100 Seventh Ave N. Suite 4, Nashville 37209
(615) 255-2625
Tours available by appointment with the Grand Secretary
When most people see the mysterious Masonic symbols on tombstones, pass a Freemason lodge, or see a Shriner in their attire, they can’t help but be curious as to what lies behind the images. What exactly do Masons stand for? How do the symbols fit in, and what do they mean? What goes on behind closed doors? I was surprised to learn that even as a non-member you can visit a Grand Lodge: a place that helps you learn about the enigmatic fraternity and its history, and teases you with clues to its deepest mysteries. Every state has one, and Tennessee’s is in downtown Nashville!
Before we explore the Grand Lodge, let’s get a little bit of background into Freemasonry. At its heart, Freemasonry (or Masonry) is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. Wikipedia states that the group began as a society of stone masons and skilled builders during the Middle Ages in Europe; however, when cathedral building went into decline, the fraternity shifted away from the craft of building and into an organization with a social and philanthropic emphasis. (Another theory says it was started by the Knights Templar, and this is the name of one of the groups in Freemasonry today.)
According to Margaret Jacob, a professor of history at UCLA, the Enlightenment was critical to the development of the inherent core values of Freemasonry:
· To be a proper and responsible person,
· To have a thirst of knowledge,
· To have religious tolerance,
· To practice philanthropy, and
· To enjoy sociability.
The Grand Lodge of Tennessee website page here has a nice synopsis of their history, moral code, philosophy, and philanthropic contributions.
“MAKING GOOD MEN BETTER The mission of Freemasonry is to promote a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences; by teaching the great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth; and, by the outward expression of these, through its fellowship, its compassion and its concern, to find ways in which to serve God, family, country, neighbors and self.” - Grand Lodge of Tennessee
Basically, there are two main groups:
Regular Freemasonry requires that every member profess belief in a Supreme Being (although this is interpreted by the individual in his own way), that no women be admitted (although women can join Masonic-affiliated groups like the Eastern Star), that a Holy “Book of the Law” be displayed (a Bible where members are Christian, for instance), and that the discussion of religion and politics not take place within the lodge.
“Liberal” or Continental Freemasonry removes some, or all, of these restrictions and accepts atheists.
Individual, or Blue Lodges, are scattered throughout a state or province, and The Grand Lodge supervises these lodges at a regional level but acts independently from other Grand Lodges. There is no entity that governs all Grand Lodges. Interestingly, not all Lodges or Grand Lodges recognize others as legitimate, and some have more religious, cultural, and even racial leanings than others. For example, African American Masons created Prince Hall Grand Lodges when White lodges wouldn’t accept them, but state that the order is open to all men regardless of race or religion. So, if you have an interest in becoming a Freemason it is probably a good idea to “shop around” until you find one that clicks with you.
Freemasonry does not consider itself a secret society (although there are countless books* and documentaries* that debate this. (And would a secret society admit to being a secret society??) But are there cloak and dagger elements to Freemasonry? Absolutely. There are handshakes, rituals, pledges of confidentiality, and esoteric teachings that only the initiated may learn. And not just anyone can be a Mason: you must ask to be invited (they are forbidden from soliciting members) and then voted in by the brothers to become one, and you can only rise within the degrees after you demonstrate the required learning and participate in the rituals. These elements may not seem very different from those of any other fraternity you might find on a college campus. The difference lies in what the Masons stand for, the sacred knowledge they seek, and their commitment to helping others, which is essential to their ethos. There are numerous levels available to those who wish to be initiated into studying the Sacred Mysteries including the Scottish Rite, the York Rite (which includes the Cryptic Council, the Knights Templar and The Operatives) and social groups such as the Shriners International, The Ancient Egyptian Order of SCIOTS, and The Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. I have to say that with names like these, no wonder people think of Masons as a secret society! Notable Masons in the US include 14 Presidents, 33 Justices of the Supreme Court and 23 of the 39 signers of the Constitution!
