The Camp: Part Four - The Remaining Symbols Within

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert H. Johnson° 

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

It has been a week since we last talked about the AASR's most interesting symbol. The Camp is just about one of the most interesting symbols in all of "mainstream" Freemasonry within the United States. In Part One, we introduced you to the symbol. In Part Two, we talked about the Nonagon and in Part Three, we discussed the Heptagon and the Pentagon.

In this final part in this series we will look at the remaining pieces of this interesting symbol. These remaining parts include; the Triangle, the Circle and the St. Andrews Cross. Let us begin shall we? Notice how we are traveling inward through the steps of this symbol. The Triangle appears just inside the pentagon. Of course the triangle has 3 sides and completes the number sequence started with the nonagon. Yes, that is correct, I am referring to the 3,5,7 and 9. But in this case we are working from the outside in.

The Nonagon - 9 sides.
The Heptagon - 7 sides.
The Pentagon - 5 sides.
The Triangle - 3 Sides.

The triangle in this symbol and in this place allude to a few things. First of all it is representative of the 31st and 32nd degrees in the AASR. These degrees are also known by the names, Inspectors Inquisitor and Masters of the Royal Secret or Faithful Knights of Malta. At each corner of the triangle is a pictograph. These pictures or symbols are of a Dove, a Phoenix and a Raven. You can probably guess at the symbolism there.

The Circle, which is inside the triangle represents the 33rd degree or the Inspectors General. This is of course an honorary degree and can not be applied or petitioned for. As for the reason the 33rd degree is represented with the circle in this symbol, is something I must leave on the table of mysteries.

The St. Andrews Cross simply represents the Grand Commander of the AASR.

This concludes our look into the Scottish Rites most intricate symbol; The Camp. I hope you have enjoyed these little informational bits as much as I have enjoyed researching them for you! Until next time...

~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council, Knights Templar, AMD, The Illinois Lodge of Research and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago as well as a charter member of the Society of King Solomon, a charity organization run by the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is currently working on a book of Masonic essays.