From the book
Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry
R. Swinburne Clymer · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe point within a circle is interpreted through the sun and world, sacred generation, and the limits represented by accompanying lines.
- In Ancient Mystic Oriental MasonryThe discussion first presents the monitorial arrangement with the two Johns, then argues for an astronomical and generative reading.
- In this editionPoint and circle are broad words.
- A place to readS.123: … “in every regular and wellgoverned Lodge a certain point within a circle, em-bordered by two perpendicular” …
Meaning
The point within a circle is interpreted through the sun and world, sacred generation, and the limits represented by accompanying lines.
Use in the book
The discussion first presents the monitorial arrangement with the two Johns, then argues for an astronomical and generative reading. The point is the sun, the circle its encompassing world or universe, and the complete figure a relation of productive powers.
Places to read
- Masonic Symbolism · Block 123… “in every regular and wellgoverned Lodge a certain point within a circle, em-bordered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, and upon the” …
- Masonic Symbolism · Block 127“330. " The point within became a universal emblem to denote the temple of the Deity, and was referred to the planetary circle in the center of which was fixed the” …
- Masonic Symbolism · Block 130“333. "The point within a circle is an interesting and important symbol in Freemasonry, but it has been so debased in the interpretation of it in the modern lectures that the” …
- Masonic Symbolism · Block 137… “true interpretation of the Masonic symbolism of the point within the circle. It is the same thing, but under different form, as the Master and Wardens of a lodge. The Master” …
In this edition
Point and circle are broad words. Phrase counts are more specific but can still cover passages advancing different interpretations.
Reading the argument
The author's preferred interpretation does not make every alternative historically late merely by calling it modern. The entry keeps the competing explanations visible and distinguishes the meaning assigned to a form from evidence about its first use.
point within a circle
“point within a circle” — 3 occurrences in 3 text blocks: S.123, 129–130.
point within the circle
“point within the circle” — 3 occurrences in 3 text blocks: S.126, 136–137.
circle
“circle” — 18 occurrences in 14 text blocks: F.38, 80, 100; S.3, 123–127, 129–130, 132, 136–137.
point
“point” — 21 occurrences in 17 text blocks: I.11; M.20, 45; F.84, 88, 91, 103; S.70, 72, 78, 123, 126–127, 129–130, 136–137.