What is the connection between King Solomon’s Temple, the Egyptian Temple of Karnak, and the Masonic Lodge?
Freemasonry draws significant inspiration from the legendary construction of King Solomon's Temple, as described in the Bible. This grand edifice serves as a powerful allegory for building a spiritual temple within oneself. Albert Pike, in his influential work Morals and Dogma, emphasizes that the Temple of Solomon is a symbolic image of the Universe, representing the world in miniature .
While there is no direct historical link between Masonic rituals and the Egyptian Temple of Karnak, the latter, with its monumental architecture and symbolic imagery, embodies a similar ancient tradition of sacred building and spiritual pursuit. The Egyptian temples were regarded with deep reverence, much like how Masons view their lodges today . In fact, the Masonic Lodge itself is conceived as a symbolic representation of the Temple, a place where Masons gather to learn moral lessons, practice brotherhood, and work towards self-improvement, mirroring the ancient dedication to divine principles and the pursuit of wisdom .