The Lighthouse. 2015
Pen and ink
Gregory B. Stewart
Created as an illustrative frontispiece to the work Fellow of the Craft, The Lighthouse is a visual representation of the allegorical climb into the middle chamber of King Solomon’s temple.
While obviously not Solomon’s temple the visual here takes it cue from the great lighthouse of Alexandria and the many tiers necessary to ascend to reach the bright illuminated top. In this representation, the lighthouse is symbolic of the light acquired in the climb between the degrees.
The decision to use this image as opposed one more familiar to other representations was a risk in the conceptualization of the book. Rather than a waterford and sheafs of wheat, the underlying symbolism of the second degree of Freemasonry is the elevation towards the light of wisdom through he middle chamber of the temple. With that in mind, this image is the essence of that metaphorical journey in a house of light.
Also see the Modern Second-Degree Tracing Board.