Masonic rituals now with plastic bones?

Hi Folks,

I thought this is quite funny. Check out the link. It is in today's Sydney Daily Telegraph
Bare bones of Mason mystery

Do plastic bones work as good as real bones for some rituals?


[edit on 1-6-2005 by frozen_snowman]

I know many places still use real bones. I have no idea why that dude would turn in those bones, foolhardy move.

Originally posted by frozen_snowman
Do plastic bones work as good as real bones for some rituals?

Instead of simply posting a link, you should give a brief synopsis of the article. It discusses two human femurs found in a masonic lodge when cleaning out old rooms in it. TYhey were at one time used during masonic rituals as crossbones, which are used as symbols of mortality. They are no longer needed as masons now use plastic bones instead of the real thing. The articler raises the question if plastic bones have the same esoteric effect as real ones.

In my opinion, yes they do. They are nothing more than symbols, and as such ANYTHING can be used that could be representative of a skull and crossbones. Some jurisdictions use an image, some use a cloth cutout, and others use plastic or real skeleton bones. But what is important is not the actual object, but rather the interpretation of the symbolism the object alludes to.

The purpose of the emblems of mortality can only be apparent to a man that has undertaken a certain sublime Degree.

Whether plastic, wooden, metal, electrical, hologramatic, or real using the remains of some anti-Mason bowled over on the street*, it is the symbolic value that is critical to the impact of the ceremony.


* just kidding about anti-Mason homicide, it never happens on the street **


** just kidding about the "on the street" qualification concerning anti-Mason homicides.


[edit on 2-6-2005 by MaskedAvatar]

Thank for the comments so far.....
I thought that the "intent" is very important.
As it is to be Immortal - one has to know how to change his own DNA.
And that is only to be found - for the human intent - in human bones, not in plastic.
I do understand that it is only a symbol for that but I belive the fulfillment of that intent is lost.

Originally posted by frozen_snowman
As it is to be Immortal - one has to know how to change his own DNA.
And that is only to be found - for the human intent - in human bones, not in plastic.

What are you talking about??? We are referring to masonic rituals, I am not sure what kind of science-fiction fantasy you are thinking of..?

I think he's trying to say that human bones have far more spiritual significance than plastic ones.

Originally posted by Majestic12
I think he's trying to say that human bones have far more spiritual significance than plastic ones.

I wasn't able to deduce that from his post. In any case, I don't agree. I believe that since we are dealing with symbolism, whatever the vehicle is for that symbol makes no difference, as long as the meaning of the symbol is preserved.

I sort of deciphered what I could from the last line of his post...

Yes Majestic that is about right
- whatever that word "spiritual' stands for - but as it goes for my perception, all symbols have a meaning and a certain intent.
I just wanted to see different views on this topic.
I could also agree with sebatwerk that it does not matter what vehicle is used - and I got your feedback. thanks

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar
* just kidding about anti-Mason homicide, it never happens on the street **


** just kidding about the "on the street" qualification concerning anti-Mason homicides.

[edit on 2-6-2005 by MaskedAvatar]

You have to write anti Mason books, be a famous UK princess or a liberal 60's president for that to happen!
*man, I am not going to read any more Icke books, lol*

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar


Whether plastic, wooden, metal, electrical, hologramatic, or real using the remains of some anti-Mason bowled over on the street*, it is the symbolic value that is critical to the impact of the ceremony.

In the past there where specificly a "female" and "male" legbone used. That confused me a bit with the idea that only symbolism has it's value.
That's in my opinium odd to have plastic bones in both sexes

Originally posted by frozen_snowman
In the past there where specificly a "female" and "male" legbone used. That confused me a bit with the idea that only symbolism has it's value.
That's in my opinium odd to have plastic bones in both sexes

There's no symbolism in one having been male and the other female. That's just what the lodge in the article happened to have. I imagine the plastic ones are pretty generic.

The I.O.O.F. used to use paper-mache' (sp) skeletons as a representation of mortality...although some used real ones. Some of the fake ones (especially the skulls) that they make these days for medical purposes, etc. are pretty realistic. No need for the "real thing" anymore.

My High-School science lab had a real human skeleton as a teaching aid. I always found it a bit creepy sitting there thinking "that used to be somebody"

Originally posted by senrak

Originally posted by frozen_snowman
In the past there where specificly a "female" and "male" legbone used. That confused me a bit with the idea that only symbolism has it's value.
That's in my opinium odd to have plastic bones in both sexes

There's no symbolism in one having been male and the other female. That's just what the lodge in the article happened to have. I imagine the plastic ones are pretty generic.

The I.O.O.F. used to use paper-mache' (sp) skeletons as a representation of mortality...although some used real ones. Some of the fake ones (especially the skulls) that they make these days for medical purposes, etc. are pretty realistic. No need for the "real thing" anymore.

My High-School science lab had a real human skeleton as a teaching aid. I always found it a bit creepy sitting there thinking "that used to be somebody"

At my high school one of the biology teachers has a human brain in a jar.