How is Freemasonry connected to Egypt?
Freemasonry has deep historical and symbolic connections to ancient Egypt, as many of its rituals and teachings are believed to have originated from the Egyptian Mysteries. According to the writings of Masonic scholars, such as Bro. Churchward, the arrangements and ceremonies of modern Freemasonry bear a striking resemblance to those practiced in ancient Egyptian temples. For instance, the author recounts a personal experience of initiation into Freemasonry, stating, “I found that I was perfectly familiar with all its arrangements, and that they were identical with those which I had known six thousand years ago in the Mysteries of Egypt.” This suggests a continuity of ritualistic practices over millennia.
Moreover, the symbolism used in Freemasonry, such as the square and the compass, has parallels in Egyptian culture. The Masonic square, known as 'neka' in ancient Egypt, was used for squaring stones and symbolically for squaring conduct, reflecting the moral teachings of both traditions. The Egyptian Hall of Judgment, where Osiris judged the dead, also utilized the square, further linking these symbols to the foundational principles of Freemasonry.
Additionally, the structure of Masonic lodges and the roles of its officers are reminiscent of the hierarchies found in ancient Egyptian priesthoods, where the Pharaoh presided over a Grand Lodge that influenced both political and religious life. The teachings of the Egyptian Mysteries, which emphasized the pursuit of knowledge and the divine within every individual, resonate with the Masonic pursuit of enlightenment and moral development.