The Mosaic Floor

Today in Masonic History we discuss the Mosaic Floor.

The Mosaic Floor is an important part of masonic lore.

Often in artwork with Masonic symbols in it, there appears a white and black checkered floor. This is often referred to as a the Mosaic floor or the Mosaic pavement.

In some descriptions it is based on the main floor of King Solomon's Temple. Although some dismiss this, there are descriptions making it clear the floor of the temple is made of wood and it's elevated. The argument is stone was not used for an elevated floor. While this is most likely a true argument, it does not take into account a Mosaic floor does not have to be built of stone, merely one of multiple colors. It makes it difficult to prove or disprove what the floor was made of since no archaeological evidence of the Temple of Solomon exists and any written accounts of the temple were most likely done by scribes in the court of Solomon, who had no knowledge of the engineering which went into the building of the temple.

The explanation Freemasons use is the black and white floor of King Solomon's Temple is representative of the good and evil in every man's life. This explanation attempts to explain the reasoning for the floor. It tends to make the concept of the Mosaic floor a more modern creation, at least in it's philosophy. Scribes most likely understood the basic concept of good and evil. Since this fact is not related in the descriptions of the temple it is less likely it was the reasoning for the floor. Again there is no archaeological evidence for the Temple of Solomon so it is hard to say whether it is lost knowledge or a modern interpretation.

Regardless of whether it is meant as a direct representation of the floor in Solomon's Temple or not, the philosophical explanation is what is most important to the Freemason. The reminder good and evil is present in all of our lives is taken as a reminder and as a warning. A reminder there are always those who, by design or by accident, bring unhappiness or "evil" into our daily lives and to be vigilant to those threats and concerns. It reminds us not to just avoid them, but also temper our reaction to those events and actions. It warns us we are just as capable of inflicting unhappiness or "evil" on others.

Freemasons remember it is our own deeds coloring the Mosaic floor. We all have good days and bad days, the goal is to always have the one extra white square balancing our life to the good and not the bad. We keep this balance by how we respond when "evil" enters our life and whether we choose by our actions to insert "evil" into the lives of others.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.