The Symbolism of the Ruffians

Lecture by WM Deidric Cave, DBA

To fully understand the significance of the ruffians, I believe we need to look at their specific action; but first, we need to remember that Hiram Abiff symbolizes the human soul. The work that he was engaged with in our ritual, the construction of King Solomon’s temple, is a major part of the lessons taught to the life of a Freemason.

As our ritual teaches us, the ruffians with their actions prevented Hiram from completing his work on Solomon’s temple. As we consider what the Ruffians symbolize, it is easy to look no further than the atrocity of their crime. The crime that these three brothers conspired to commit was to unlawfully obtain secrets they were not deserving of. This sheds some light on the significance of their presence in our ritual.

When we contemplate Hiram’s significance, the symbolism and significance of the Ruffians’ actions become clear. Their actions, along with the implements with which they carry out their horrid conspiracy, maybe have a deeper meaning. Together through their actions, the Ruffians conspire to destroy liberty.

Jubela strikes at the throat of Hiram Abiff thereby affecting freedom of speech: or the freedom to communicate opinions and ideas without fear of persecution or censorship.

Jubelo strikes at that heart of Hiram Abiff thereby affecting freedom of conscience: or the freedom of religious choice and morality, the source of that Divine Light that guides us.

Finally with the fatal blow, Jubelum strikes at the head of Hiram Abiff thereby affecting freedom of thought: or the freedom to hold a thought or viewpoint independent of other’s viewpoints.

In the words of Albert Pike, “The Ruffians represent the principals of absolute monarchy, the fixed and rigid dogma of the church, and the mob-minded mentality prevalent during this time.” They work together to destroy liberty, without which no progress can be made. As the Ruffians with their actions prevented Hiram from completing his work on Solomon’s temple, so too would the loss of our freedom of speech, conscience, and thought cause our work on our spiritual temple to come to a sudden halt.

In imitation of Hiram Abiff’s example, we must keep the principals of Freemasonry in our hearts in the face of our symbolic Ruffians and their attacks. Not only protecting our opinions, our consciences, and our thoughts against those who may seek to influence them negatively and for their own personal benefit, but also ensuring that the mysteries of Freemasonry remain unimpaired for future generations of Masons.