The Freemasons are an ancient fraternal organization, often shrouded in mystery. For centuries, members of the Freemasons have used secret handshakes and cryptic language to communicate with one another. One of the most common ways Freemasons say goodbye is through their ancient ritualistic phrase, “May the Great Architect of the Universe bless you and keep you.” This phrase is not only used as a way to say goodbye, but also as a blessing of strength and protection for the person being addressed. In this article, we’ll discuss the origins of this phrase and its importance in Freemasonry. The traditional farewell among Freemasons is “Be Joyful, Be Faithful, Be True”.
How Do Freemasons Say Goodbye in Meetings?
Freemasons have a long history of traditions and customs to follow when conducting meetings and gatherings, including how they say goodbye. In most Masonic lodges, the customary way of ending a meeting is by using the phrase, “Three times three be all hail to thee.” This phrase has been used for centuries by Freemasons to signify the end of a meeting and offer their respects to each other.
The phrase is said three times, with each member of the lodge raising their hands and repeating it together. This serves as a sign of unity amongst the members, as well as a way to mark the end of the gathering. After this ritual is complete, members usually take turns sharing any final thoughts or comments before leaving.
It’s important that Freemasons say goodbye respectfully, as this is seen as an important part of showing respect for their fellow members. This is why they use the phrase “Three times three be all hail to thee” when bidding farewell. After saying this phrase three times together, members will often exchange hugs or handshakes before departing.
The tradition of saying goodbye in such a way has been around for centuries and is still practiced today by many different Masonic lodges around the world. It’s an integral part of Freemasonry that serves to remind its members that even after a meeting ends, they are still connected through their shared values and beliefs.
What Are the Other Ways Freemasons Say Goodbye?
The Freemasons, an ancient and honorable fraternal organization, have many traditions and customs that they follow. As with any other organization or group of people, they have their own way of saying goodbye. A few common phrases used by Freemasons to bid farewell include: “A vale of peace,” “Until we meet again,” and “God speed.” These phrases are often said in the context of a meeting or gathering, but can also be said when two people are parting ways.
In addition to these traditional greetings, some Freemasons may also use more unique phrases to say goodbye. These can include: “Farewell and prosperity,” “Be ever mindful,” “Farewell until we meet again,” and “If it please God.” These phrases are meant to invoke a sense of good will and brotherhood between two individuals as they part ways. They are also intended to remind each person of their responsibility to uphold the values and principles of Freemasonry.
There are a few other ways that Freemasons may say goodbye as well. Some members may choose to recite a short poem or quote from one of their Masonic texts as a way of expressing good will. Others might offer a toast or blessing before parting ways. Lastly, some may choose to offer words of encouragement or advice before departing from one another’s company.
No matter what phrase is used, the intent is always the same: that all those involved in the conversation part in peace and goodwill towards one another. The Freemasons have many long-standing traditions that they hold dear; saying goodbye is just one more way that they show brotherly love while respecting each other’s time and space.
What Are the Origins of Freemason Farewells?
The origins of Freemason farewells can be traced back to the beginning of the organization itself. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that traces its roots to Medieval stonemasons who worked on building cathedrals and castles throughout Europe. These stonemasons developed a unique language, known as “Masonic ritual,” which they used to communicate with one another in secret. This language included words and gestures that were meant to protect their secrets from outsiders.
One of these gestures was a ritualized handshake, which was used to identify an individual as a member of the Masonic brotherhood. This gesture was accompanied by a special phrase, which served as a farewell among Masons: “May you be ever mindful of the great bond that unites us all.” This phrase has become synonymous with Freemasonry and is still used today when members say goodbye to each other.
In addition to this handshake and phrase, other traditional farewells have been added over the years by Masonic lodges throughout the world. Examples include phrases such as “God bless you” and “Farewell until we meet again.” These are often accompanied by other symbolic gestures, such as pointing toward heaven or making a sign of the cross in blessing someone at their departure.
The use of these traditional farewells serves not only as a way for Masons to recognize each other but also as an expression of their deep spiritual beliefs about brotherhood and unity. Although some have evolved over time, these farewells remain part of Freemasonry’s long-standing tradition and are still used today among its members around the world.
Saying Goodbye Among Freemasons
The act of saying goodbye is an important part of Freemasonry, as it is a traditional way of bidding farewell to a brother who is leaving the lodge. Saying goodbye among Freemasons carries a special significance, as it symbolizes the end of a brotherhood bond and serves as a reminder that even when we may have to part ways, we will always remain brothers in spirit. It also serves to remind us that our duty as Freemasons is to always remain true to each other and to uphold the values and principles of the fraternity.
Saying goodbye among Freemasons involves using special handshakes or words spoken in a certain way. This allows members to recognize each other’s presence, even if they are not physically in the same room. It also allows members to express their appreciation for each other’s presence and commitment.
