By W∴B∴ Ben Zaayer

The point-within-a-circle, or circumpunct, is a ubiquitous symbol in Masonry. It is, perhaps, one of the best symbols demonstrating each brother’s purpose within the fraternity. Like the cabletow and, to a lesser extent, the twenty-four- inch gauge, it is a symbol of our capability, our capacity, or perhaps our limitations. It represents that, to be successful, masons must keep themselves circumscribed, or within due bounds, with themselves, their brethren, and the Supreme Architect of the Universe. A mason must be able to control his actions to improve himself, and as such, the point-within- a-circle best represents the path to self-improvement.

The ritual explains that the point represents an individual brother. The circle, the boundary of his duty to God and man beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices, or interests. The circle is embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines representing St. John the Baptist and St. John Evangelist and upon the vertex rests the Holy Scriptures which points out the whole duty of man. In going around this circle we necessarily touch upon these two lines as well as upon the book of holy scriptures and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should materially err.

As stated previously, a Mason needs to be in control of his actions. This can be what we mean when we say, “subdue the passions” or “act upon the square.” This could also apply to a Mason’s finances; living within our means is a key life skill to have. This could also apply to the lesson of the 24-inch gauge. We must be judicious with our time, if we do not take care of ourselves and our family, how can we expect to devote our “eight hours for the service of God and distressed worthy brother?” It also makes sense to have the Book of Holy Scriptures upon the vertex for, as we learned, we should not be doing anything great or important without first invoking the blessing of Deity. There is nothing greater, or more important, than becoming a better man and we should regularly seek the blessing and wisdom of Deity as we pursue this goal.

The Holy Saints John and their masonic meaning can be a discipline and study unto itself, however for the purposes of explaining the two perpendicular parallel lines, they collectively represent unimpeachable character and inflexible loyalty. A brother need not be Christian to appreciate the lives led by these two larger-than-life Saints. What better guideposts on either side of the journey could we ask for? Expanding on the Holy Saints John, Saint John the Baptist Day occurs on June 24 and Saint John the Evangelist day on December 27 . With these two dates so close to the spring and winter solstices, the two perpendicular parallel lines are also reminiscent of the cycles of the seasons. As we pull the entire picture together we find a path that encourages each Mason to make his own improvements by staying in control of his thoughts, words, and actions as he lives life under the blessing of God and, through the cycles of his life, should he stray left or right, he has two character references on either side of him to propel him forward and back into the good graces of Deity. A very powerful symbol.

However, the point-within-a-circle is not a new symbol, or even one strictly of Masonic origin. The point-within-a-circle dates back far before King Solomon and has been seen in ancient cave drawings. The circumpunct was originally used by ancient astronomers to capture the occultation of stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies (think of the sundial, as an example). The point was made with plumb-bob which formed a perfect vertical and captured the occultation with precision. As you know, we as Masons look to the plumb as a symbol of rectitude of life and conduct. While this might not be a direct connection to the Masonic symbol, it is an interesting facet, and lends an impression that the point does not simply exist, but is a vertical required to be made with a plumb. Without the plumb-bob, the point would not be a perfect vertical and the precision of the circumpunct would be therefore compromised. The point therefore, also represents a perfect vertical to which we must first aspire before the tools of Masonry can be fully effective.

A recent piece from brother Jim Whitfield of Indianola lodge #450 in Mississippi on this topic summed up this symbol in a very succinct manner. Brother Jim presents the following three figures and presents the question of how the circumpunct can help us square our actions.

Brother Jim writes:

Referring to Figure 1 in the attached illustration, if we choose a point anywhere on the circle, then connect that point to any two other points from a line denoting the diameter of the circle, the angle formed at the chosen point will always be 90 degrees - a perfect square. Masonically speaking, if our passions and prejudices do not exceed the bounds of the circle, our actions will necessarily always be “on the Square”. What if our passions and prejudices do go beyond our intended bounds? Referring to Figure 2, consider a tangent that lies just outside of the circle, but crosses the parallel lines can still prove a square. A line drawn from the center to that tangent line will intersect at 90 degrees. We may then deduce that if our passions exceed our circumscription, we may lean to our Brethren on the left and the right and their rectitude of conduct to keep us “on the Square”. But what of the negative space? That area contained within the circle; what exists there? Our work describes the circle as that boundary which we should never permit our passions to betray us. Passions may be anger, but they may also include things which bring us pleasure - even Masonry itself. If we never exceed our due bounds, are we truly acting “on the Square”? Drawing your attention to Figure 3, I submit that in staying in the “safe space” inside the circle, we may find that our actions are not truly squared. Picking any point inside the circle, then extending lines to points crossing the diameter, we find that we are incapable of creating a figure that equals 90 degrees - we are unable to prove a square. If we play it safe and don’t speak up for the weak and downtrodden, or if we fail to take action when doing the right thing is needed, we’re staying inside the circle and therefore not “on the Square”. Mississippi’s ritual states that we have a duty to relieve the distressed, to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds. If we choose to look the other way, if we choose not to get involved when others do the same, if we do not push our passions to their edge, are we truly practicing “on the Square”? Simple geometry suggests we may not. Walk on that circle, then your actions will always be on the Square.

In his explanation, Brother Jim presents the circle not only as a boundary, but a goal to achieve. Brother Jim suggests that we should “push our passions to the edge” and the anything less is not “on the square.” This approach is very pragmatic and provides a practical approach to the meanings highlighted earlier. Instead of the perpendicular lines representing the Holy Saints John, in Brother Jim’s example, they represent the brethren around us, on whose character we may rely if we over-extend the boundary of our duty. If some of this sounds familiar, it should. As we learned with the Ashlars, no mason was ever made without the assistance of his brethren. It only makes sense then, that this powerful symbol would represent the fraternity as a whole in some manner, which I believe Brother Jim sums up quite eloquently in his piece.

The study of this ancient symbol, co-opted by our institution, can go much deeper than the scope of this paper. As stated, this symbol describes the mission of each of us in the fraternity. In order to properly build the several parts of this symbol it requires the use of multiple Masonic working tools; the level is the implied surface on which the circle sits, the perpendicular lines forming a ninety-degree angle to the surface, the circle drawn with compass, the point with a plumb, and the square used to measure our actions between any two points. It teaches us that we should seek the wisdom and blessing of Deity in all our actions and to rely upon our brethren when we get out of sorts. It exhorts us to extend ourselves to the limits of our capacity in order to properly square our actions. Lastly, it is a symbol that all Masons should bear in remembrance, when they are facing their daily decisions, to ensure they stay properly circumscribed with all mankind.