Customer Reviews

Symbols of Freemasonry (Beliefs Symbols)

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I bought this book as a present for my husband. I agree with many of the positive reviews that have already been written. This is indeed a book with wonderful pictures rich in detail, and there is quite good explanation to the meaning behind the symbols. However....when I had viewed the excerpts on Amazon, I expected the book to be larger in size. The pictures are indeed beautiful, but they turned out to be quite small. In addition, the text is so small and difficult to read (geez, 6 pt font???). This book is approximately 21cm x 16.5 cm (8.2 x 6.5 inches).

Even if you never intend to read this book, buy it for the Beautiful Symbolism ! This little Book has absolutely Astounding, Full-Color Pictures--many of-which I have never seen, before. The Book is worth owning for the picture of the RC Cross Apron, alone. However, the other Apron Photos are quite Fascinating. The Lodge pictures are beautiful. Anyone with any interest in Freemasonry will treasure this book. The Full-Color photos are amazing. This book was written by a French Mason, so some of the content will be new to others--but, the rest is Universal.

Freemasonry is mankind's oldest existing fraternal brotherhood with a presence weaving its way through millennia of history. Its past members include kings, presidents, chancellors, military leaders, and heads of business. It has been home to writers, philosophers, the world's greatest composers, and men of all shapes, sizes, and colors, both humble and notorious. This work features the symbols and icons that have attracted these people to this ancient order along with the deeper philosophy and ethos they represent.

It is important to note two things regarding this work. Firstly this rendition is extremely specific to European craft in general and the masonry of France in particular. As my fellow brothers undoubtedly know there are subtle derivations and departures between the work of France and that of the Grand Lodges of the United States, however regardless of your nationality you will find this book both beautiful and enlightening. Second, if you're looking to learn the "secrets" of Master masons without joining our organization, this book will not reveal them to you. Nothing that is found within is not readily available from other sources. If you want to be one, ask one.

Berensiak's Symbols of Freemasonry is a gorgeous book. Its visuals are an eclectic mix of wonderfully photographed symbols and items to beautiful full page renditions of famous works of art. My only complaint is the books physical size; I would have liked to it be a larger "coffee table" size work that could be prominently displayed.

Amazingly well translated from a French original source. Rare information and exceedingly high quality photography help articulate the esoteric side of the ancient fraternity. Wonderful find!!!

This book is rich with photos chosen appropriately to illustrate the subjects discussed. The discussion is clearly written and logical. The one thing that needs to be added is a section specific to Women's lodges from the obedience of Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium and its growth in the USA. This book gave no indication this Masonic avenue for women exists and needs to be reissued with the information that Freemasonry is growing in female members here in this country.

If you have a family member or friend who is Mason or just know someone who enjoys collecting fraternal items this book would make a great gift.

The illustrations in this book are excellent! Unfortunately,the print is ridiculously small.
The author does cover a lot of basic information about Freemasonry; an interesting topic was the concept of time related to the building of various temples. Solomon's temple or the second temple constucted by Zerubbabel.
The Masonic year began in March. In the past Hebrew names of months were used. There are a lot of Hebrew connections to Freemasonry. Those connections relate to,among other areas,cabbala and also the Tree of Life.

Speculative masonry rejected the legend of the craft which honored the tower of Babel and Nimrod for a preferred link to King Solomon.

There is a legend telling of how 3 architects discovered an ancient temple attributed to Enoch and the discovery of "a brilliantly shining triangle". I had not formerly heard of an Enochian temple.

The last descendant of Cain was Tubal-Cain-a blacksmith. Biblically speaking,Cain was a builder and built a city. I don't see a Scripture that claims that Cain "founded a dynasty of creators". But that doesn't make it fiction.

Hiram the architect was a son of a widow. There is a tie with Horus,also the son of a widow.

There was a fascinating chapter about the Two Pillars and possible identifications to different mythological or Biblical figures.

The subject of the "forbidden fruit" of Genesis was something new. Could it have been a fig or a pomegranate instead of an apple? The argument that they are more common to the Jerusalem area makes sense. Something to ponder anyway.

"Khor" is the Hebrew form of "Horus" the Egyptian god. That looks very much like the "Kore" of the Old Testsament.

A list of Masons in history was a trivia bonus.

Despite the small print,this book is an educational tool for anyone interesting in taking an outsider's curious look at Freemasonry.
The author details different rites of Masonry and where they originated. He really covers a lot of ground despite the small size of the book.

Bad customer service, shipping takes too long, and nobody answer you when you try to contact them, is hard to cancel your order...

This book is one of the best, most beautiful books on Freemasonry I've come across. It is a small, hard cover book, with amazing photographs. It covers Continental freemasonry, which remotes to the foundation of the Craft in 1717. This book will be much appreciated by any mason who buys it or receives it as a present. The print is a bit small, which is not a problem unless you need reading glasses.

A nice compliment to any Freemason history buff. Deals with the different symbols used in Freemasonry, and has some beautiful pictures to go along with the book.