The Level in Freemasonry: The Fellowcraft in Progress

The Level is not a tool of initiation. It comes later. It is not for those still learning to stand, but for those who are beginning to walk. While the Plumb Rule, entrusted to the Junior Warden, guides the Entered Apprentice in the search for verticality — the inner axis of silence and depth — the Level belongs to the Fellowcraft. It marks the passage from introspection to openness, from the inner life to the world outside.

The Level only takes on meaning once the vertical has been found. Without it, the horizontal remains abstract. The Fellowcraft does not abandon the axis he has discovered; he learns to carry it within himself while moving outward, opening to encounter.

From the Perpendicular to the Level: A Change of Axis

While the Perpendicular, entrusted to the Junior Warden, guides the Entered Apprentice in their search for verticality, the Level belongs to the Fellowcraft, who learns to embrace the horizontality of the world. A symbol of the Senior Warden,  the Level marks a new stage in the relationship with reality, with time, and with others.

The Level

It is often said that the Fellowcraft moves from the Perpendicular to the Level. This transition is not a mere shift, nor a simple substitution of one posture for another. It is rather the extension of an axis through an opening. The Freemason cannot remain confined to the Chamber of Reflection; he must now walk. Not in every direction, but in one clear, deliberate, and steady course. He must not dissolve into the world, but traverse it.

The Level thus opens a space for action. It calls the Fellowcraft to take his place among humanity — not above, not below, but at the same level. The task is no longer only internal or purely symbolic; it becomes relational. It is about being present with and for others, while preserving the demand for upright work.

The Level: Horizontal Grounded in the Vertical

The Level does not replace the Perpendicular; it relies on it. It applies the same quest for the axis, but in a different plane. The Perpendicular descends; the Level opens. One establishes, the other orients.

In most continental rites, the Level takes the form of a square with two arms joined by a horizontal crossbar in the shape of an A. A plumb line suspended from the top marks the vertical. In Anglo-Saxon traditions, the tool appears as an inverted T. In both cases, the horizontal is stable while the vertical remains mobile — it is the vertical that tells us whether the line is true.

It is no coincidence that the Level is entrusted to the Fellowcraft. The horizontal line it shows can only be accurate if the vertical is preserved. It is not a tool for immediate use; it assumes that an axis has already been established. The Fellowcraft does not abandon the Perpendicular but extends it differently. He does not change his principle, only his direction.

The Level reminds us that every horizontal line is adjusted from an inner axis. The plumb line descends to the deepest part of oneself, where a more profound intimacy with gravity is perceived than the purely physical kind. It does not impose a path; it calls us instead to rediscover the point of accuracy that enables us to orient our work without losing ourselves.

The Figure of Man, the Figure of the Cross

The path of the Fellowcraft does not replace that of the Entered Apprentice; it builds upon it. What the Entered Apprentice has discovered within himself cannot remain hidden: he must open his arms, take action, and form bonds. The vertical dimension does not vanish but is integrated into a new gesture — the horizontal embrace.

The Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

The intersection of these two axes gives rise to the image of a man standing with open arms, advancing without breaking the axis. Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man famously illustrates this: a figure inscribed in a circle, perfectly proportioned, balanced in its dimensions yet always oriented. This intersection also forms a cross — a symbol older than Christianity, transcending religions, embodying the point at which movement remains faithful to the axis.

Yet this openness does not mean forgetting the vertical. It requires a centred heart that refuses dispersion and speech measured in its rightful place, faithful to what is essential. Without this, arms wave in vain and the walk falters. The Fellowcraft learns to dwell in this intersection — not as a clash of opposing forces, but as the discreet harmony of one who can act without betraying his foundations.

Equality in Ritual and in the World

The Level is not only a symbol of axis and direction. From the eighteenth century onwards, certain rituals attributed an additional meaning to it: equality. This interpretation is more moral and social than symbolic. In its horizontality, the tool became a sign that all Masons stood on the same Level, regardless of origin or status.

Yet this equality was confined to the Lodge. Within its walls, there was no distinction between aristocrats and commoners. In France, this idea was given tangible form: all Master Masons wore swords — a privilege otherwise reserved for nobles. The intention was clear, but limited. Outside the Lodge, power relations remained unchanged.

Equality by Jean-François Janinet, 1793

It was only in the nineteenth century that some Freemasons, particularly in France, sought to extend this principle beyond the Lodge by engaging in political and social struggles. These initiatives sometimes divided the obediences: some saw them as the embodiment of a universal ideal, while others feared that excessive involvement might tilt the balance toward partisan causes. Still, these efforts showed that, for some, equality could not remain a mere ritual ornament; it demanded a concrete, if imperfect, expression in society.

Equality as a Work in Progress

What kind of equality can the Level represent? Certainly not one that ignores real differences. Inequality is not an injustice in itself; it is a fact. Human beings are not identical in nature, experience, or ability. Yet this observation alone is insufficient. In the Masonic tradition, the idea of equality does not deny these differences; it provides a framework in which everyone can be recognised, respected, and heard equally. Not because everything is the same, but because every person has value.