And now on to the Grand Lodge, our portal to the lives of Freemasons here in Tennessee. The first Grand Lodge meeting was held in Knoxville in 1813. In 1925 a beautiful lodge dedicated and created by the local Scottish Rite was built in downtown Nashville, but by 1937 it found itself struggling. The building was sold to the Grand Lodge of Masons and so the move from Knoxville to Nashville was made. The beautiful and historic building looks a bit imposing from the outside, with its columns and copper doors. As with all Lodges and Temples it was designed meticulously, and every inch of the interior, created with sacred numbers and imagery, means something specific: there are no superfluous details. For example, when you walk in through the main doors of the First Floor you enter a beautiful lobby filled with columns. (Take a second to look around and appreciate the architectural details reflecting the 1920’s Art Deco period!) The primary hallway leads directly to a picture of the current Grand Master, and all living Past Grand Masters are placed clockwise around the room. The number of columns has numeric meaning, as does the design and number of tiles in the room. (More on symbols shortly.)
The office of the Grand Secretary is found here, which has a gift shop and some fascinating display cases with historic items, as well as a beautiful Buddha with a mysterious past. (One story is that it appeared on the steps of the Grand Master’s house without explanation, and when visiting Buddhist monks were asked to come look at it, they proclaimed it to be an important Travelling Buddha, which they consecrated. It is gorgeous and somehow very fitting for a group that studies religious teachings and rituals.) The Grand Lodge conference room, Masonic Widows and Orphans Home Fund, Sottish Rite office and Grand Lodge Museum are also on the first floor.
The Grand Lodge Museum is a great way to learn more about the Freemasons and is not to be missed. This is available to tour with the permission of the Grand Secretary’s office and has display cases filled with historic and important items, two beautiful stained-glass windows, old bookcases, and a section dedicated to Andrew Jackson and his legacy as a Mason. Interestingly, there are five portraits hanging above the door of the Leaders of Nations who were Masons: Sam Houston (Republic of Texas), Andrew Jackson (US), James K. Polk (US), Andrew Johnson (US) and John Ross (President of the Cherokee National Council). Fascinating note: I was told that Andrew Jackson and John Ross signed the Treaty of New Echota authorizing the Indian Removal Act that led to the Trail of Tears in the Masonic Lodge in Franklin while both were Presidents of their nation, but not sure this is true. (I’d like to learn more about how John Ross became a Mason while also being a Cherokee, and how this association is part of the tragic history of our nation.)
Also off of the Lobby is the Library, which has books maintained by the Scottish Rite and is used by study groups. Pictures of notable Grand Masters, including the very first Grand Master of Tennessee, Thomas Claiborne, are here, as well as the three Presidents from Tennessee: Andrew Jackson (Grand Master 1822), James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson. If you love old books with ancient knowledge, you will love being surrounded by them here! The door to the office of the Grand Master is located here as well.
From the Lobby and Library, you can walk down two hallways filled with paintings of deceased Grand Masters. (A new Grand Master is elected every year, so there are a lot of pictures throughout the building, including in the Dining Room!). I love the variety of paintings represented in this gallery, as well as the window into history represented here!
These hallways also lead to an interesting area called the Wardrobe and Dressing room. The Freemasons use dramatic performances to explore esoteric teachings and for ceremonies. Here you will see a wall filled with props including weaponry, gloves, and jewelry; an area for applying makeup and checking costumes; and wall to wall closets filled with costumes and other props. Another hallway shows door upon door of rooms filled with props! This is one reason why some people gravitate to Freemasonry: the pageantry and love of dramatic arts.
Upstairs are two rooms that I found to be beautiful and interesting: the Auditorium and the Classroom. The Auditorium seats 1206 people, and I’m told the number, configuration of the seats, and number of steps all have special meaning and significance. Here the plays and rituals for the passing of various degrees of Scottish and York Rites are performed. It’s a wonderful theater (the stage dimensions again have meaning), with great acoustics and hand painted backdrops, as well as some intriguing props backstage. It has a beautiful black and white checkerboard floor and huge chandelier, and I was told that there is great secrecy involved in the special rites performed here, and no one is allowed to record them. Since I am a bit of a drama geek, I loved the fact that the Auditorium has all kinds of special effects for their ceremonies, including sounds like thunder and even smoke, all orchestrated from a sound booth! The dramatic performances can vary from lodge to lodge but are familiar to any Mason, and include plays about the construction of the Temple of Solomon, and its chief architect, Hiram Abiff.
If you’re interested in knowing which Masonic Lodges are in Tennessee, the hallway outside of the Auditorium is filled with pictures along with their name and number.
