Left Panel
Represents the Tracing Board for the First Degree of Masonry — the first third of the initiation into the fraternity. The altar represents where an initiate says oaths over a holy book of his choosing, with the tools of Masonry placed upon it. The square and compass are repeated here, and an image of Jacob’s Ladder symbolizes ascension into heaven. The symbols on the ladder are, from the top down, the hourglass for the brevity of life, the anchor for grounded principles, and the cross.
Centre Panel
The most ambiguous in its meaning. The large chalice at the centre may be Masonic, though it is not used in Canadian Masonry — only that of the United States. It may instead represent the chalice of Anglican Communion, or the Holy Grail. The grapes and vines behind it may represent Communion wine, or be a pictorial reading of “He is the vine and we are the branches.” The star above the chalice may be the star placed on the coffin of Hiram Abiff, builder of Solomon’s temple; or the Star of Bethlehem.
Right Panel
Represents the Tracing Board for the Second Degree. The stairs are those leading to Solomon’s Temple, considered by Masons the ultimate standard of stonework, and also represent the Degrees of Masonry with their numerology of 3, 5, and 7 or more. The room at the top of the stairs is the Inner Sanctum of Solomon’s Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was stored. It is blue, as is found universally in Masonic Lodges.
Top Lancets
The three symbols at the top of the window — the star, sun, and crescent moon — are collectively known as the Three Great Lights. In Masonic lodges they are found on three walls of the square room and represent the duties of whoever holds the seat beneath. The Sun sits on the South side for the Junior Warden; the Crescent Moon on the West for the Senior Warden; the Star above the chair on the East for the Master of the Lodge.
Additional Symbols
The pillars on the sides of both outer panels represent those at the entrance of Solomon’s Temple, standing here for terrestrial and celestial life. The checkered floor in both panels is commonly found in a Lodge hall. The red-and-blue triangle border around all three vertical panels may be an attempt at York Rite Masonry, as a similar border appears on the aprons of that segment.