The Secret History of Freemasonry

Universal Freemasonry 217

have recovered from many of the preventive measures taken against
symbolism, notably that displayed against the alchemists since the time
of Lavoisier. They have grasped the hidden meaning of their writings
and have understood that the symbol is a suitable kind of approach
and even an expression of the truth. Accordingly it is a priori of the
transcendent.
In the next chapter we will see that the organized implementation
of symbolism occurs through ritual in order to transmit the profound
and traditional teachings of freemasonry.

Signs of Recognition

We can divide the symbols intended to preserve the craft secrets of
masonry into the categories of ritual "words, signs, and touches." We
have already come across the masons' word in our discussion of the
statutes of the Scottish lodges. Reverend George Hickes wrote on this
subject in 1678: "They [the Freemasons] were obliged to receive the
Masons' word, which is a secret signal that they possess to identify each
other throughout the whole world. He who holds it can bring his
brother mason to his side without hailing him and without your seeing
the signal.""
Although this testimony dates from an era when Masonry had
become largely speculative, it is probable that it refers to a very old
craft tradition.

French: Language of the Crafts

Although often given to excessive imagination, Peladan justly noted
that from the twelfth to sixteenth centuries, the language of the crafts
was French:^12

Before the idea of internationalism had been expressed,* the high

dignitaries of the corporations had established between themselves

and their colleagues a diplomatic undertanding that concerned

• It was an expression of Christianity.