Holy of Holies

Above the entrance to the chamber is a male and female impression perhaps representing the male and female aspects of the same entity. The female form is interesting in that it is hidden away in the furthest south east corner of the chapel. Having such figures above the entrance to the chapels holy of holies is very strange. They cannot be considered Christian in any way. Biblically they represent the devil and Babylon.

Within the Holy of Holies is the curious depiction of a female form preventing onlookers from observing the goings on within the room. Interestingly, the other figures within the room have all been painted with colour and apparently relatively recently.

I have layered and sketched the outline. The figure is clearly female. It does not have a head. It appears to be holding back two men with arms which are large and out of proportion. I mentioned it was unpainted. This is not strictly correct because it may have a coat of white paint. I first assumed that the lack of colour suggested that it is ‘hidden’. However I think the opposite is correct, being white, it can be seen in the dark.

The figure appears to represent a feminine guardian. Holding back the eyes of the ‘profane’ from witnessing the goings on in the chapel.

Perhaps the most significant figure in this chamber is the figure of an elderly man, holding a key and a locked book. This is likely a reference to understanding, unlocking and opening the ‘closed book’ of the bible and probably the chapel. In terms of Biblical reference understanding comes with grey hair and knowledge of the Holy is provided by Wisdom.

The sacristy of Rosslyn is peppered with graffiti that has been scratched into the walls.

One may suppose that this would have been done by bored and mischievous teenagers. However, its form is such that it requires the use of a compass, a straight edge and a scribe. How many teenage vandals would carry such tools?

A compass and straight edge are symbolic tools employed by freemasonry. Therefore within the holy of holies of Rosslyn chapel we have graffiti scratched into the walls which, because of its nature, relates directly to Freemasonry.

The only logical conclusion is that the graffiti is a result of some form of ritual or has been specifically placed there for those with eyes to recognise it.

Within the sacristy are two hanging chains. The purpose of these chains is not obvious. Indeed it is likely that they have no particular purpose at all. However in terms of Masonic symbolism they are important.

The name of the Royal Arch degree is based upon and is identified by a cantary. A cantary is a particular shape formed by a chain or heavy string suspended between two points. It forms an inverted arch.

Such a form of arch is employed in architecture. The outline of the shape is drawn upon a large board. This board may then be laid flat and the arch built over the inverted and traced outline. The board is hinged at its base. The stone arch which has been produced, lying flat on the ground can then be erected by tilting the board until the arch stands vertically. If done in the correct manner the arch will then be free-standing when the board is removed.

Why is such a principle particularly important to freemasonry?

It is simply imitative and opposite. Imitative because of the shape. Opposite because of the inverting of the shape to produce the arch.

The chains are suspended from points which are close together so that the double length of the chain appears to form a single length. However the principle of cantary is maintained. Imagine a chain of five metres length suspended from points two metres apart. It forms a cantary. Imagine a chain of 1000 metres length suspended from the same points. The apparent shape would appear to be different but it still follows the form or rule of cantary. As simple symbols they may be recognised by members of the Royal Arch.

Within the sacristy is reference to the ‘King of Terror’. This is specifically included in speech during the Freemasonic Third Degree after the initiate is raised from the ‘baptismal’ grave. It is contained within the same speech which mentions the morning star.

If the section regarding the Masonic degrees is read it will be seen that ‘identifying’ who is the King of Terror and who is the most High is not readily apparent.

The meaning of the engraving is not particularly clear.

It is likely that it alludes to a treacherous journey. Treacherous because of the walk upon two spheres or cylinders from which it is easy to fall.  One of these has a tau cross, favoured by Freemasonry, and the other is hollow. It is treacherous because death awaits holding a sickle. The journey is towards an apparently female child, wearing a gown and sitting upon an open volume of a book, presumably the bible. The traveller reaches out their hand yet no assistance is given.

The aspect of reaching is emphasised by the elongated distortion of the mans left hand.The child sitting upon an open volume is certainly reminiscent of the vision of the flying scroll which relates to the Royal Arch Degree and imitation of biblical text.

On the side of the engraving, in the direction of the traveller is a depiction of an emaciated child. The child may be eating something but it has no effect upon its starving body. This probably alludes to bread, as in the Lords prayer, give us this day our daily bread.

On the opposite side, that of ‘death’, is a similar figure yet it is apparently healthy and does not display the signs of starvation. Unfortunately obtaining a picture of this area is rather difficult due to the close proximity of the perpendicular wall.

It represents a hidden message. The traveller appears to flee death in a precarious manner but the direction of the journey towards something else leads to spiritual death and starvation.