The emblem of Lodge Jerusalem is based around the Hamsa and has many different symbolical meanings. One of our founding members, RW Bro. Joseph V Haffner has written an explanation below of the Hamsa’s meaning to our lodge.
The Hamsa hand has become a popular good luck symbol worldwide.
Hamsa in Hebrew and Khamsa in Arabic are the respective words for “five”.
The Hamsa is known for its power to protect the owner from the evil eye and bring happiness and prosperity. It is considered a strong symbol of power and strength.
The Hamsa is a respected symbol by all the three great monotheistic religions; with the five fingers symbolising the Five Books of Moses that are the inspiring source for the religions.
The three fingers in the middle of the Hamsa and pointing to the top, symbolise to Freemasons:
- the three great pillars of Freemasonry: wisdom, strength and beauty
- the three Grand Masters: King Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abif
- the three grand principles of Freemasonry: brotherly love, relief and truth or
- the three Great Lights of Freemasonry
- the three degrees in Freemasonry as well as the three great monotheistic religions.
The other two fingers on the sides of the Hamsa, but not less important in our lives as free and accepted Masons represent our obligations and our rights.
The five fingers together symbolise and remind us of the five styles of architecture or the five points of fellowship.
The five fingers of the Hamsa represent: faith, tolerance, charity, strength and love.
The Hamsa is not a religious symbol like a crucifix, a Magen David or a crescent.
The Sun and its radiation remind us of the light and enlightenment provided by Freemasonry.
The dove is symbolising the trinity and with an olive branch in its beak stands for the ideal of peace on Earth.
The wall in the background illustrates the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, the magnificent art of the Masons and our first lesson of Architecture (V.S.L. I Kings 6). It also reminds us of the astonishing fortification walls built by Suleiman the Magnificent all around Jerusalem.
The total amount of our Lodge’s Number(s) (1056) represents the number of the Tribes of Israel.
The White background colour of our banner represents our love for peace and the blue border stands for the colour of the Craft, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, faith, truth and heaven.
Lodge Jerusalem No. 1056 