Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Sundial; engraved square brass plate sundial with gnomon set at an angle of 51 degrees; spandrels of the base plate are engraved with (1), ( u.l.), square and compasses, a setting maul, and trowel; (2), (u.r.) radiant Sun; (3) (l.l.), level, crossed keys; (4), (l.r.), crescent Moon, 7-stars; in center, over which is mounted the gnomon, is the Hexalpha (two interlaced triangles) enclosing the Triple TAU within a chapter ring divided into eight arcs, the points of which contain the Mark Master's mnemonic "TWSSTKS", are two sets of Roman numerals running from IIII-XII and I-VIII; the bottom arc, at the base of the gnomon, is inscribed "Thomas Booth/ London Fecit."; within an encircling border band is the legend "DEO REGI FRATRIBUS HONOR FIDELITAS BENEVOLENTA" [God King Brotherhood Honor Fidelity Benevolence].

On a bright day, people can tell the time with a sundial by reading the shadow cast on the dial by the blade, or gnomon. To be useful, sundials need to be securely fixed in an open area free of shadows, like a garden or public square. Some people owned both a sundial and a clock. When the sun shone, they could check their clock’s accuracy against the sundial. This particular sundial also reminded Masons of the system of morality they learned through the symbols that decorate it. Latin words meaning “god,” “king,” “brotherhood,” “honor,” “fidelity,” and “benevolence” engraved on its face further underscored these Masonic ideals.