1812: Official document bearing the signature of the Grand Secretary of the Louisiana Grand Lodge, marked with the traditional three dots in triangle (∴), a Masonic symbol.
Masonic abbreviations of technical terms or official titles are very extensively used inFreemasonry traditionally using theMasonic three dots. They serve toabbreviate long or commonly-referenced titles in the fraternity.
These abbreviations were rarely employed in the earlier Masonic publications.[1] There are no abbreviations, for example, found inAnderson's Constitutions. These came into use particularly by French authors during the 19th century.
Traditionally theThree dots (∴) also known as "tripunctual abbreviation" or "triple dot" is a symbol used all over the world inFreemasonry for abbreviations, signatures, and symbolic representation. The dots are typically arranged in a triangular pattern and carry multiple layers of meaning within Masonic tradition.[2] The (∴) is used only for Masonic abbreviations, any non-masonic abbreviations must be written with a simple dot, as an example a date on a Masonic document could be written 6024 A∴L∴/2024 A.D.In modern computer typography, the Therefore, sign is encoded inUnicode at U+2234 ∴ and inHTML (HTML ∴ · ∴). In many word processing programstherefore can be created by typing 2234 ALT+x, or ALT 8756. It is also possible to create the inverse,because, at U+2235 ∵ (HTML ∵), 2235 ALT+x, or ALT 8757.[citation needed]
The symbol has been used in Freemasonry since its earliest speculative days, at least as early as 1764, where it is found in the registers of La Sincerité Lodge inBesançon,France which strongly indicates an earlier use.[2] While some attribute its widespread adoption to a circular issued by theGrand Orient de France on August 12, 1774, evidence shows earlier usage.[3]
The symbol predates Freemasonry, appearing in various contexts:[4]
Mathematical notation (as the "therefore" symbol)
Christian religious texts (representing the Trinity)
The doubling of a letter is intended to express the plural of that word of which the single letter is the abbreviation. For example, B∴ signifies "Brother," and BB∴ " "Brothers." L∴ is used to denote "Lodge", and LL∴ to denote "Lodges". However exceptions exist; for example,Sovereign Grand Inspectors General is abbreviated as S∴G∴I∴G∴, and not S∴G∴II∴G∴.
Sometimes the same abbreviation can be used for different words, in this case the context matters, for example; F∴M∴ can mean both Free-Masonry or Free Mason, FF∴MM∴ would be its plural form.
Detail of a cornerstone in a Masonic lodge in Rochester, Minnesota with the date given in both Common Era year andAnno Lucis.Statue of Liberty plaque with M∴W∴ (Most Worshipful) and R∴W∴ (Right Worshipful).
A.Dep. –Anno Depositionis. "In the Year of the Deposite", The date used by Royal and Select Masters
A∴ L∴ G∴ D∴ G∴ A∴ D∴ L'U∴ –À la Gloire du Grand Architecte de L'Univers. "To the Glory of theGrand Architect of the Universe" (French) The usual caption of French Masonic documents.
A∴ L∴ G∴ D∴ G∴ A∴ D∴ U∴ –A la Gloria del Gran Arquitecto del Universo. "To the Glory of theGrand Architect of the Universe" (Spanish) The usual caption of Spanish Masonic documents.
A∴ L'O∴ –À L'Orient, "At the East" (French) The seat of the Lodge
M∴W∴Grand Lodge of F∴ and A∴ Masons of the State of Louisiana, at its Fifty-fifth Annual Communication, held at New Orleans, February 11, 1867. Using the three dots.
The square and compass with the three dots (∴) at its center. In some variations of the symbol, the three dots are seen at the center of the Square and Compasses.
G. and G∴[14] – Depending on the context, refers to God, Great (as in “Great Architect of the Universe”), Grand (as in “Grand Master”), Geometry, Gravitation, Gold, Generation, Genius and Gnosis[15]
G∴ A∴ O∴ T∴ U∴ – Grand Architect of the Universe.[5]
G∴ A∴ S∴ – Grand Annual Sojourn.
G.C.– Grand Chapter; Grand Council; Grand Cross; Grand Commander; Grand Chaplain; Grand Conclave; Grand Conductor; Grand Chancellor.
G∴ C∴ G∴ – Grand Captain General; Grand Captain of the Guard.
G ∴ C∴ H∴ – Grand Captain of the Host; Grand Chapter of Heredom.
I∴ N∴ R∴ I∴ –Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudoeorum. Latin, meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". The Letters are also the initials of a significant sentence in Latin, namely,Igne Natura Renovatur Integra, meaning "By fire nature is perfectly renewed".
I∴ P∴ M∴ – Immediate Past Master. English title of an official last promoted from the chair.
I∴ T∴ N∴ O∴ T∴ G∴ A∴ O∴ T∴ U∴ – In the Name of the Grand Architect of the Universe. Often forming the caption of Masonic documents.
Front cover of the first Grand Lodge proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Nevada in the year 1865 or 5865
N∴ E∴ C∴ – North-east Corner.
N'o∴ P∴ V∴ D∴ M∴ –N'oubliez pas vos décorations Maçonniques, "Do not forget your Masonic regalia" (French), a phrase used in France on the corner of a summons.
S∴ F∴ U∴ – Initials for "Salud, Fuerza, y Union", meaning health, strength and union. A valediction used in Spanish speaking jurisdictions.
S∴ G∴ D∴ – Senior Grand Deacon.
S∴ G∴ I∴ G∴ – Sovereign Grand Inspector General
S∴ G∴ W∴ – Senior Grand Warden.
S∴ M∴ – Secret Master; Substitute Master
S∴ O∴ – Senior Overseer.
S∴ P∴ R∴ S∴ – Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.
S∴ S∴ –Sanctum Sanctorum, "Holy of Holies" (Latin)
S∴ S∴ M∴ – Senior Substitute Magus.
S∴ S∴ S∴ – The initials of the Latin wordSalutem, meaning Greeting, repeated thrice and also found similarly in the French,Trois Fois Salut, meaning "Thrice Greeting". A common caption for French Masonic circulars or letters. Similarly found in SpanishTriple Abrazo Fraternal, meaning "Triple Fraternal Hug or Embrace".
V∴ or Vén∴ – Vénérable. French, meaning Worshipful.
V∴ M∴ Venerable Master. Can also beVenerable Maestro (Spanish) the title used for Worshipful Master in Spanish speaking jurisdictions.
V∴ D∴ B∴ – Very Dear Brother.
V∴ D∴ S∴ A∴ –Veut Dieu Saint Amour, orVult Dei Sanctus Animus. A formula used by the Knights Templar. The expressionVeut Dieu Saint Amour means "Wishes God Holy Love".Vult Dei Sanctus Animus is the Latin Version of the same phrase.
^Mackey, A. G. (1914).An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences: comprising the whole range of arts, sciences and literature as connected with the institution. New and rev. ed. / New York: Masonic History Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
