legend of Hiram Abiff (in most traditions)
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The legend of Hiram Abiff is a central Masonic allegory depicting the master builder of Solomon’s Temple whose dramatic death and fidelity to his trust symbolize moral integrity, sacrifice, and the hope of resurrection.
Aliases (1)
Statements (47)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
Masonic legend
→
allegory → ritual drama → |
| associatedWith |
Freemasonry
→
Solomon’s Temple → |
| category |
Western esoteric tradition
→
fraternal ritual narrative → |
| centralThemeOf |
Third Degree of Craft Freemasonry
→
|
| context |
Old Testament setting
→
construction of the First Temple at Jerusalem → |
| distinguishedFrom |
biblical account of Hiram of Tyre
→
|
| featuresCharacter |
Hiram Abiff
→
|
| featuresRole |
master builder
→
|
| hasFunction |
dramatic centerpiece of the Third Degree
→
esoteric teaching → moral instruction → |
| hasVariant |
different ritual versions in various Grand Lodges
→
|
| influenced |
Masonic dramatic presentations
→
Masonic funeral symbolism → |
| interpretedAs |
allegory of the perfect Mason
→
allegory of the soul’s immortality → |
| interpretedBy |
Masonic scholars
→
|
| languageOfPerformance |
varies by Masonic jurisdiction
→
|
| narrativeElement |
assault by three ruffians
→
burial and discovery of the body → dramatic death of Hiram Abiff → raising of the candidate → refusal to betray secrets → |
| relatedConcept |
Temple symbolism
→
builder symbolism → death and resurrection motif → mystery traditions → |
| symbolizes |
fidelity to a trust
→
hope of resurrection → initiation → loyalty under persecution → moral integrity → sacrifice → secrecy and trustworthiness → spiritual rebirth → steadfastness → triumph over death → |
| timeOfCodification |
18th century Masonic ritual development
→
|
| transmittedBy |
oral tradition in lodges
→
ritual catechisms → |
| usedIn |
Masonic initiation rituals
→
Master Mason degree → |
Referenced by (1)
| Subject (surface form when different) | Predicate |
|---|---|
|
Master Mason
→
|
symbolismIncludes |