth of a Masons into higher dimensions of enlightenment. In Freemasonry there are references to points, lines, areas and volumes. Each of these geometric elements exist in an increasing higher dimension. Point (0), line (1), area (2) volume (3). Likewise; the works of psychologists Piaget (cognitive), Kohlberg (moral and ethical), Gilligan (moral and ethical), and Wilbur (integral, Cognitive. Moral. Spiritual, etc) demonstrate that humans develop along predicted repeatable patterns of development that could be defined as adding dimensions. For example, a young child’s mind is mostly based in stimulus response (point), then the child develops a bond with their parents (line), then its family (area) and then the larger community (volume). As masons we are compelled by our teachings to develop along similar lines, starting at higher levels.
My Lodge lost a luminary brother a little over a year ago. I am working on a memorial for him that I hope will be kept in the Lodge library. In designing the memorial, I got access to presentations this brother gave in Lodge. As I analyzed his work, looking for patterns that could be applied to the memorial I discovered a wonderful example of Masonic development, a record of this brother ‘climbing the ladder’ and adding dimensions to himself. His earliest presentations were brief discussions of impactful historical Masons (point). Then he started giving talks on the history of masonry (line), and his final work was on Masonic esoterica and spirituality (area). How may he have developed had he lived longer?
Another use of the ladder is used in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In this system a person must fulfill a base need before they can ascend to a higher need. As that person ascends the ladder, they have the opportunity to develop more altruistic needs. Before a person can be charitable, they must have their physical needs met, as an example. In our degrees we see a brother brought from a very mundane level and given the tools to meet the needs of a person who seeks enlightenment. First their need for membership in a community of men who seek to better themselves (1st degree), then the need for knowledge necessary to accomplish that development (2nd degree), and finally that need for cosmic and eternal knowledge (3rd). The degrees also demonstrate the addition of dimensionality discussed earlier.
As much as a square and compass, the ladder is a symbol of the true work of a Mason. The desire to grow in complexity and sophistication, cognitively, ethically and spiritually is what sets Masons apart from other fraternities.
This is another timely and relevant piece. The ladder has bee a symbol backwards and forwards in my Masonic life. Backwards, as my Brother Great Grandfather, Grandfather and I connect over time through Masonry (I never met my Great Grandfather and never communicated Masonically <spl> with my Grandfather) but this is how I have seen my relationship with them). I did know my father as a Mason before his recent passing. Go forwards, I see the ladder as my communication to generations I now know and may never meet, but will pass forward tangible and intangible communications. Thank you.
I've come to believe that we are eternal prior to our time on earth, in just the same way as we are eternal following it. We are all a part of the Divine. But, at some point, we decide that it would be cool to have an experience here on earth, so we separate ourselves from the Divine and descend the ladder, resulting in our mortal birth here on earth.
That accounts for the spark of Divinity that I believe resides within all of us.
Sooner or later we pass, we ascend the ladder we previously descended to rejoin the Divine.
That's how I've come to see it anyway. For what it is worth.
It is interesting to hear what the ladder means to different Brethren, and how it has been a symbol of different things to them. It is good to share these thoughts.
But if we are looking at the ladder as a Masonic symbol (such as that on the first degree tracing board) it is important to disregard what the ladder means to your modern mind, and search for what the ladder meant to the person who was using the symbol. This means disregarding our modern thoughts, and turning our focus back to the symbol's heritage as perceived by the person who designed the tracing board.
When we turn our gaze back to the sources from which Masonry draws is spiritual roots, one of the first stops is Judaic mysticism. Here the symbol of the ladder is well known. Discussions include it connecting the seven worlds of the soul. They also include angelic beings that can ascend and descend the ladder between the worlds. These are shown on some of our tracing boards. Also this includes the discussion of the Merkhaba, a celestial vehicle by which one can move between the planes. Some have seen this as physical, as in Ezekial's vision of the chariot. Others interpret it more as a developed spiritual body, sometimes envisioned in the shape of a three dimensional Star of David..
Looking back a little further to Egypt we find the 'Djed' which parallels this concept of moving between the worlds. The Djed stimulated Osiris to return from the Dead. It is referred to in the Pyramid Texts as the 'Divine Ladder'. It is called the 'ascender', and is the path by which Osiris rises from Earth to heaven. Djed means 'stability or everlastingness' and a pair of djed pillars were erected in front of Osiris temple at Abydos.
