The Cubic Stone

The Cubic Stone of Freemasonry

The Cubic Stone appears as the Masonic Stone of foundation in the Rituals of both the Royal Arch and the Rose Croix, among other high degrees of Freemasonry. This Cube was secretly inscribed with the four-lettered name of God (Yahweh).

Masonic lore relates much Old Testament history concerning this perfect cube-shaped Stone. On it, Adam is said to have made his first Offerings to God. Jacob used it as the pillow when he experienced his marvelous dream - the foot of the ladder he beheld in his vision rested on a Cubic Stone. Moses used it as a Talisman to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land. It was hidden in the Holy of Holies in the first Temple and was used as the cornerstone of the second.

The Cubic Stone is also used in the first degrees of Blue Masonry in the Symbolism of the rough Ashlar transformed by hard work into the perfect Ashlar. The rough, unhewn Stone from which the Stones of the Temple are carved is known as a rough Ashlar. This rough Ashlar is the candidate, still burdened by the imperfections of the world when first introduced into the Mysteries. After the candidate becomes an initiate and has accomplished the Spiritual work of Self-Perfection, the rough Ashlar of the candidate becomes the perfect Ashlar of the Master. This perfect Ashlar is in the shape of a perfect Cube, whose six faces are polished to Perfection through slow, steady work.


David Allen Hulse - The Cubic Stone of Freemasonry, “New Dimensions for the Cube of Space”, 2000.