What Does 357 Mean In Freemasonry

Complete Explanation

The number 357 is not a single, standalone symbol in Freemasonry but rather a shorthand combination of the numbers 3, 5, and 7, each of which carries distinct allegorical significance. These three numbers are frequently mentioned together in Masonic ritual and lectures, particularly in the Fellow Craft (Second) Degree. Their sum—15—is also important and corresponds to the fifteen steps of the winding staircase, a key symbolic journey in the degree’s teachings. The combination 357 serves as a mnemonic device to remind Masons of the sequential stages of moral and intellectual development.

• 3 (Three):
  Represents the three symbolic degrees of Freemasonry (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason) as well as the three principal pillars of the lodge (Wisdom, Strength, Beauty).
• 5 (Five):
  Refers to the five senses (hearing, sight, feeling, smelling, tasting) and the Five Points of Fellowship, which are moral precepts for brotherly conduct.
• 7 (Seven):
  Symbolizes the seven liberal arts and sciences (grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy) and the seven steps of the winding staircase in some rituals.
• Combined Significance:
  The sequence 3-5-7 guides the candidate through a progressive journey from initiation (3), through sensory and ethical awareness (5), to intellectual enlightenment (7), culminating in the full staircase of 15 steps.

History / Background

The use of the numbers 3, 5, and 7 in Freemasonry has roots in medieval guild practices and biblical numerology. The earliest documented references appear in 18th-century Masonic catechisms and lectures. The winding staircase is described in the Fellow Craft degree, where the candidate ascends a staircase of 3, 5, and 7 steps (or sometimes 15 steps directly) to symbolically approach the middle chamber of King Solomon’s Temple. The three numbers were codified in standard rituals such as those of the United Grand Lodge of England and the various Grand Lodges in America. Over time, the phrase “three, five, seven” became a well-known mnemonic within Masonic traditions, though its exact phrasing may vary by jurisdiction.

Importance and Impact

The 357 combination is important as a teaching tool that reinforces core Masonic values. It connects the degrees with sensory experience and classical education, aligning with the fraternity’s goal of making “good men better.” The winding staircase narrative, incorporating 357, has been influential in Masonic literature and artwork, appearing in expositions such as Albert Pike’s ‘Morals and Dogma’ and various monitorial manuals. It also provides a framework for personal introspection: Masons are encouraged to reflect on how the lessons of the three degrees, the five senses, and the seven liberal arts apply to their daily lives. Outside Masonry, the combination is sometimes cited in works on Masonic symbolism and numerological studies.

Why It Matters

Understanding the meaning of 357 helps both Masons and non-Masons grasp the allegorical nature of Masonic teachings. For members, it clarifies how numbers are used as intellectual stepping-stones rather than secret codes. For researchers and the curious, it dispels myths about hidden hierarchies or vast systems of degrees (Freemasonry only has three symbolic degrees, not 357). The concept remains relevant in contemporary lodge instruction, where new candidates are introduced to the winding staircase and its numerical symbolism as part of their initiation into the Second Degree.

Common Misconceptions