In this paper I will attempt to illustrate, within the
framework of a brief synopsis, how the symbolism of the Vesica Piscis has been
utilized throughout the ages from the time of the Greeks, to the time of the
early Christian Gnostic biblical writers, and to the time of the medieval
Gothic Cathedral Builders (our early Operative Brothers) and how this principal
was implemented and used as a symbolic representation of its divine
communication of created life, of its mathematical, philosophic and spiritual implications
within the structure and relations to two other square roots that form the
basis of sacred geometry, And at most
its importance and use within modern Freemasonry. In no way is this a
complete or comprehensive subject. Many a tome has been written on or about
this subject, and many shall still be written, researched, and studied. For
these undertakings, I believe, are the true essence of infinite supernal
enlightenment.
The Vesica Piscis (also known as the ixthus or fish
bladder) is a most interesting geometric principal and concept. The Vesica
Piscis is a universal process, or dynamic
pattern, that functions independent of material form. It transcends the mundane
aspects of geometry into a vast universal principal that has existed outside of
the constraints of human consciousness, space, and time. One may call this
ratio simply “divine communication”. The simplicity of two conjoining circles
of the same radius intersecting in such a way that the center of each circle
lies on the circumference of the other to represent the manifestation of Unity,
Duality, and the Creation of Harmony, has seemingly been used throughout
history and geographic cultures.
Beyond the symbolic aspects that one may be aware of, there
are also mathematical ratios that pertain to this principal as well. For one,
the early Greeks used this to represent the symbolic Trinitarian value of the
gods Zeus, Apollo and Hermes, somewhat akin to the Christian concept of The
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This ratio was represented by what the Greeks
called Gemetria: a very early concept of a Cabbalistic sacred language whereby
the numbers are represented by letters and or words and phrases; the art of
Cabbalism has in itself been the subject of many, many volumes.
The Vesica Piscis may also be referred to as the “fish
bladder,” or the Measure of the Fish. One obvious reason is the way it visually
represents a simple idea of a fish. But when one looks in depth more, one will
see this is only a “surface” referral to a much
more involved and deeper aspect. Early Christian Gnostics and even
earlier followers of Pythagoras used a story concerning the concept of the
number 153 . Archimedes and Plato also wrote treatises concerning this matter
as well.
Archimedes explains in his work “On the measurement of the
circle” that the whole number ratio 153:265 accurately approximates the
irrational or incomeasurable ratio of the /3 as the measure of the fish.
Archimedes also explains that this approximation was well known to his contemporaries:
“It required no word of explanation at all.” This ratio 153:265 defines the
measurement of the rhombus in its height and length within the central point of
the vesica.
Plato also states in Timaeus: “But two things cannot be
rightly put together without a third; there must be some bond of union between
them. And the fairest bond is that which makes the most complete fusion of
itself and the things which it combines; and proportion is best adapted to
effect such a union. For whenever in any three numbers, whether cube or square,
there is a mean, which is to the last term what the first term is to it; and
again, when the mean is to the first term as the last term is to the mean --
then the mean becoming first and last, and the first and last both becoming
means, they will all of them of necessity come to be the same, and having
become the same with one another will be all one.”
When we look into
the Life of Pythagoras by Iamblichus, we see the story of how Pythagoras
was “going from Sybaris to Krotona. At the shore, he stood with some men fishing with nets; they were
still
hauling the nets weighed down with fish from the depths. He said he knew the
number of fish they had hauled in: 153. The men agreed to do what he ordered if
the number of fish was as he said. He ordered the fish to be set free, alive,
after they were counted accurately to total 153. Now it is said that in the
time the fish were out of the water being counted, none of them died while Pythagoras stood there. He paid
them the price of the fish and went to Krotona. They announced the deed
everywhere, having learned his name from some children”.
Secondly keeping this in mind, when reading the Gospel of
St. John, there is this story:
“After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the
disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he [himself]. 2 There
were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in
Galilee, and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon
Peter saith unto them, ‘I go a fishing’. They say unto him, ‘We also go with
thee’. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night
they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the
shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto
them, ‘Children, have ye any meat?’ They answered him, ‘No’. 6 And he said unto
them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.’ They
cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of
fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, ‘It is the
Lord.’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher’s
coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And
the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land,
but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon
then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, ‘Bring of the fish which ye have
now caught.’ 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes,
an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the
net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, ‘Come [and] dine.’ And none of the
disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus
then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is
now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he
was risen from the dead.”
