Prominent masonic scholars explore the history, myth and symbolism behind Freemasonry's greatest edifice, the Temple of Solomon the King. Included here are: The Symbolism of Solomon's Temple, Solomon's Temple, The Middle Chamber of Solomon's Temple, Esoteric Symbolism of King Solomon's Temple, A Short Explanation of the Seal of Solomon and King Solomon's Temple and the Story of the Third Degree.

Of the various modes of communicating instruction to the uninformed, the masonic student is particularly interested in two; namely, the instruction by legends and that by symbols. It is to these two, almost exclusively, that he is indebted for all that he knows, and for all that he can know, of the philosophic system which is taught in the institution. All its mysteries and its dogmas, which constitute its philosophy, are intrusted for communication to the neophyte, sometimes to one, sometimes to the other of these two methods of instruction, and sometimes to both of them combined. The Freemason has no way of reaching any of the esoteric teachings of the Order except through the medium of a legend or a symbol. Contents: Preface. I. Preliminary. II. The Noachidæ. III. The Primitive Freemasonry of Antiquity. IV. The Spurious Freemasonry of Antiquity. V. The Ancient Mysteries. VI. The Dionysiac Artificers. VII. The Union of Speculative and Operative Masonry at the Temple of Solomon. VIII. The Travelling Freemasons of the Middle Ages. IX. Disseverance of the Operative Element. X. The System of Symbolic Instuction. XI. The Speculative Science and the Operative Art. XII. He Symbolism of Solomon'S Temple. XIII. The Form of the Lodge. XIV. The Officers of a Lodge. XV. The Point Within a Circle. XVI. The Covering of the Lodge. XVII. Ritualistic Symbolism. XVIII. The Rite of Discalceation. XIX. The Rite of Investiture. XX. The Symbolism of the Gloves. XXI. The Rite of Circumambulation. XXII. The Rite of Intrusting, and the Symbolism of Light. XXIII. Symbolism of the Corner-Stone. XXIV. The Ineffable Name. XXV. The Legends of Freemasonry. XXVI. The Legend of the Winding Stairs. XXVII. The Legend of the Third Degree. XXVIII. The Sprig of Acacia. XXIX. The Symbolism of Labor. XXX. The Stone of Foundation.216 XXXI.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Symbolism of Freemasonry" (Illustrating and Explaining Its Science and Philosophy, Its Legends, Myths and Symbols) by Albert Gallatin Mackey. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Two masonic authors examine quotations from a number of William Shakespeare's plays, in which the Bard appears to leave clues familiar to members of a certain fraternity.

We have all been told that Solomon was a noble and wise ruler in ancient times. However, in the past twenty years, much of our understanding about biblical times has changed. Eminent archaeologists have indicated that Solomon was not his real name, but one given to him some time after his death. Furthermore, increased understanding of ancient languages has resulted in the correction of many translation errors and changed our perception of biblical events. This reveals that what the church has promoted for several centuries may have to be reconsidered. This book reveals a secret that has been lying at the center of Freemasonry for hundreds of years. Who really was Solomon and what was the nature of the secret knowledge he possessed? This book reveals how the temple would have worked and its connection to modern Freemasonry. The pentagram, or Solomon's Seal, is a Masonic symbol. Where did it come from and what is its meaning?

Several notable masonic writers explore the subject of Kabbalah and how it intersects with Freemasonry. Included here are the essays: The Kabbalah of Masonry, Gematria and the Letter G, Kabbalah and the Origin of Freemasonry and Notes on the Kabbalah of the Old Testament.