The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a

square In geometry, a square is a regular polygon, regular quadrilateral. It has four straight sides of equal length and four equal angles. Squares are special cases of rectangles, which have four equal angles, and of rhombuses, which have four equal si ...

and a set of

compasses A compass, also commonly known as a pair of compasses, is a technical drawing instrument that can be used for inscribing circles or arcs. As dividers, it can also be used as a tool to mark out distances, in particular, on maps. Compasses ca ...

joined) is the single most identifiable symbol of

Freemasonry Freemasonry (sometimes spelled Free-Masonry) consists of fraternal groups that trace their origins to the medieval guilds of stonemasons. Freemasonry is the oldest secular fraternity in the world and among the oldest still-existing organizati ...

. Both the square and compasses are

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

's tools and are used in

Masonic ritual Masonic ritual is the scripted words and actions that are spoken or performed during the degree work in a Masonic lodge. Masonic symbolism is that which is used to illustrate the principles which Freemasonry espouses. Masonic ritual has appeared ...

as emblems to teach symbolic lessons. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lessons in conduct: for example, Duncan's Masonic Monitor of 1866 explains them as: "The square, to square our actions; The compasses, to circumscribe and keep us within bounds with all mankind". However, as Freemasonry is non-dogmatic, there is no general interpretation for these symbols (or any Masonic symbol) that is used by Freemasonry as a whole. The name Square and Compass was used by two national college fraternities that were created by

Master Masons Freemasonry (sometimes spelled Free-Masonry) consists of fraternal groups that trace their origins to the medieval guilds of stonemasons. Freemasonry is the oldest secular fraternity in the world and among the oldest still-existing organizati ...

, specifically

Square and Compass The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a steel square, square and a set of compass (drafting), compasses joined) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry. Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in M ...

and a group later called

Sigma Mu Sigma Sigma Mu Sigma () is a former American college fraternity founded in 1921 at Tri-State University. Sigma Mu Sigma was historically an all-male social fraternity open originally to Master Masons, and later open to all undergraduate male students. ...

With a "G"

In many English speaking countries, the Square and Compasses are depicted with the letter "G" in the center. The letter has multiple meanings, representing different words depending on the context in which it is discussed. The most common is that the "G" stands for

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

. Another is that it stands for

Geometry Geometry (; ) is a branch of mathematics concerned with properties of space such as the distance, shape, size, and relative position of figures. Geometry is, along with arithmetic, one of the oldest branches of mathematics. A mathematician w ...

, and is to remind Masons that Geometry and Freemasonry are synonymous terms described as being the "noblest of sciences", and "the basis upon which the superstructure of Freemasonry and everything in existence in the entire universe is erected. In this context, it can also stand for

Great Architect of the Universe The Great Architect of the Universe (also Grand Architect of the Universe or Supreme Architect of the Universe) is a conception of God discussed by many Christian theologians and apologists. As a designation it is used within Freemasonry to r ...

(a non-denominational reference to God)."

Use of the symbol by other fraternal bodies

The square and compasses have been used as a symbol by several organizations, sometimes with additional symbols: * The

Order of Free Gardeners The Order of Free Gardeners is a fraternal society that was founded in Scotland in the middle of the 17th century and later spread to England and Ireland. Like numerous other friendly societies of the time, its principal aim was the sharing of ...

, which adds an open pruning knife within the square and compasses * The Junior Order of United American Mechanics, which adds an arm-and-hammer within the square and compasses. * The Independent United Order of Mechanics, which retains the symbol unchanged. * The

Royal Black Institution The Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth, or simply the Royal Black Institution,

, which uses the symbol unchanged. * Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia uses the square and three sets of compasses in its arms. The Philadelphia arms are similar to the City of London Livery Company, the

Worshipful Company of Carpenters The Worshipful Company of Carpenters is a livery company of the City of London. The Carpenters were traditionally different from a fellow wood-crafting company, the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers, in that carpenters utilised nails whi ...

* The Incorporation of Wrights and Masons – Edinburgh Trades. The Wrights' symbol is the square and compasses in a different configuration from the traditional Masonic one. Wright is the Scottish and Northern English term for a Carpenter. * The arms of the former

Allan Glen's School Allan Glen's School was, for most of its existence, a State school, local authority, selective Secondary education, secondary school for boys in Glasgow, Scotland, charging nominal fees for tuition. It was founded by the Allan Glen's Endowment ...

, still used by the school club and independent rugby club,Allan Glen's Rugby Club
/ref> incorporate a square and compasses in a similar configuration to the Edinburgh Wrights. Allan Glen was a wright by trade and the school's arms are similar to those formerly used by the Incorporation of Wrights of Glasgow. *, one of several revolutionary churches established during the colonial period in the Philippines, appears to have the same Masonic compasses over a triangle, identical to that of the Allied Masonic Degrees.

References

* {{Portal bar, Mathematics Masonic symbolism