There are many similarities amongst these two stories,
however the common thread is the number 153.
These are just some instances were we see this principal
put in to an allegorical situation.
Robert
Lawlor states-
“ that
the Vesica Piscis is a representation of the intermediate realm which partakes
of both the unchanging principal, the eternal and the ephermeral [sic]. Human consciousness thus functions as the
mediator, balancing the two complementary poles of consciousness.”
Meaning
that the one circle represents the universal consciousness, which is the Sun’s
unchanging archetypical realm of reality and unification. The other circle
represents the Empirical Consciousness, signifying the Lunar’s changing realm
of actuality and pluralism. Now when these two circles are conjoined in such
the manner that the vesica is formed, what we get at the central part is the
representation of the Balancing of Consciousness which is the proportional
mediation of human consciousness.
It may also be considered in its mathematical ratio to be
symbolic in a variety of ways, the Vesica Piscis is the /3, the Proportion
1:1.73205. In conjunction with the /2 and the /5, we can get a better image of
its interplay within the creative manifestation, and an idea how early Master
Builders and philosophic thinking utilized these principles. I will briefly
explain the function of these three ratios and show how they work together with
each other and the Vesica Piscis.
-The /2 is
the process in which the square is divided by its diagonal, and when increased
by the ratio:
a/b: b/c:
c/d: d/e : e/f etc... we find that the
increase does so by the natural progression of the Golden Mean.
This is
thought of as the Formative.
-The /3
which is known as the ratio of the Vesica Piscis, and it appears in two
configurations. The first is the overlapping of two circles of the same
diameter creating the “fish bladder.” The second is the process of the cube
divided by its diagonal. Both configurations are known as the Generative.
-The /5 is the proportion that opens the way for
the relationship of the Golden proportion itself. This is known as a2 +b2 =c2
and referred to as the Regenerative, it transcends two worlds indicated by
cutting a diagonal through the upper and lower squares of a double cube: The
World of the Supernal and the World of mundane. It is also referred to as the
Pythagorean theorem.
It should
also be noted that these three square roots also give way to the creation of
the 5 Platonic solids.
It is easy
(in a paradoxal way) to see that this is an extremely complex system of
symbolism and philosophy, yet its principal functions are set in the most
simplest of terms.
These principles were used constantly in the design and
structure of most, if not all, sacred structures of antiquity. The
particular era of interest of this paper, referred to as Gothic, featured
churches that were built to appear as if they were “reaching for the sky,” as a symbolic expression of
religious aspiration (a stretching toward Heaven).
The use of
these symbols & principles were used by builders as much for spiritual
teaching as for the transmission of early Operative secrets. The early
Cathedral Builders made particular use of the Vesica Piscis in the construction
of Gothic Cathedrals due to its Christian esoteric aspects and symbology, these
builders were closely intertwined with hermetical, alchemical and theological
disciplines as well. It was to be considered the outright expression of science
and philosophy.
The Cathedral was to represent the vesicle in which man
entered the symbolic representation of Christ. It also used symbolism
constituted of a universal language which we know of as Sacred Geometry.
Henceforth when taking notice of the either the Main portal, lancet archways,
entry ways, particular vaulted ceilings or looking at the design and structure
of stained glassed windows we will see that most are indeed in the form of the Vesica Piscis; this was to symbolify that
one was entering the manifestation of Heaven on Earth, or in other terms that
the Cathedral was the vehicle between the two realms of Heaven and Earth. It
also denoted the geometric progression of the Formative, Generative, and
Regenerative aspects within natural development.
Simply entering the Cathedral was also considered to be of
an initiatory path. These symbols were considered to be a secret language
hidden from the profane and uninitiated and were considered as something that
could not be readily expressed, but experienced. “The medieval Freemason ,
the Builder of Cathedrals, never viewed himself as anything more than the image
of an infinitely more elevated work: the temple of the Eternal One who dwells
within Man, the heavenly Jerusalem, symbol of the universality of all Men
belonging to all times and races, temples of immortality and perfection.”
This is precisely what the Vesica was to so fluidly represent throughout these
magnificent creations. These Men we all have read about, studied and admired
were our first Brothers and throughout history Freemasonry has kept these ideas
and practices alive with its strict adherence to our Landmarks, Traditions and
Ritual.
Although we no longer go out and build these great
cathedrals, we use these symbols for a far more noble purpose and that is to
build our characters and souls into something as grand and dedicated to
the Supreme Being. These symbols are
still used in the Lodge today. Some are more obvious than others. But if we
look more closely in to these areas we will find that they are there. Our
Ancient Brethren were true Masters.
