In
stonemasonry, ashlar is
quarried stone used for building. In the symbolism of Freemasonry, the "rough" and
the "perfect" ashlar
are two of the three 'movable' 'jewels' of the Mason's Lodge. Together, they
represent man in his potential and realized state, respectively.
The rough ashlar is analogous to the alchemical idea of base matter, through
which purified alchemical salt is
obtained by dissolution: both the pure salt and the perfect ashlar symbolize
the human soul realized through spiritual and intellectual pursuits.
The Masonic
concept may be related to an ancient belief that the stonecutter's art
brought order to the world by harnessing the chaos inherent within it.
Freemasonry
Resources
Masonry is not a religion, but shares many of the same aims- the betterment
of the human condition and the dispersion of ignorance.
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