The ritual of saying goodbye among Freemasons is often accompanied by a gift exchange between the departing and remaining members. This exchange serves as an outward sign of appreciation for the departing member’s contributions, and it also symbolizes the continued commitment of the remaining members to their obligations within the fraternity.
Therefore, saying goodbye among Freemasons provides an opportunity for reflection on one’s journey within the fraternity. It gives departing members an opportunity to look back on their time in the lodge and appreciate all that they have learned and experienced during their time there. The ritual also provides an opportunity for remaining members to reflect on their own journey within the fraternity and how they can continue living up to its values and principles.
Overall, saying goodbye among Freemasons is an important ritual that serves many purposes – from recognizing each other’s presence, expressing appreciation for one another’s commitment, exchanging gifts as symbols of appreciation, and providing opportunities for reflection on one’s journey within the fraternity. This ritual helps ensure that despite parting ways physically, members remain connected in spirit through their shared values and principles.
How Do Freemasons Say Goodbye in Everyday Life?
Freemasons say goodbye in a variety of ways, depending on the situation. Generally, when parting ways with another Freemason, they will exchange a handshake and say “Goodbye” or “Farewell.” This is done to show their respect and camaraderie.
In some cases, it is not uncommon for a Freemason to use a secret phrase when saying goodbye in order to remind each other of their shared values and beliefs.
In some cases, the farewell phrase may even be accompanied by a special gesture such as raising the right hand to the heart while saying it. This gesture is meant to remind them of their duty to uphold the principles of Freemasonry and serve as an outward sign of recognition between members of the same lodge.
No matter how they choose to part ways, Freemasons always do so in a respectful and honorable manner that reflects their commitment to their values and beliefs. They take pride in showing respect to both fellow members and non-members alike when departing from one another’s presence.
Goodbye Rituals in Masonic Lodges
Masonic lodges have a variety of rituals and customs for saying goodbye to their members. In some lodges, the members may say goodbye to each other in a formal manner, while in others it may be more informal. The most common way for Masons to say goodbye is with a handshake. This signifies the bond between members and is usually accompanied by a brief exchange of words or phrases such as “Goodbye brother” or “God bless”. In some lodges, members may also exchange special gifts or tokens as part of the farewell ritual.
In addition to the handshake and exchange of words, some lodges also perform certain rituals such as singing Masonic songs before saying goodbye. This helps create a sense of camaraderie among the members and serves as a reminder that even after leaving the lodge, they are still part of a bigger family. Other lodges may also include prayers or readings from Masonic books as part of their goodbye ritual.
At the end of each meeting, most lodges will have a closing ceremony which involves reciting certain passages from Masonic books and performing certain symbolic gestures. These gestures are meant to symbolize unity and remind Masons that they are all part of one fraternity despite being from different backgrounds and beliefs. After this ceremony is complete, members typically exchange handshakes and say goodbye to each other in order to close out their meeting.
No matter how different Masonic lodges choose to say goodbye, they all share one common purpose: showing respect for fellow brothers and reminding them that they are always connected in spirit even if geographic distances separate them. Saying goodbye in this way not only serves as an important reminder but also ensures that lodge meetings end on a positive note each time.
Are There Special Rituals or Practices to Say Goodbye to a Mason?
Masonry is a unique and ancient tradition with many rituals and practices, including those for saying goodbye to a Mason. In Freemasonry, the ritual of saying goodbye is called “closing the Lodge” and it involves several steps that must be taken in order for the Lodge members to properly close out the meeting. The first step in closing the Lodge is for all members to stand and sing “Auld Lang Syne”. This hymn is a traditional farewell song which dates back centuries and speaks of memories gone by, friendships made, and times shared. After singing “Auld Lang Syne”, each member will then take turns offering up prayers for the safety, health, and prosperity of all present.
The next step in closing the Lodge is for each member to take turns offering up a toast to their fallen brothers, wishing them peace in their journeys beyond this life. The final step is for each member to give a final handshake or embrace as they bid their farewells before departing from the Lodge. This ritual serves as a reminder of how important it is to cherish our friendships while we have them, even if they may not last forever.
These special rituals or practices are carried out at every Masonic lodge around the world as members come together to share their experiences and knowledge of Freemasonry before bidding each other farewell. It’s an intimate way of saying goodbye that shows respect and honor for those who have come before us.
Last Thoughts
Freemasons have several unique ways of saying goodbye, depending on the context and the situation. Although Freemasons do not technically have an official way to say goodbye, they often use phrases such as “peace be with you” and “until we meet again,” which are meant to convey a sense of fraternity and good wishes. Freemasonry is a centuries-old tradition, and its customs and rituals are closely guarded secret. Saying goodbye in a Masonic way helps to keep these traditions alive.
For Freemasons, saying goodbye is a ritual that signifies the end of one meeting, but also serves as an expression of brotherhood and friendship that will endure until they meet again. Whether parting with friends or bidding farewell to colleagues in a professional setting, Freemasons always strive to uphold their traditions while wishing each other well in the present moment.