Shield and Buckler
Our ceremonies make reference to how the right hand of the Great Architect acts as a shield and buckler, while in the portion of the Grand Master’s address I shared yesterday, he referred to that, Freemasonry at its ideal should be a shield and buckler to us all.
While these terms of phrase are like many others in Freemasonry, we kind of get what they mean when we hear them used, but in reality we really need to unveil their true meaning to understand and learn from the instruction this phrase is teaching. While I won’t ever attempt to speak for the or any Grand Master, I will share my own interpretation of his words.
In this Episode of Daily Masonic Progress:
What is a Shield and Buckler,
Why is The Great Architect’s right hand, specifically a shield and buckler,
Why & How is Freemasonry at its ideal a shield and buckler
What is a shield and buckler
Let’s first start with the obvious, we all know that a shield is a tool that is used to provide us protection from attacks by taking the force, impact and absorbing them so that it takes the injury instead of us. Shields also provide protection and security from danger and injury even when we are not being attacked, but exposed.
But what about a “Buckler?”. Looking at the 1828 Dictionary meaning, we learn that a buckler is a type of shield. Having already used the word shield, it wouldn’t make sense for our ceremonies to be saying “shield and shield”, that would be like saying chai and tea, as chai is hindi for tea. This is why the verb meaning of buckler is intended, where a buckler means to support and defend.
Therefore when we have the use of “shield and buckler”, it’s referring to the action of supporting and defending each other by being a buckler, and doing so with the use of a physical and metaphorical shield.
Why is Freemasonry at its ideal a shield and buckler
If we think about some of the lessons we are taught, specifically in the third degree, all Master Masons are instructed to defend a fellow Master Mason’s character in his absense as well as in his presence. It is in this instruction to actively defend, where the term buckler in intended for.
What our ceremonies are instructing us to do is have each others back and to defend each other from attacks; but also to protect each other from approaching danger as well as the potential for injury.
The obvious attacks come to mind that we need to protect our brothers from, such as when anti-masons try to harm the character of a fellow brother. But, it goes far beyond just defending them from being attacked. If we are to truly shield our brothers, this means we also need apply brotherly love and charity.
Say an older brother’s air conditioning is broken and he can’t afford to fix it because he is on a pension. If we are to truly be a shield and buckler for our brother, it means we must take action to protect him, if it means reaching out to a fellow mason who is an electrician to come and fix it, we should do so. We shouldn’t let a fellow brother be susceptible to medical harm because his house can’t be heated in the winter, or cooled in the summer.
While we can always point to charity and philanthropic actions, the true measure of us being a buckler for our brethren is in lodge. Afterall, we come to lodge to be refined from the rough to the perfect, which means we will naturally face challenges and setbacks along the way.
Don’t mistake that being a shield and buckler means to hide them away from these challenges or to make things easy, it is absolutely not the meaning or the intention because such ignore everything else in Masonry about being a labour.
Our brothers still need to face the challenges, they still need to face the danger, but they are not to face it alone. This means that we are to prepare them, to arm them for battle and to provide them the tools (the physical and metaphorical shield); and we are to be their buckler by deflecting and absorbing the attacks for them as they learn, develop and grow.
What this means is that, when someone critiscises them, you have their back and you defend them. However, let’s take this a little further shall we and interpret what the Grand Master was meaning by how Freemasonry should be a shield and buckler.
My interpretation is that the very practice and masonic environment, should be a shield and buckler where no brother is critiscising another for any reason, but defending him and affording him the protection to be able to learn and grow. This means they can make mistakes and we appreciate their attempt and encourage them to keep going. The world is horrible enough, with society beating us down, Lodge is that place where we can build ourselves.
Why is The Great Architect’s right hand, specifically a shield and buckler
Now, let's consider into why our ceremonies specifically refer to the right hand of the Great Architect as a shield and buckler.
In many traditions, the right hand symbolizes strength, action, and authority. By referring to the Great Architect's right hand, we're talking about divine power in action, not just some passive force.
But why the right hand specifically? Well, think about it. When you're wielding a shield, you're typically holding it with your left hand, leaving your right hand free for action - whether that's swinging a sword or lending a helping hand. The Great Architect's right hand as a shield and buckler suggests He is both protecting us and actively working in our lives.
This imagery also reminds us of the active nature of our faith (whichever faith each individual Brother may practice outside of the Lodge) and the practice of Freemasonry.
Just as the Great Architect's right hand is actively shielding and supporting, we too should be active in our Masonic journey and in supporting our brethren.
Moreover, the right hand in many cultures is associated with righteousness and justice. By invoking the Great Architect's right hand as our shield and buckler, we're aligning ourselves with these principles. It's a reminder that our protection comes not just from raw power, but from adhering to moral and ethical standards.
Lastly, this symbolism serves as a powerful metaphor for divine guidance. The right hand as a shield suggests that by following our Faith which is given to each Brother in whichever Volume of the Sacred Law is his, along with the principles of Freemasonry and aligning ourselves with the Great Architect's will, we're shielded from moral and spiritual harm. As a buckler, it implies that this same guidance actively supports us in our growth and development as Masons.
In essence, the Great Architect's right hand as a shield and buckler encapsulates the idea of divine protection, active support, moral guidance, and the power of righteous living all in one potent symbol. It's a constant reminder of the spiritual dimension of our craft and the active role we believe the Great Architect plays in our Masonic journey.-
In Freemasonry, the concept of a "shield and buckler" goes far beyond mere words. It's a powerful symbol that operates on multiple levels - from the divine to the fraternal, from the spiritual to the practical.
We've seen how a shield and buckler represent both protection and active support. This dual nature is reflected in the Great Architect's right hand, symbolizing divine protection and guidance. It's also embodied in the very essence of Freemasonry itself, where we're called to be shields and bucklers for one another.
Just as the Great Architect's right hand acts as a shield and buckler, so too should we embody these qualities in our lodges and in our lives. We're not just passive recipients of protection, but active participants in creating a supportive, growth-oriented environment for all our brethren.