The Masonic Meaning of the Anchor and Ark

In the Blue Lodge, we learn the profound lessons of Freemasonry that cement our passion for seeking greater wisdom and self-improvement. A man can spend many years applying the philosophies of the first three degrees to his daily life, and part of the Scottish Rite, NMJ’s effort in helping members “Journey On” includes reflecting on the fundamental teachings of the Blue Lodge. For example, the Master Mason degree, which is the culmination of a Mason's journey through the foundational stages of the fraternity, is rich with symbolism worth revisiting time and time again.

The ark and anchor are among the many symbols encountered in the third degree. Expanding our knowledge of their symbolism in the Craft offers us a deeper understanding of how they guide us as Freemasons. 

The Anchor as a Grounded Life

The anchor is a Christian symbol of hope, patience, and permanence. Initially absent from early Masonic texts, the anchor symbol emerged in the same time period as the Grand Lodge of England. During this era, Freemasons began examining the "postdiluvian world," or the events that unfolded following the flood of Noah (aka the Deluge) in the biblical Book of Genesis. 

One likely reference from which our Masonic ancestors likely borrowed this symbol is Hebrews 6:19: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

Masonic historian Brother Albert Mackey explained the meaning of the anchor regarding the degree in his first volume of An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry :

“The primitive Christians looked upon life as a stormy voyage, and glad were the voyagers when it was done, and they had arrived safe in port. Of this the anchor was a symbol, and when their brethren carved it over the tomb, it was to them an expression of confidence that he who slept beneath had reached the haven of eternal rest."

The Ark as a Safe Harbor

The biblical Noah’s Ark is central to the Master Mason degree. Brother Mackey posited that to complete the symbolism of the anchor, it needed a natural connection with a ship. His same passage addressing the anchor also addressed the ark, continuing, “the latter image has also been adopted as a symbol of the voyage of life.”

The meaning of the ark in the third degree is well explained by Masonic scholars. It serves as a reminder that there is always a refuge from the dangers that life poses and that no matter the dangers, remaining steadfast in what is right ensures that all will be well in the end.

A Culmination but Not an End

Together, the ark and anchor represent the culmination of the lessons imparted in the Blue Lodge. By the time a Mason is raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, they are expected to have internalized these lessons and be a willing embodiment of the virtues of the Craft. The ark and anchor encapsulate the perseverance, hope, and integrity that are central to being a Freemason.

“Hence, in the third degree, whose teachings all relate to life and death, "the ark and anchor are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematical of that divine ark which safely wafts as over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary shall find rest. Such is the language of the lecture of the third degree, and it gives all the information that is required on the esoteric meaning of these symbols.” – Brother Mackey

Freemasonry encourages lifelong learning and posits that the more a Mason studies the degrees, the more he can uncover new insights and understandings. The ark and anchor are not just ornamental; they embody the stability and moral fortitude that every Master Mason is encouraged to cultivate.