Finally, on to what may be my favorite room, the Classroom. Don’t let this simple name fool you, it has no desks and bookcases. What it does have is a fantastic air of mystery and pomp! Thrones are found here, a domed ceiling (why domed, I wonder?), blue curtained walls with another black and white tiled floor, and other symbols of great meaning. Talk about drama! It’s fantastic, I could have sat in there contemplating this fraternal order for hours if they had let me.
Jan A. M. Snoek, a scholar of Western Esotericism, says Freemasonry describes itself as a "beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." The tools of the stonemasons are the inspiration behind many of the symbols, and it is through ritual, study groups, lectures and writings that their meanings are explored. If you have curiosity about the symbols of Masonry that can be found throughout the Grand Lodge, here is a quick overview:
All Seeing Eye, AKA the Eye of Providence or the Masonic Eye. This symbol is for the Great Architect of the Universe, God, who is always observing the deeds, actions and thoughts of humankind.
Square & Compasses: Both are tools of architects and are traced back to the stonemason’s guild.
The square represents balance, stability, and reminds one to treat others fairly (“to square our actions with all mankind”), and to apply morality and conscience to test the rightness of one’s actions.
The compass draws circles, and so represents eternity and drawing boundaries around one’s passions and desires.
Combined, the square and compass represent the melding of spirit and matter, and remind Freemasons to use good judgement and maintain their morality while exploring their passions.
Letter G: This often appears inside the Square and Compass, as well as the center of the Blazing Masonic star. While symbolism varies, it can refer to God, Geometry (used in masonry but also important in the study of math and sciences), or Gnosis (the study of spiritual mysteries).
Lambskin Apron: The apron is derived from the aprons worn by masons during work. A white lamb represents purity and innocence in the Bible; so, the white Masonic lambskin is an honorary badge that reminds members to protect one’s virtue, keep oneself pure from moral vices, symbolizes hard work, and honors the fraternity.
Gloves: Masonic gloves symbolize the 'Works of the Hands,' meaning that a mason should always perform acts as pure and spotless as the gloves given to him.
Masonic Pavement: King Solomon’s temple was designed with black and white mosaic pavements, and it symbolizes a bond that unites all members. (I overheard the Grand Secretary also speaking of the mosaic relating to notes in music, but I’m afraid I'm not sure how.)
Two Pillars: Often found at the entrance to Masonic Lodges and used during rites to represent opposite pairs: Good vs. Evil, Man and Woman, Light and Dark, Life and Death. In the Bible, the left-hand pillar of Solomon’s Temple was called “Boaz,” meaning ‘In Him is Strength,’ while the right-hand pillar was named “Jakin,” meaning ‘He Establishes.’
There is also a ghost that is said to appear in these hallways! It is believed to be Ben Allen, described by the Tennessean Magazine in 1951 as "a devotee of the Scottish Rite... but to Nashville in general he was an eccentric socialite who never did a day's work for a living and spent his time dressing finely, making engraved swords, reading palms...and doing spooky things." I sure hope its him haunting the Lodge, he sounds like an interesting guy!
I’m so glad I was able to visit the Grand Lodge! What an interesting place it is, and I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to learn more about this fraternity and what may go on behind closed doors. There are secrets within these walls, but just being able to walk into the areas most Sacred to this order allows us to better understand their motivations and have a peek at some of the spiritual mysteries found inside. It seems they are a group of friendly, sociable gentlemen, who love to engage with others and help as much as possible - not so scary after all! If fact, it seems like quite a lot of fun to be a member, especially if you love the theater and esoteric teachings. Why not see for yourself? My impressions overall were a mix of fascination and curiosity; endless curiosity!
To attend a tour, contact the office of the Grand Secretary, and either he or someone he assigns will guide you. We were lucky to have a friend who arranged for our access and answered many of our questions, and you probably know a Freemason or two yourself who will guide you. Please share your thoughts when you do! The Grand Masonic Lodge is located in downtown Nashville on the corner of 7th Avenue and Broadway, just blocks from the area’s entertainment venues.
If you liked this post, you may be interested in another mysterious location I wrote about, the Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences, whose leader is the charismatic and controversial celebrity Sadhguru. His ashram located in McMinnville is fascinating!
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