As time passed and Operative Masonry became Speculative
Masonry, the symbols were implemented into the Ritual and Lodge and if we look
in the early Temple buildings we can still see this symbolism. I believe that
not only is the outer physical structure based on these geometric principals,
but also the manner in which we conduct ourselves in Open Lodge.
In Speculative Masonry, which has its basis in geometry,
and in Operative Masonry, I will try to show how the interplay of these symbols
and proportions are an integral part as well to our craft.
The use of the /2 , /3 and
/5 are applied within the setup of the Lodge Room, and represents to
what I believe the points of the stations of the Principal Officers. Such as
the W.M., S.W, J.W. S.D. & J.D., as well as the central placement of the
Alter amongst the Double Cube in which the Lodge Room represents.
The W.M. and S.W. seem to sit in the representation of the Ö3.
This is the ratio of the Vesica Piscis and defined as such by being the
Formative. This is interesting because Webster’s defines Formative as: “giving
or capable of giving form”, or “characterized by formative effects or
formation”
The S.D seems to play a double role, being involved in the
both the Ö2 in concordance with the J.W. and the Ö5 in
concordance with the J.D. These being known as the Generative and Regenerative,
the Office of the S.D. seems to be the one particular Office that has the most
interaction with all the other Officers combined.
The S.D. also seems to have the most movement on the floor
as well. Another interesting point being is that the Ö5 is
defined as the sq. root that “transverses two worlds: The World of Spirit and
the World of mundane.” A definition of transverse is “made at right angles
to the long axis of the body.” This may or may not allude to the
Initiatory processes that the S.D. performs (interacts) with that of the
candidate in bringing him (the candidate) from profane into a full-fledged
Brother. It also seems to have the same affect to that of the J.D. in his
interaction with the Tyler and his Duties outside the doors of the Lodge.
Being
that the Lodge Room is made of an “Oblong Square” or double cube, these ratios
seem to fit absolutely naturally in to this form. And when looked at in an active
perspective I seemed to notice these things happening in real time. It was
almost as if these things became obvious to my particular attention.
In light of all this I felt it necessary to further my
study in this particular field to find and speculate on these deeper meanings
of our Ancient and truly wonderful Craft. I often ask to myself “How is it that these men of bygone days were
so adept in this knowledge and were so successful at keeping this wisdom alive
through so much time and adversity?” This is what truly amazes me. There is an
old saying that no matter what, the truth will always reveal itself even if it
is gone forever. It verifies the concept that Paracelsus wrote upon of
Palingenesis, meaning that the human soul does not die with the body but is
born again in new incarnations. Very much in the way that Paracelsus noted, by
reconstructing plants from their own ashes, the Alchemists proved not only that
consciousness and intelligence survive the annihilation of the physical
structure, but they retain the individuality formerly possessed and remain
organized forces.
In conclusion I will say that the Vesica Piscis along with
the Ö2 and the Ö5 also known to us as the
Pythagorean theorem are integral parts of our life and Tradition. They exists
outside the realms of time and space and silently perform their functions
throughout the universe, ever so being the proof that the Great Architect of
the Universe (GAOTU) is everywhere around us, with us, and most importantly
within us.
The early
Greeks knew this, the Gnostic Christian writers knew this, and the Hebraic
Cabbalists as well. Our most Honoured
Brothers, the Builders of the great Gothic Cathedrals: the Operative Masons,
knew this and set this knowledge in to the stone and into our hearts and minds
forever, to be viewed and marveled at, and now has led us unto what I believe
to be an age of contemplation and reflection upon these many subjects, because
we can surely see that this knowledge has transcended time and cultures alike,
and we as Speculative Masons must continue this time honoured Tradition in
perhaps a different way, to protect and project our Craft into future
generations as well.
Thomas Monteforte
September 16, 2006
Southern Arizona Research Lodge No 2 Quarterly Meeting
Temple Lodge 51 Oracle AZ
Archimedes
“On the
Measurement of the Circle”
Iamblichus “Life of Pythagoras”
John ch. 21:1
(King James Version)
Robert Lawlor “Sacred Geometry” 1982
wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_architecture
Paul Naudon The Secret History of Freemasonry. Inner
Traditions, p.273, 1991
Websters Collegiate Dictionary , 1946
Websters Collegiate Dictionary , 1946