Discalceation

Use in the book

The explanation collects examples of uncovered feet and concludes that the place approached has been consecrated to a holy purpose. Moses provides a scriptural comparison. The bodily action makes approach itself a lesson: the candidate acknowledges the significance of the place before entering it.

Places to read

1. Masonic Symbolism · Block 60“265. "The rite of discalceation, or uncovering the feet on approaching holy ground, is derived from the Latin word discalceare, to pluck off one's shoes. The usage has the prestige of” …
2. Masonic Symbolism · Block 61… “patriarch, 'Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.' Clark thinks it is from this command that the” …
3. Masonic Symbolism · Block 66“271. "The rite of discalceation is, therefore, a symbol of reverence. It signifies, in the language of symbolism, that the spot which is about to be approached in this humble and” …

In this edition

The source’s uncommon noun and its supplied Latin derivation are retained. The ordinary forms shoes and feet are broader lexical evidence.

Reading the argument

The gesture’s shared meaning can support a comparison across traditions. A comparison of reverential acts is not sufficient evidence that every instance descends from one Masonic prototype.

Related texts

Exodus 3:5 joins the command to remove shoes with the declaration that the ground is holy. The comparison supports the gesture’s meaning, rather than a later Masonic genealogy.⁸

discalceation

“discalceation” — 2 occurrences in 2 text blocks: S.60, 66.

discalceare

“discalceare” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: S.60.

shoes

“shoes” — 5 occurrences in 5 text blocks: S.60–61, 63–64, 68.

feet

“feet” — 5 occurrences in 4 text blocks: S.60–61, 68, 72.