THE SQUARE AND COMPASSES: THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF CARPENTERS AND OTHERS
The square and compasses has been used as a symbol by several organizations. The oldest organization to use the symbol is probably the Worshipful Company of Carpenters , founded in London more than 700 years ago. The first written reference mentions of a " Master Carpenter " in the City of London’s records dated year 1271. It was originally a medieval trade guild, set up to look after the welfare and interests of carpenters living and working in London. The Carpenters received its first Royal Charter in 1477, and in 1515 was ranked 26 in order of precedence out of the 48 City Livery Companies then existing. The Carpenter's motto is " Honour God ". Founded in 1724, the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia was modeled after the Worshipful Company of Carpenters. Both associations have close ties with each other. During the 18 th and early 19 th centuries, the Worshipful Company of Carpenter...