XXX INTE.ODUCTION. 



tic destruction and regeneration," because the world renevvs itself spontaneously after every 

 contest of storms, water or fire. (*) 



The lodges of the freemasons and of the Hung-league are both square and perfectly oriented, 

 with the principal gate or entrance towards the East. Now we will compare for a moment 

 the old English apprentice Catechism and the Catechism of the Hung-league. 

 The 89th question in the former runs: 

 //How broad brother"? (is the lodge). 

 A. //Between North and South." 

 Q. 90. „How high brother?" 

 A. //From Earth to Heaven." 



The 230 question of the Catechism of the Hung-league runs; 

 //How high is the lodge?" 

 A. //As high as one's eyes can reaeh." 

 Q. 231. //And how broad?" 



A. //As broad as the two capitals and 13 provinces." ( 2 ) 



The latter, as a Chinese locution, means simply as the whole empire or, in extenso, as 

 the whole world or universe. Now the old Chinese symbol for a state, a kingdom or the world 

 is a square (compare p. xxn), and as such we find this symbol amongst the designs on the 

 walls of the Lodge of the Hung-league. ( 3 ) 



The Chinese lodge is situated, like the masonic lodge, towards the East. In the old Chinese 

 Light-worship, the East, as the source of all light, is sacred. Already in the 13th question of 

 the Catechism of the Hung-league the novice is asked: 



z/Whence do you come?" and he answers : „1 come from the East." 

 Q. 16. ,/At what time did you come hither? 

 A. //I went at sunrise when the East was light." ( 4 ) 



In Browne's Masterkey these questions are given under another form, viz., 

 z/Whence do you come as a mason?" 

 A. ,/From the west/' 

 Q. //Whither do you go?" 

 A. ,/To the East." 



The idea, hovvever, is quite similar, as the Chinese member has entered the lodge by the 

 East-gate. The members of both societies seem, however, to express, by their answers, the 

 desire for the research of light. 



In both, the Masonic — and Hung-lo&ge , the altar and seat of the presiding master are at 

 the East. The East, symbolizing the source of light, is an idea so natural, that we need 

 not wonder to find it back with the Chinese. All nations have considered it so, because 



f 1 ) Symb. d. Freim., II, 311. (2) See p. 93. 



( 3 ) See Tab. vu & vin, and comp. p. 20, (*) See p. 61, 



