This is the tracing board of the EA Degree.
The TBs are made of cloth and lie in the middle of the lodge, on the floor of the Lodge and is surrounded by the three columns of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty in the northeast, southeast and southwest corners respectively.
It is said that the fourth column is Religion, and that it is already
there, but invisible to the blue lodge brother.
The TBs of all Degrees are square, except the Third Degree, which is oblong.
The Symbols on this TB are:
- Cable Tow with a special knot, called Lemniscate, which is also the
symbol of Infinity.
- Square and Compasses, building a square.
- Sun and Moon.
- Rough and smooth ashlars.
- Gavel and Trowel.
- Balance and Plumb.
- The columns J and B, with only the J showing on the left column
- 5-pointed blazing star with the letter G.
- mosaic pavement in triangles instead of squares.
- The drawing table (as symbol of the MM) with the letter X as the
roman number 10 for the 10 commandments.
The symbolism of the X is widened in the higher degrees. In a St. Andrew’s Lodge (4th to 6th Degrees) it symbolizes St. Andrew’s Cross. And in the Chapters (7th to 10th Degrees) it represents the Greek letter ‘Chi’ being the initial letter of Christ.