Encyclopedia Masonica

The name or designation assumed by initiates of the Illuminati, the members of the Rite of Strict Observance, and of the Royal Order of Scotland, was called the Order Name, or the Characteristic Name (see Eques). The Illuminati selected classical names, of which the following are specimens: the real surnames at the left, the assumed ones at the right:

Weishaupt .............. Knigge ............... Bode Nicolai ................... Westenreider ...... Constanza Zwack .................... Count Savioli ..... Busche Ecker ...................... Spartacus ........... Philo Amelius .................. Lucian ............... Pythagoras Diomedes ............... Cato ................... Brutus Bavard Saladin

The members of the Strict Observance formed their Order Names in a different way. Following the custom of the combatants in the old tournaments each called himself an Eques, or Knight of some particular object; as, Knight of the Sword, Knight of the Star, etc. Where one belonged both to this Rite and to that of Illuminism, his Order Name in each was different. Thus Bode, as an Illuminatus, was, we have seen, called Amelius, but as a Strict Observant', he was known as Eques a lilio convallium, or Knight of the Lily-of-the-Valleys. The following examples may suffice. A full list in Thory's Acta Latomorum.

Hund, Eques ab ense=Knight of the Sword. Jacobi, Eques à stellâ=Knight of the Star. Count Bruhl, Eques ä gladio ancipiti=Knight of the Double-edged Sword. Bode, Eques à lilio convallium=Enight of the Lily-of-the Valleys. Beyerle, Edges a fasciâ=Knight of the Girdle. Berend, Eques â septem stellis=Knight of the Seven Stars Decker, Eques â plasula=Knight of the Curtain. Lavater, Eques ab Æculapio=Knight of Esculapius. Seckendorf, Eques a capricorno = Knight of Capricorn Prince Charles Edward, Eques d sole aureo=Knight of the Golden Sun. Zinnendorf, Eques a lapide nigro=Knight of the Black Stone.

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.