What are the 3 greater lights and 3 lesser lights in Freemasonry? And what are their significations?
The three greater lights in Freemasonry are:
These are considered essential for the existence and functioning of a Masonic lodge. The Holy Bible serves as the rule and guide of faith, while the Square and Compasses symbolize moral and ethical conduct.
The three lesser lights are:
These lights are arranged in a triangular formation around the altar and symbolize the guiding principles of the lodge. The Sun represents the active, life-giving force, the Moon symbolizes the reflective and nurturing aspect, and the Master of the Lodge embodies the authority and governance of the lodge. Together, they illuminate the path for Masons as they seek knowledge and enlightenment.
As noted by Carl H. Claudy, "The Lesser Lights are lit when the lodge is opened and extinguished when the lodge is closed... they form one of those symbols in Freemasonry... which the individual brother is supposed to examine and translate for himself".