Third Degree Masonic Tracing Board

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Two years ago, in 2006, I decided to try and re-interpret the Masonic tracing boards of bygone eras into a new interpretive vision, in a new medium, and in a post modern construct. The previous two were published almost to the year of one another, and so it seems this one is to follow.

I would like to present the Third Degree Masonic Tracing Board.

The work above is a modern representation of the third degree tracing boards of old. It is filled with metaphor and symbolism, fluent to all master masons.

Tracing boards were originally created as visual aids to illustrate the symbols and teachings of Freemasonry as conveyed within their corresponding degree. The allegorical and symbolic aspect is Western, and this interpretation has been adapted for the modern Freemason.

Unique in this board is the story of the transformation of the neophyte through a progressive ascension through three spheres culminating into the space of the divine. The notion of these spheres comes from the alchemist Agrippa and his work from Three Books of Occult Philosophy, and they represent the earthly realm of man (materia), the celestial realm of angels (spirit), and the super celestial realm of the divine (soul). This third shperes is often referred to as the Monad.

This is not a literal representation of past boards, but my interpretation of the culminating third degree of the tradition of Freemasonry.

Let me know what you think here on my blog.

If you liked the series of boards, you can own them as your own fine art here!

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Image above may not be copied without the expressed written consent of it’s owner, Gregory Stewart, Freemason Information