The term "Freemasons" first appeared in England in the 14th century, referring to masons moving in groups around the countryside building large masonry structures. Secrecy within the society arose as a result of members' desire to preserve the integrity of the skilled nature of the labor pool of member masons, or perhaps to exclude undesirable apprentices to the trade. The idea of independent structure, free of state intervention led the freemasonry movement to become closely identified with American independence. Washington, Revere, Hancock were all freemasons. Progression through Masonic learning and ranking within the socieity is likened to the androgynous notion of the perfection of mathematics, geometry and the purity of art and science. The Masonic symbol shown here demonstrates how Masons embodied this spirit of perfection which had little, if anything, to do with gender.
Freemasonry
