Light and Darkness

The light-darkness duality is one of the fundamental symbols of Freemasonry. Present from the initiation of the new apprentice, this symbolism accompanies the Mason throughout their initiatory journey.

Darkness represents the state of ignorance in which man finds himself before initiation. It is the profane world, where prejudices, superstitions and passions obscure reason. The candidate for initiation is first plunged into darkness to symbolize this initial state.

Light, on the other hand, symbolizes knowledge, truth and wisdom. When the blindfold falls from the eyes of the new initiate, they symbolically receive 'the light', the first step toward self-knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

But this opposition is not Manichaean. Darkness is not inherently evil, nor is light inherently good. They are complementary and necessary to each other. Without darkness, how can one appreciate light? Without prior ignorance, how can one value knowledge?

Masonic work therefore consists of gradually transforming darkness into light, illuminating what was obscure, understanding what was mysterious. It is an endless path, for the further one advances toward the light, the more one discovers the immensity of what remains to be illuminated.