IMRODUCTK»'. XVII 



Light-dynasty ( 1 ), but the search after ligld in the masonic acceptation. The mason is consecra- 

 ted by the white apron a.ud the sword, like the priest is by the tonsure. The tousure is a 

 symbol of light, the symbol of the smidisk. The sun itself is often taken in religion and in 

 masonry as the symbol of the Ligld and of God, especially as the Eye of Providence and 

 Omniscience. ( 3 ) So we find the sun as a red disk painted on the doors of Budhist temples in 

 China and Japan. Besides, the member of the Hungleague is, like the mason, conseerated by the 

 white dress and the sword. 



2. 



Before we pass to the comparison of the symbols of masonry and of the Hung-league, we 

 have to offer a few remarks on the sacred numbers of the Chinese. 



The unity, according to the old doctrine of the Chinese, is the principle of calculation and 

 the beginning of numbers; the ten or decas is the limit where calculation ends, and the comple- 

 ment of numbers. Frorn 1 to 10 is the representation of the two principles Tin and Yang in 

 the state of primordial confusion. 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 are the perfect numbers: these numbers, not 

 having the decas, have the principle without having the limit; they have the beginning bnt not. 

 the end. 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 are the imperfect numbers: these numbers do not possess the unity; 

 they have the limit but not the principle; they have the end but not the beginning. ( 3 ) 



The number 3, as we have seen already on page xiv & xr, possesses a high mystic and sym- 

 bolical meaning. //The principle of all doctrine", says Hoai-nan-tsze //is one. One being alone, 

 could never beget anything; but it could produce everything, as it contained in itself the two 

 principles whose harmony and union produce everything." In this sense it may be said thafc 

 1 produces 2, 2 produces 3 and by 3 all things are produced. Heaven and Earth form whafc 

 we call time. Three lunations form a season. ( 4 ) Hence 3 offerings were made in the cere- 

 monies for the worship of the ancestors, and the people wept thrice. ( 5 ) 



So there are 3 lights : sun, moon and stars. Three bonds: between Prince, Father and Hus- 

 band. Three kinds of sacrifices: the great, middle and inferior. ( 6 ) 



With the Budhists we have the three treasuies: Badha, Dharma and Sangha, or the Intelligence, 

 the Law and Church. These three treasures are called Preciosa, like the 3 movable and 3 un- 

 movable Preciosa (jewels or Regalia) of the masons which may, as Dr. Schauberg thinks, have 

 been, very probably, imitated from Budhism. ( 7 ) 



(1) Hfj g} Ming-dynasty. 



( 2 ) Symb. d. Freim. I, 260. 



( 3 ) Mémoires concernant les Chinois, T. VI, 137. 



( 4 ) gi ( 5 ) Mémoires concernant les Chinois, T. VI, 118. 



( 7 ) Symb. d. Freim. II, 372 k/f, Krause, Kunsturkunden, I, 2, pp. 92 8c 369. Lcnning, Encyklopadu-, 



unter Kkinode, 



C 



