Karvelis Mark Antonovich - Candidate of Cultural Studies. Masonic symbols in Russian culture of the 18th - early 19th centuries

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

For a long time Freemasonry has been a favorite subject of conspiracy theories and urban legends. Even today, despite the abundance of literature and information about the activities of this society, one of the most mysterious organizations in history is often called occult, insidious and harmful. Russia is no exception in this respect. The role of Freemasonry, which arrived at the beginning of the 18th century from Western European countries, is still the subject of heated debate. The first representatives of the secret society in Russia were foreigners recruited by Peter the Great.

Is the Emperor a Freemason?

According to one of the versions, which, however, does not have any documentary evidence, the restless tsar-reformer himself joined the ranks of freemasons. In our time, it is no longer possible to find out what role Peter the Great actually played in the creation and development of a secret society. However, it is difficult to argue with the fact that in the architecture of St. Petersburg, founded by the first Russian emperor, there are many symbols associated with Freemasonry.

Secret signs

The issue of the influence of the organization of free masons on Russian artistic culture is carefully considered in a scientific dissertation, authored by Mark Antonovich Karvelis. The defense of this research work took place in 2010 at St. Petersburg State University. The dissertation is called "Masonic Symbolism in Russian Culture". She seeks to give an objective assessment of the role of freemasons in Russian history. The applicant for the degree of candidate of cultural studies in his work emphasizes the importance of the contribution of the Masonic order to the cause of moral and humanistic education. The author tried to comprehensively recreate the picture of the emergence and development of the brotherhood of freemasons in Russia and overcome the ingrained negative ideas about this organization. In addition, Mark Karvelis talks about the esoteric knowledge of the society, as well as its secret symbols and complex system of rituals.

Fraternity Founders

History has not preserved reliable evidence of the personal participation of Peter the Great in the activities of the secret order, but the names of his close associates Franz Lefort, Jacob Bruce and Patrick Gordon are traditionally associated with Freemasonry. All of them were foreigners in the service of the Russian Tsar. Among contemporaries there were the most incredible legends about the Scot Jacob Bruce, a brilliant engineer, as well as a military and statesman. Popular rumor called the associate of Peter a sorcerer and warlock and attributed supernatural powers to him.capabilities. Mystical rumors are explained by the fact that one of the most educated people of that era caused misunderstanding among superstitious contemporaries. However, it is quite possible to admit that a progressive engineer and scientist belongs to a secret order seeking to change the world.

Origins and traces

Mark Karvelis limits the chronological scope of his research to the period of intensive development of the organization of freemasons. The heyday of the Masonic movement in Russia lasted from the middle of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th century. During the same period, the country actively got acquainted with the secular European culture and philosophy. Mark Karvelis outlined one of the goals of his research work to reveal the rituals, ceremonies and secret signs of domestic Masons.

The author comes to an interesting conclusion: freemasons did not create any original symbols, but borrowed all their attributes from the Kabbalah, pagan cults, medieval craft unions and military-religious knightly orders. Mark Karvelis argues that the influence of the Masonic movement on the development of Russian philosophy, literature, painting and architecture can hardly be overestimated. In his opinion, the activities of the brotherhood of freemasons is an integral part of the national spiritual heritage.

Influence on architecture

Discussions about the presence of Masonic symbols on buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries were going on long before Mark Karvelis touched on this topic in his dissertation. Saint-Petersburg is especially rich in such architectural monuments. Peter the Great, who was deeply impressed by his visit to Amsterdam, tried to build a similar city on the banks of the Neva. According to one of the legends, the reformer king, while in England, consulted with Isaac Newton about the construction of a new capital.

Perhaps the most famous Masonic symbol is the so-called "all-seeing eye". This sign represents an eye located above an unfinished pyramid. The meaning of this image is that the Architect of the Universe is watching the work of the members of the brotherhood. The "all-seeing eye" is rooted in Christianity and symbolizes conscience and absolute goodness. This sign is present on the main seal of the government of the United States of America and on the one dollar bill. It is worth noting that the founding of the United States at the end of the 18th century coincided with the heyday of world freemasonry.

In the northern capital of Russia, this ancient Christian symbol, borrowed by the organization of freemasons, can be seen on the Alexander Column, the Kazan Cathedral and the Church of St. John the Baptist. On some St. Petersburg mansions there are such Masonic signs as a compass and a triangle.

Truth and myths

Symbols commonly associated with the legendary secret society may in fact have a Christian meaning or represent builders' emblems devoid of any sacred meaning. It is known that Petersburgthe architects used a compass and a triangle depicted in the Masonic style as their coat of arms.

Of course, during the 18th century, the mysterious organization of Freemasons was very popular among the Russian aristocracy. The reason for this phenomenon was also the craving for mysticism, and the desire for moral perfection and the creation of an ideal society. However, Freemasonry did not have a serious political influence. In the words of one of the leaders of Russian freemasons, this philosophical trend was just a "toy for idle minds".