8. The Legend of the Apprentice Pillar is Connected to the Freemasons
Freemasonry claims that its traditions go all the way back to the building of the Temple of Solomon, particularly to Hiram Abif, its alleged master mason. He was sworn not to tell the secrets of his masonry to anyone and was killed – struck with a mallet – for doing so. Today, initiation rituals for the Freemasons include re-enactments of this legend, thereby reinforcing not only the importance of masonry’s traditions but also the need for keeping utmost secrecy regarding the goings-on of the organization. The story of Hiram Abif is somewhat reflected in the legend of the Apprentice Pillar at Rosslyn Chapel.
The legend says that the chapel’s master mason was given the plans for a particularly wondrous pillar, which he could not construct until he had first traveled to Rome to view the original at the Vatican. While he was gone, one of his apprentices went ahead and created the pillar, and the work was done flawlessly. When the master mason returned, he was so envious of what his apprentice had accomplished that he struck him with a mallet. While the legend may or may not have a historical basis, carvings of the master mason and his murdered apprentice can be seen at Rosslyn, facing the Apprentice Pillar.