secret society of Freemasons, "Freemasonry", appeared in the mid-17th century, together with the "Knights of the Rosy Cross" or Rosicrucians.Two of these companies are often confused, although there were clear differences: Masons less engaged in magic and mysticism were used mainly for moral self-development, while the Rosicrucians preferred magical rituals, and morality almost no reason.Both of these societies would lead mankind to perfection, to the Golden Age, to the realm of goodness and justice.Probably so, and the other was full of all sorts in the ranks of the revolutionaries, from the French Revolution to the Revolution of 1917 in Russia.
roots of European Freemasons go back to the farm of Muslim mystics builders from Damascus, which in the early Middle Ages traveled the world, erecting castles and doing magic.Knowing the magical properties of different materials and secrets of magic effects of objects and ornaments, wandering builders could give buildings and bridges different mystical properties and makes them especially robust.Secrets of the Order and its symbolism is partially shifted to the European guilds of builders, and then - to the Masons.
In medieval guilds was an atmosphere of magic and mystery.Masters passed apprentices not only common knowledge and skills, but also a conspiracy to help the work and the secrets of initiation rituals, but after going to a new member can join the guild.That they Masons borrowed most of its terms and signs.
Already in the early 18th century mugs Masons were called "lodges", the head of each of them was a "Grand Master", and the head of the entire network - Grand Master.It was developed secret signs and gestures, which everyone could learn a fellow Freemason, his level of dedication and a bed it belongs.Freemasons are increasingly becoming not only mystics, but also a political organization, eludes ordinary laws.Their ideas have repeatedly condemned the Vatican, the secular authorities from time to time began to chase them.But the Masons are increasingly becoming the representatives of the aristocracy, politicians and financiers, it was impossible to stop the Masons.
In the 18-19 centuries the influence of Masons on American life was huge, almost all the leaders of the country consisted in the Masonic lodges.No wonder the most famous symbol of the movement is one of the drawings on the banknote in 1 American dollar - a triangle, inside of which is represented by the open eye.Masons call this character "radiant delta".The very image of the eye in the triangle borrowed from Christianity, where the sign is a symbol of "All-Seeing Eye" and found the icons and religious buildings.Even before the Christian symbol of a slightly different "All-Seeing Eye" was popular with the ancient Egyptians and called the "Eye of Horus".
In the mid-18th century served under Tsar Peter the first Europeans reached the Masonic circle.Peter himself maintained relations with the Masons of different countries.At the end of the 18th century opened two boxes, St. Petersburg and Moscow, whose members are engaged in publishing translations of mystical literature and magical texts into Russian.
In 1822, Tsar Alexander I banned Freemasonry in Russia, but the "lodge" continued to operate underground.After the revolution the Russian Masonic lodges have survived only in exile.
Today Masonic lodges exist in the world, however, they have ceased to be truly secret.Rather, it is uniting people who like the atmosphere of secrecy and beautiful rituals.
Photo source : historic.ru
