Geometry holds a significant place in Freemasonry, often being linked to the natural order and moral truths. In James C. Stewart's paper, "The Winding Stair- Geometry & The Secrets of Nature," it is stated that "Geometry is of a divine and moral nature, enriched with the most useful knowledge, so that while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of morality." This highlights the belief that geometry is not merely a mathematical discipline but a means to understand the divine order of the universe.
Furthermore, Stewart emphasizes that geometry allows us to "curiously trace nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses," suggesting that the study of geometry reveals deeper truths about the natural world and its underlying order.
In another paper, "Freemasonry and the Transmission of Geometry," Stewart discusses how geometry was historically guarded by operative masons and was foundational to the Masonic system. He notes that the Halliwell Manuscript, one of the oldest Masonic documents, begins with the line, "Here begin the constitutions of the art of geometry according to Euclid," underscoring the importance of geometry in Masonic tradition.
Moreover, geometry is portrayed as a symbol of order and universality, with references to the Pythagorean theorem and the Golden Ratio, which are seen as reflections of the divine order in nature. Stewart mentions that "the magnitude of the discovery of the Golden Ratio cannot be overstated; its relationship to nature is fundamental and universal," indicating that geometry serves as a bridge between mathematical principles and the natural world.