For Freemasons, achieving this equality is a continuous work. It does not come naturally. It constantly collides with selfishness, withdrawal, and pride. It has nothing to do with impersonal levelling that erases individuality. On the contrary, it is animated by a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that is chosen, desired, and practised.

Clearly, the Level does not signify the automatic equalisation of individuals, but rather the active search for common ground. This horizontality is not given; it must be built. It requires effort in language, active listening and attitude. Constant attention must be paid to imbalances — not to deny them, but to prevent them from governing relationships. The aim is not to erase the highs and lows, but to maintain a shared sense of direction, together, with an awareness of the horizon.

This is why the Level does not only refer to a relationship between human beings; it also proposes a way of being. It invites us to walk alongside others, recognising the value of each person in a simple and constant way — neither above nor behind them.

Conclusion: From the Inner Axis to the Common Path

The Level is not just a tool; it is a demand. It reminds the Fellowcraft that inner work alone is not enough: one must engage with the world while remaining anchored in what grounds us. The Entered Apprentice has discerned and tested the vertical axis; it is from this axis that the Fellowcraft can project the horizontal and open themselves to encounter.

This openness is neither vague nor haphazard. The Fellowcraft advances with purpose, holding fast to the axis he has discovered. He does not dissolve into the crowd nor lose himself in the bustle; he acts on a human scale, conscious of his place, and willing to collaborate towards a common goal.

Faithful to the vertical, attentive to the horizontal, he moves forward with rigour — without losing his axis, and never forgetting that no one walks alone.

By Ion Rajolescu, Editor-in-Chief of Nos Colonnes — commited to a Masonic voice that is just, rigorous, and alive.

To understand the Level, one must first return to the Perpendicular. Explore our article dedicated to this founding symbol.

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FAQ – The Level in Freemasonry

1. What is the primary meaning of the Level?

It represents the horizontal line — but one that only exists if held by the vertical. A Mason’s bond with the world is understood through the inner axis first discovered.

2. Why is the Level associated with the degree of Fellowcraft?

Because it continues the Entered Apprentice’s path. After finding his axis (the Plumb Line), the Fellowcraft learns to trace the horizontal — entering into relationship and acting in the world.

3. Does the Level signify absolute equality between individuals?

No. It does not erase differences of nature, background, or ability. It reminds us that each person deserves recognition and respect — not because all things are the same, but because every human being has intrinsic value.

4. How did the symbol of the Level appear in Masonic rituals?

From the eighteenth century onward, some rituals gave it a moral and social meaning: Equality between all members of the lodge, regardless of origin or status.

5. Did this equality also extend to society outside the lodge?

No. It remained limited to the lodge. Social distinctions persisted in the world. But in the nineteenth century, some Freemasons sought to extend this principle beyond the Temple, through political and social engagement.

6. How is the Level different from a simple tool of leveling?

It is not about erasing differences or imposing uniformity. It marks a fair line where each person can stand without domination or erasure.

7. Why is the Level linked to Brotherhood and Sisterhood?

Because the horizontal line only gains meaning when lived in encounter: mutual respect, attentive listening, and working together. The Level calls for a relational equality, sustained by fraternal will.

8. Is the Level a principle or a construction?

It is a construction. The equality it expresses is never acquired once and for all, but always to be built anew — against selfishness, pride, and withdrawal.

9. What is the universal reach of the symbol?

It transcends cultures and religions. The Level embodies an ideal of just relations between human beings, inspiring both inner work and collective commitment.

10. How can a Fellowcraft “keep to the Level” in daily life?

By holding his inner axis while opening himself to others. By walking at human height, neither withdrawn nor lost in the crowd, but building a shared path with others.

Read the full transcript of the episode here for those who prefer reading or want more detail.

Podcast: The Level in Freemasonry

In the Lodge, the Level is not just a simple tool.

It is a requirement.

It does not replace the Perpendicular; it rests upon it, and draws its strength from it. The Fellowcraft does not abandon the vertical axis discovered by the Entered Apprentice. On the contrary, he extends it. But now he must trace another line: the horizontal.

This changes everything.

It is no longer a matter of descending only into the most intimate depths of oneself. The arms must open, relationships must be formed, action must be taken. The human figure becomes a symbol: standing upright, arms outstretched, the man forms a living cross. An opening that remains faithful to its axis.

But this openness is not dispersion. It requires a centred heart, measured speech, and a posture that does not waver. The Fellowcraft learns to inhabit this intersection, not as a clash of opposing forces, but as a discreet harmony: the harmony of a man who acts without betraying his foundations.

Over the centuries, the Level has taken on another meaning. In its horizontal line, one saw the appearance of equality. In the Lodge, no one stood above, no one stood below. All met on the same plane, whether noble or commoner. Yet such equality does not impose itself naturally. It must be built. It requires listening, language, attention. It does not erase differences; it welcomes them, and offers a shared space where each person finds recognition.

That is the teaching of the Level. It does not simply say how to draw a line. It proposes a way of being. A way of walking alongside others. Not above them, not behind them, but side by side—in a simple and constant recognition: the recognition of each person’s value.

Thus the Fellowcraft advances, faithful to the vertical, attentive to the horizontal. He keeps his axis and discovers, step by step, that we never walk alone.