Freemasons Vs. Masons

Freemasonry is a practice and community that incorporates a wide variety of people and beliefs. While it had vague roots in the practices of stonework that constitute masonry, it developed into something completely different and autonomous.

Roots

While its origins are somewhat obscure, Freemasonry was initially based in part on actual building and stonework. At some point between the late 14th century and the mid-15th century, a document called the Regius Poem was written. The Regius Poem outlined moral codes loosely associated with geometry and building.

Symbols

The symbols of Freemasonry are diverse in origin. Some of them are anchored in actual masonry, such as the square and compass that compose the central insignia of Freemasonry.

Metaphors

Freemasonry incorporates many architectural metaphors in outlining its moral code and internal hierarchies, such as that of the pillar.

Myths

Though its origins are obscure, Freemasonry anchors a lot of its mythology and moral code in story of the building of King Solomon's Temple.

Freemasonry

Since the 16th and 17th centuries, Freemasonry has been otherwise unrelated to building and stonework. After the 1717 formation of the Grand Lodge in England, Freemasonry became an abstract fraternal organization, devoted to all realms of moral and social improvement.

References

• Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry