Truth in Freemasonry: between personal quest and symbolic heritage

Truth holds a central place in Masonic ritual and symbolic thought. Yet it is difficult to define within Freemasonry, a non-dogmatic tradition practised across a diversity of obediences and rites. Rather than presenting truth as a single, immutable statement, Freemasonry seeks, questions, and experiences it through the work of the lodge. This pursuit is part of an ongoing process of inquiry, where initiation and the study of symbols foster personal growth. In this way, truth in Freemasonry becomes both a journey and an ideal, continually inviting us to reflect on its meaning.

1. Truth or Error ?

We may begin with a straightforward definition: truth is the opposite of error. What is true is not false, and human intelligence can distinguish between the two through the exercise of reason. In this view, truth does not carry a fixed, predetermined content; rather, it is a fundamental category of thought and knowledge.

This notion is vividly reflected in the initiation ritual of the Entered Apprentice degree. Error is portrayed by the blindfold covering the candidate’s eyes. The blindfold is more than a physical barrier — it symbolises ignorance and prejudice, and, more broadly, anything that prevents us from perceiving reality clearly. The reception of the Light — the ceremony’s culminating moment — signifies the removal of this veil, not as mystical enlightenment, but as the restoration of discernment. It marks the passage from a state of confusion to the possibility of accessing truth.

The Blindfolded Candidate

In this sense, truth is within reach of human intelligence through research, observation, and experimentation. This is evident in scientific truth, which rests on hypotheses verified through testing. This Cartesian approach accepts as true only what has been proven valid.

Freemasons, non-dogmatic by principle, often embrace this critical stance in both their secular lives and their Masonic work. The ritual itself reminds newly initiated members that their quest will involve methodically examining facts, confronting ideas, and questioning certainties. Here, truth is never fixed once and for all; it is the outcome of an arduous intellectual journey, sustained by doubt and nourished by dialogue.

2. Truth or truths ?

If truth is understood as a category of thought, it is logical to admit that it can exist in the plural. Scientific, historical, legal, and personal truths do not rest on the same methods or criteria of validation. One might even argue that there are as many truths as there are fields of study, since each phenomenon can be understood rightly or wrongly. These truths are, by nature, evolving. What was once considered indisputable may be revised—or even overturned—by new evidence. The history of science abounds with examples of once-established theories being abandoned in favour of more accurate data. Truth, therefore, is not static; it is a living construct shaped by time and the advancement of knowledge.

Truth, The Iconologia of Cesare Ripa, wood engraving after Cesare d’Arpino, 1618

Freemasonry is no stranger to this dynamic. Its own history is regularly revised as new documentary evidence comes to light. For example, it was long accepted that the Grand Lodge of London was founded in 1717, a date that had become a canonical reference. Yet meticulous research by historians Andrew Prescott and Susan Sommers has shown that the actual founding took place in 1721. While this correction does not diminish the symbolic weight of the earlier date, it serves as a reminder that historical truth is constructed, verified, and sometimes amended. In the lodge, this plurality of truths takes the form of diverse viewpoints coexisting in a space devoted to dialogue. Masonic work does not seek to impose a single, definitive truth; rather, it encourages the comparison of interpretations to refine collective understanding. The truths we build together are not absolutes—they are milestones along a path each of us follows in our own way.

3. Absolute truth

Beyond the notion of multiple and evolving truths lies a more ambitious concept: Absolute Truth. This is not merely the alignment of an idea with observable reality, but the existence of an ultimate reality that stands apart from human perception — universal, immutable, and fundamental, whether understood in philosophical, metaphysical, or theological terms.

Faithful to its non-dogmatic nature, Freemasonry does not deliver an institutional answer to this question. The rituals do not define Absolute Truth; they invite each initiate to explore it according to their own sensibilities, culture, and convictions. Still, Masonic history and symbolism bear the imprint of their Western, Judeo-Christian heritage. The figure of the Supreme Being — the Grand Architect of the Universe — remains a central symbol, offered as a framework that each is free to interpret.

The Ancient of Days, William Blake, 1794

For some, the Grand Architect is a transcendent being, source and guarantor of absolute truth. For others, it is a philosophical abstraction, an emblem of the world’s intelligible order or universal harmony. This plurality of readings reflects the Masonic spirit: welcoming diverse approaches without imposing one. Ultimately, the question of absolute truth touches on the meaning and order underlying the universe. Whether conceived as a divine principle, a rational structure, or an unfathomable mystery, it remains a stimulus for reflection. Freemasonry does not claim to seize it entirely, but it offers a privileged space to explore it — through symbols, rites, and the dialogue of the lodge.

4. Masonic truth ?

Does a specifically Masonic truth exist, distinct from scientific, historical, or philosophical truths? At first glance, no. Freemasonry is a human creation, steeped in the same questions that preoccupy humanity as a whole. While its methods, symbols, and rituals are unique, the categories of thought it employs are not fundamentally different from those found elsewhere.

Its specificity does not lie in claiming possession of a superior truth, but in its particular way of seeking it. This quest unfolds within a structured, symbolic, and ritual framework, where learning is progressive. The symbolism of the tools, the stages of initiation, and the collective work in the lodge together create an environment that fosters self-examination, openness to other perspectives, and the acceptance of doubt as a necessary driver of knowledge.

In this sense, “Masonic” truth cannot be reduced to a formula or set down as a creed. It is an attitude, a shared journey, a discipline of both mind and heart. It calls for intellectual rigour and fraternity, lucidity and humility — a lifelong practice rather than a definitive conclusion.

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

Want to deepen your reflection on truth and initiation?Discover our Chamber of Reflection collection, featuring ritual items designed to inspire introspection and the search for meaning.

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FAQ – Truth in Freemasonry

1. What is truth in Freemasonry?

Truth in Freemasonry is both a personal and collective quest to better understand oneself, others, and the world. It is not reduced to a single statement but built through dialogue, symbolic work, and Lodge practice.

2. Why is truth central in Masonic rituals?

In Masonic rituals, truth symbolises clarity and lucidity, gained after removing ignorance and prejudice. It is notably represented by the reception of Light during initiation.

3. Does Freemasonry impose a single truth?

No. Freemasonry is non-dogmatic and sets no official truth. Each member is free to interpret its symbols and teachings according to personal beliefs.

4. How do Freemasons seek truth?

The search for truth in Freemasonry involves studying symbols, exchanging ideas in Lodge, engaging in personal reflection, and staying open to diverse perspectives.

5. Is there an absolute truth in Freemasonry?

Freemasonry does not define an absolute truth. The symbol of the Grand Architect of the Universe allows for multiple interpretations, offering a framework for individual reflection.

6. Does Masonic truth change over time?

Yes. Historical discoveries and new research may revise certain certainties, such as the date of the creation of the Grand Lodge of London.

7. Is Masonic truth different from scientific truth?

Yes. Scientific truth is based on reproducible evidence, while Masonic truth is more symbolic and introspective. Both approaches can complement each other.

8. What role does doubt play in the search for Masonic truth?

Doubt is seen as an essential driving force, encouraging Freemasons to challenge certainties and achieve deeper understanding.

9. Do Masonic symbols have a direct link to truth?

Yes. Symbols such as Light, the square, or the plumb line invite reflection on truth and serve as tools for instruction.

10. How can Masonic truth be applied in daily life?

By cultivating sincerity, listening, and dialogue, while maintaining intellectual and moral discipline developed in Lodge.

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

Podcast – Truth and Freemasonry: Between Reason, Symbol and Dialogue

Truth in Freemasonry… It is a phrase that appears often in rituals and in symbolic work. Yet defining this truth is far from straightforward. Freemasonry claims to be non-dogmatic and is expressed through a great diversity of obediences and traditions. It does not propose a single, unchanging statement. Instead, it invites exploration, questioning, and an experience lived within the lodge. This quest unfolds through initiation and the study of symbols, in a personal and shared progression. Thus, truth in Freemasonry appears less as a fixed destination than as a path… and an ideal.

We might begin with a simple definition: truth is what stands opposed to error. What is true is not false, and human intelligence, through the exercise of reason, can distinguish one from the other. In this view, truth has no fixed content; it is first and foremost a category of thought and knowledge. This idea is illustrated in the initiation ritual of the Entered Apprentice degree. Error is symbolised by the blindfold covering the candidate’s eyes. That blindfold is not merely a piece of cloth: it represents ignorance, prejudice, everything that prevents one from seeing clearly. When the moment of receiving Light arrives, that veil is lifted. This is not a mystical illumination, but the restoration of the ability to discern.

Truth, then, becomes accessible through research, observation, and experimentation. Scientific truths are a good example: they are only recognised once they have been tested and proven. More generally, the Freemason works in this critical spirit, both in daily life and in lodge. The ritual itself reminds the new initiate that this quest will involve examining facts, confronting ideas, and questioning certainties.

If truth is a category of thought, we must accept that it can exist in the plural. Scientific truths, historical truths, legal truths, personal truths… each responds to its own methods and criteria. In reality, there are as many truths as there are fields of inquiry. These truths evolve over time. What seemed beyond doubt yesterday may be challenged tomorrow. The history of science is full of such examples, as old certainties give way to new knowledge.

Freemasonry follows this same dynamic. Its history is rewritten as new discoveries are made. For example, it was long believed that the Grand Lodge of London was founded in seventeen seventeen. Research by Andrew Prescott and Susan Sommers suggests that this foundation should instead be dated to seventeen twenty-one. In the lodge, this multiplicity of truths takes the form of diverse opinions. Masonic work does not aim to impose a single truth, but to confront different perspectives in order to refine common understanding.

Beyond these multiple truths lies the question of Truth with a capital “T”: an ultimate reality, independent of our perception. Such absolute Truth might be philosophical, metaphysical, or theological. Freemasonry, faithful to its non-dogmatic stance, does not define this ultimate truth. It leaves each member free to consider it according to personal convictions. Yet its history still bears the imprint of its Western, Judeo-Christian origins. The symbol of the Grand Architect of the Universe illustrates this: some see in it a transcendent being, others a philosophical abstraction.

The question ultimately touches on meaning and the order that governs the universe. Freemasonry does not claim to possess it, but offers a space in which one can draw closer to it through symbols, rites, and dialogue. So, does a specifically Masonic truth exist? Probably not. Freemasonry is a human endeavour, sharing the same questions as all of humanity. Its methods, symbols, and rituals are its own, but the categories of thought it employs are not different from those of other traditions.

Its specificity lies in how it approaches the search for truth: within a ritual framework, progressing by degrees, using the symbolism of tools, and working collectively in the lodge. Masonic truth is not a dogma, but an attitude, an intellectual and moral discipline, a shared path. Freemasonry does not raise its truth as a banner. It aims to be a laboratory of humanity, a place where exchange and lived experience allow each person to move closer to what they hold to be true.