The Pot of Incense
An emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity.
What it means
One of the Master Mason's emblems in Webb's monitor. As the incense glows with fervent heat, so should the heart glow with gratitude to the author of existence for the blessings received.
It is the sort of emblem that appears on 19th-century Master Mason certificates and charts and almost nowhere else, which makes those prints worth looking at closely.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Pot of Incense mean in Freemasonry?
An emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity.
Who can wear the Pot of Incense?
This is a lesson rather than a badge. It turns up on Lodge charts, prints and gifts, and owning or displaying one says nothing about rank. On a lapel most people will read it as Masonic.
Sources
Drawn from the published monitors and from what the bodies concerned publish about themselves. Nothing here comes from, or goes beyond, any obligated material.
- Thomas Smith Webb, The Freemason's Monitor; or, Illustrations of Masonry (1797)
- Jeremy L. Cross, The True Masonic Chart, or Hieroglyphic Monitor (1819)