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Letterhead Jl1 Tripunct

Explanation of Masonic Tripunctial Mark from 1977 research of the Florida Masonic Digest Revision Committee. Updated since then for technology advances. The Tripunct is the usage in Freemasonry of the three dots :.

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731 views2 pages

Letterhead Jl1 Tripunct

Explanation of Masonic Tripunctial Mark from 1977 research of the Florida Masonic Digest Revision Committee. Updated since then for technology advances. The Tripunct is the usage in Freemasonry of the three dots :.

Uploaded by

techsupport1307
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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JACKSON LODGE NO. 1, F.& A.M.

“Florida’s Oldest Lodge”


Chartered December 19, 1825 U.D. June 3, 1825
R∴W∴ Stephen M. Berry 2910 Kerry Forest Parkway D4-395
850-519-2834 Tallahassee, Florida 32309

MASONIC ∴ TRIPUNCTIAL MARK

∴ [U+2234]
.·. [ALT-250]
:. [COLON PERIOD]
.’. [PERIOD APOSTROPHE PERIOD]
.-. [PERIOD DASH PERIOD]
ø [FAM-Code.ttf symbol] http://mastermason.com/defiance22/

First, the three dots are called a Tripunct or Tripunctial Mark and can be created in a variety of ways
depending on tools available and skill of the users. It could be a triangular configuration of three
dots or three circles, or a colon and period. In Word processors it is available as a symbol in some
font sets. With typewriters we used the small "o" in superscript and subscript to create three dots.
By the way, I recommend using the FAM-Code font set for masonic symbols.

Second, always refer back to the Secretary of your lodge for specific instructions of your lodge or
Grand Lodge. They may have local protocols and will supersede anything said by others. It is in
a few Style Manuals of some Grand Lodges. Most of the time we have to look towards the
"common usage" by the respective Grand Jurisdiction.

Third, in mathematics the Tripunct (lower case) means "therefore". It is speculated that the rise of
mathematics espoused in the development of the Fellowcraft Degree lead masonry to adopting the
use for abbreviations. There are a few instances of the Masonic use of four dots, or double-colon
"::". Not included in any known Masonic Style Manual but seems to have been used in historical
documents and writings to indicate constants in Masonic Law or Landmarks. Since this symbol
clearly originated in mathematics, the assumption was made that the Tripunct followed and was also
adopted from mathematical notation symbols. The double-colon has fallen out of common usage
but may serve as a reference point for the adoption of the common use of the Tripunct.

Fourth, there is not a definitive answer as to what the Tripunct means, used, nor started. The short
answer from Masonic style manuals is "In common usage for respect of known abbreviations in
Freemasonry of the syllogistic Attainment of Respect." Interpretations and application of that
cryptic veiled definition vary between Grand Jurisdictions if they addressed it at all. Analogous to
Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder and follows the usage in the logic of mathematics.

Fifth, commonly used in the abbreviation of Grand Jurisdictions. M∴W∴G∴L∴


Commonly used in the abbreviation of Titles. W∴M∴, R∴W∴, M∴W∴G∴M∴
Not commonly used for the entry member designation, periods are used instead. E.A., F.C., M.M.
It "seems" common usage is to reserve the use of the Tripunct to indicate a "level of respected
attainment". Thus, not used by a Particular Lodge, and reserved to the Grand Lodge. (Worshipful

2818 Apalachee Parkway (850) 877-2716


Tallahassee, FL 32301-3608 www.jl1.org
Masters and Past Worshipful Masters are usually members of the Grand Lodge therefore afforded
respect for the attainment and thus abbreviated W∴M∴.)

Sixth, it is also used by some of the coed groups such as Eastern Star. No known instructions on
the style, assumed to be common usage adopted from Blue Lodge.

Seventh, never seen it used with any of the youth groups. Could possibly be used by the Grand
Master of DeMolay, but would be considered an "extended courtesy" or "adopted custom" as he is
not by position a Most nor Right Worshipful. Again, never seen it used by them and for that
reason may be considered illustrative in the omission. Some DeMolay Grand Masters are Past
Grand Masters of Grand Jurisdictions and will use the Tripunct in their personal style of address.

Finally, I know of no Grand Jurisdiction to have issued a Style Manual or included in their Digest of
Masonic Law that affords any symbolism to the arrangement of three dots. Graphical software use
will occasionally see small squares replacing the dots. Such symbolism may be inferred by the
respective users, and may be part of the reason why it was possibly adopted from mathematics and
become common usage in our Masonic Family. Another reason espoused, "Well,... it sure looks
fancy!"

S&F,
==RøWø Steve
Stephen M. Berry, ô PDDGM, ROS, KCCH, PSM, KCRBE, KGC, AISC FLPEXO, PP
"The Last Living Man to have worked on the 1978 Revision of the Florida Masonic Digest"

SMB/st: 01/30/1977

ed. Mackay suggests that it is from the Grand Orient. However, although they may use it, there
are earlier documents and was used in papers of Isaac Newton. Suggested that Newton adopted it
from the work of Elias Ashmole (regarded as the first known mason). Due to continuing
controversy respectfully suggest using caution for any issues involving any of the French groups.

Masonic ttf
FAM-Code.ttf FAM-Code

Masonic.ttf Mas o n ic

Masonic Cipher.ttf Masonic Cipher

Masonic Code.ttf Masonic Code

Masonic Outline.ttf Masonic Outline

2818 Apalachee Parkway (850) 877-2716


Tallahassee, FL 32301-3608 www.jl1.org

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