Was the winding staircase part of the fellowcraft degree when the legend of Noah was in use? Or did that come about when Noah was removed and replaced by Hiram?
The winding staircase is indeed a significant symbolic element within the Fellowcraft degree of Freemasonry, primarily associated with the legend of King Solomon's Temple. According to James C. Stewart in his paper, *The Winding Stair: Geometry & The Secrets of Nature*, the winding staircase symbolizes the journey of intellectual and moral development, inviting the candidate to ascend and gain further knowledge. It is described as a central theme in Freemasonry, illustrating the principle of ascent.
While the legend of Noah is not a central element of the standard Fellowcraft ritual, the Winding Stair itself is linked to the biblical description of Solomon's Temple found in 1 Kings 6:8. This suggests that the Winding Stair has been a part of Masonic symbolism for a considerable time, independent of the specific legends associated with Noah or Hiram Abiff. The transition from the legend of Noah to that of Hiram Abiff in Masonic lore reflects broader changes in the allegorical narratives used within the degrees, but the Winding Stair has remained a constant symbol of moral and intellectual ascent throughout these changes.