If we go back a bit further we find this gateway to heaven as a frequent motif on cylinder seals from Babylon and throughout the Near East. Here it is depicted as a winged ladder, and represents the connection between the Earth and the Heavens, and the way by which the Gods descend. If I knew how to include pictures here I would include some scans.
To summarize, the ladder stretches from earth to Heaven, and symbolizes the method by which Gods, angels, and some adepts can move between the worlds.
Thank you Brother. I too have enjoyed reading all of these different perspectives, and really appreciate your historical information here.
>>>If I knew how to include pictures here I would include some scans.
I don't think that the software makes that possible, but if you send them to me, I can include them in the Chat portion of Emeth. You can do so by just hitting reply to any of the Emeth emails.
First time I have commented on a blog in ages. Thank you for making this format available. I liked your article (above).
BTW, I forgot to add my disclaimer / byline to my somewhat pompous comment, so I attach it here: "Just because I am opinionated doesn't mean I am right. "
Another meaning is that represent the Sephirotic Tree of Life and the rungs are the spheres thru which one have to ascend in the same manner we ascend the degrees.
In a more deeper meaning the ladder is our vertebrae or us. In this case the rungs are represented by a snake circling while ascending around it. This snake is our life energy that we need to transform but to do it we have, first, to go down the abyss and willfully be sacrificed, like Jesus did and later His disciples.
In Masonry this sacrifice is represented by the traveling to the West because to reach East (Life) we have to pass thru the West (Death) first.
This traveling is represented by the Past or Path Masters (see tarot 9). Who by the use of the astrolabe will guide himself thru the darkness of the dessert until he finds the secret chamber.
There are definitely multiple approaches to the symbolism of Jacob's Ladder- particularly to the metaphysical aspect, like you said. Notably Jacob's named changed when he wrestled and defeated the gods in his dream. As ascending from the bottom of his nature (earth) towards his higher nature (heaven). When a name is changed it seems to indicate correcting ones defects and ultimately his fate.
Revelations 2:17
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
I do not know if US Masonry keeps this tradition, but in others jurisdictions when a person reach the third degree a simbolic name is given to him as symbol of the new man that has risen from the darkness. This name will not be mention again and only will be use on third degree work.
Interesting. We are given a name as a substitute- but I hadn't until now thought about it like that. I may have misunderstood it as a password of recognition, to the degree.
From an occultist stand point words create vibrations that manifest certain energies. You as a Master Mason has ascended and your vibrational state has change, therefore using your "old" name has no reason.
The mystery of the lost word.
Is not symbolic amymore.
We should consider bringing Hermes Trimagestus into this...
Some traditions say that it was him who taught Masonry to the egyptians. Of course it was not called Masonry at that time and it does not have anything to do with stone building.
I see all ladder symbolism as referencing development, whether cognitive, emotional, spiritual or ethical. The image of a ladder leading from the ground to heaven is I think a symbol of the growth of a Masons into higher dimensions of enlightenment. In Freemasonry there are references to points, lines, areas and volumes. Each of these geometric elements exist in an increasing higher dimension. Point (0), line (1), area (2) volume (3). Likewise; the works of psychologists Piaget (cognitive), Kohlberg (moral and ethical), Gilligan (moral and ethical), and Wilbur (integral, Cognitive. Moral. Spiritual, etc) demonstrate that humans develop along predicted repeatable patterns of development that could be defined as adding dimensions. For example, a young child’s mind is mostly based in stimulus response (point), then the child develops a bond with their parents (line), then its family (area) and then the larger community (volume). As masons we are compelled by our teachings to develop along similar lines, starting at higher levels.
My Lodge lost a luminary brother a little over a year ago. I am working on a memorial for him that I hope will be kept in the Lodge library. In designing the memorial, I got access to presentations this brother gave in Lodge. As I analyzed his work, looking for patterns that could be applied to the memorial I discovered a wonderful example of Masonic development, a record of this brother ‘climbing the ladder’ and adding dimensions to himself. His earliest presentations were brief discussions of impactful historical Masons (point). Then he started giving talks on the history of masonry (line), and his final work was on Masonic esoterica and spirituality (area). How may he have developed had he lived longer?
