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the four tassels. This includes the questions whether it neither by the allurements of fl atter nor the frowns of
is important to designate a specifi c tassel to a specifi c arbitrary power. And hence this word is suggested to
Cardinal Virtue and whether a specifi c tassel and the mason certain symbolic instructions in relation to
Cardinal Virtue have an appropriate location in the justice.
lodge room. In a review of Bro Murray's paper on the
importance of the Cardinal Virtues and the tassels, it In referring to tassels, Mackey stated that one fi nds
addresses the correlation between the two on the basis them defi ned as the pre-eminent or principal virtues
of comparison among various jurisdictions. on which all other hinge or depend. He added: In
the 18th century the Freemasons delineated the
It has been suggested that the 'cardinal virtues came symbols of the four cardinal virtues by the acute angle
from the Latin word "cardo," meaning "a hinge." Old disposed. Thus, suppose you face the East, the angle
Roman writers applied "cardinal," meaning the most symbolizing Temperance will point to the south, it was
important, to the four points of cast, west, north, and called Guttural. Fortitude was denoted by a Saltire, or
south, and to the winds blowing from those directions. St. Andrew's Cross. This was the Pectoral. The symbol
East symbolized wisdom; west, strength, north, of Prudence was an acute angle pointing toward the
darkness., and south, beauty. Southeast and was denoted Manual, and Justice had
its angle toward the north and was called Pedestal, or
The ceiling of the Grand Temple in Freemason's Pedal. The possession of cardinal virtues is no special
Hall, London, England displays the Four Cardinal distinction of Freemasons, for other societies had them.
Virtues and Tassels in the Lodge room the Cardinal
Virtues as being the 'Perfect Points of Entrance, to wit: In the Canadian Rite, the relationship between the
'Guttural the throat, Pectoral the breast, Manual the Principal Points of Entrance, the Cardinal Virtues, and
hands and Pedal the feet.' Neither ritual seems to refer the Tassels are summarized as follows:
to "tassels."
Pendant to the four corners of the Lodge room are four
One article has given specifi c positions for the tassels tassels. These four tassels are described as referring to
as well as the Cardinal Virtues.` The article is a mixture the four principal points the guttural, pectoral, manual,
of both the Canadian and American rituals. This article and pedal, and through them to the four cardinal virtues,
places the tassels and Cardinal Virtues as follows: In namely Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice,
the northwest corner is Temperance which is related the practices of which are inculcated in the fi rst degree.
to guttural, since the throat is the avenue of the body
which is most employed in the sins of intemperance.
Temperance refers to the entrance upon the penal
responsibilities and 'lest any brother should forget
the danger to which he is exposed in the unguarded
hours of dissipation, the virtue of temperance is wisely
impressed upon his memory by its reference to one of
the most solemn portions of the ceremony of initiation.' Explore Freemasonry
In the northeast corner is Fortitude which is related to
pectoral since the heart has always been considered the
seat of fortitude and courage and hence by this word is
suggested to the Mason certain symbolic instructions
in relation to the virtue of Fortitude.

In the southeast corner is Prudence which is related
to manual since masons are, in a peculiar manner
reminded, by the hand, of the necessity of a prudent
and careful observance of all their pledges and duties,
and hence this organ suggests certain symbolic
instructions in relation to the virtue of Prudence.
In the southwest corner is Justice which is related to
pedal, since the just man is one who, fi rmly planting Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana
his feet on the principles of right, is as immovable as PO Box 1158, Helena, MT 59624-1158
a rock, and can be thrust from his upright position (406) 442-7774 www.grandlodgemontana.org
Page 8 Montana Freemason November December 2018