Another use of the ladder is used in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In this system a person must fulfill a base need before they can ascend to a higher need. As that person ascends the ladder, they have the opportunity to develop more altruistic needs. Before a person can be charitable, they must have their physical needs met, as an example. In our degrees we see a brother brought from a very mundane level and given the tools to meet the needs of a person who seeks enlightenment. First their need for membership in a community of men who seek to better themselves (1st degree), then the need for knowledge necessary to accomplish that development (2nd degree), and finally that need for cosmic and eternal knowledge (3rd). The degrees also demonstrate the addition of dimensionality discussed earlier.
As much as a square and compass, the ladder is a symbol of the true work of a Mason. The desire to grow in complexity and sophistication, cognitively, ethically and spiritually is what sets Masons apart from other fraternities.
This is another timely and relevant piece. The ladder has bee a symbol backwards and forwards in my Masonic life. Backwards, as my Brother Great Grandfather, Grandfather and I connect over time through Masonry (I never met my Great Grandfather and never communicated Masonically <spl> with my Grandfather) but this is how I have seen my relationship with them). I did know my father as a Mason before his recent passing. Go forwards, I see the ladder as my communication to generations I now know and may never meet, but will pass forward tangible and intangible communications. Thank you.
I've come to believe that we are eternal prior to our time on earth, in just the same way as we are eternal following it. We are all a part of the Divine. But, at some point, we decide that it would be cool to have an experience here on earth, so we separate ourselves from the Divine and descend the ladder, resulting in our mortal birth here on earth.
That accounts for the spark of Divinity that I believe resides within all of us.
Sooner or later we pass, we ascend the ladder we previously descended to rejoin the Divine.
That's how I've come to see it anyway. For what it is worth.
It is interesting to hear what the ladder means to different Brethren, and how it has been a symbol of different things to them. It is good to share these thoughts.
But if we are looking at the ladder as a Masonic symbol (such as that on the first degree tracing board) it is important to disregard what the ladder means to your modern mind, and search for what the ladder meant to the person who was using the symbol. This means disregarding our modern thoughts, and turning our focus back to the symbol's heritage as perceived by the person who designed the tracing board.
When we turn our gaze back to the sources from which Masonry draws is spiritual roots, one of the first stops is Judaic mysticism. Here the symbol of the ladder is well known. Discussions include it connecting the seven worlds of the soul. They also include angelic beings that can ascend and descend the ladder between the worlds. These are shown on some of our tracing boards. Also this includes the discussion of the Merkhaba, a celestial vehicle by which one can move between the planes. Some have seen this as physical, as in Ezekial's vision of the chariot. Others interpret it more as a developed spiritual body, sometimes envisioned in the shape of a three dimensional Star of David..
Looking back a little further to Egypt we find the 'Djed' which parallels this concept of moving between the worlds. The Djed stimulated Osiris to return from the Dead. It is referred to in the Pyramid Texts as the 'Divine Ladder'. It is called the 'ascender', and is the path by which Osiris rises from Earth to heaven. Djed means 'stability or everlastingness' and a pair of djed pillars were erected in front of Osiris temple at Abydos.
If we go back a bit further we find this gateway to heaven as a frequent motif on cylinder seals from Babylon and throughout the Near East. Here it is depicted as a winged ladder, and represents the connection between the Earth and the Heavens, and the way by which the Gods descend. If I knew how to include pictures here I would include some scans.
To summarize, the ladder stretches from earth to Heaven, and symbolizes the method by which Gods, angels, and some adepts can move between the worlds.
Thank you Brother. I too have enjoyed reading all of these different perspectives, and really appreciate your historical information here.
>>>If I knew how to include pictures here I would include some scans.
I don't think that the software makes that possible, but if you send them to me, I can include them in the Chat portion of Emeth. You can do so by just hitting reply to any of the Emeth emails.
First time I have commented on a blog in ages. Thank you for making this format available. I liked your article (above).
BTW, I forgot to add my disclaimer / byline to my somewhat pompous comment, so I attach it here: "Just because I am opinionated doesn't mean I am right. "
I encourage people to do their own research!