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Information about Builders' Rites

Builders' rites are ceremonies attendant on the laying of foundation stones, whether ecclesiastical, masonic or otherwise, and other traditions connected with foundations or other aspects of construction.

One such custom is that of placing within a cavity beneath the stone, a few coins of the realm, newspapers, etc. The ordinary view that by such means particulars may be found of the event on the removal of the stone hereafter, may suffice as respects latter-day motives, but such memorials are deposited in the hope that they will never be disturbed, and so another reason must be found for such an ancient survival. Whilst old customs continue, the reasons for them are ever changing, and certainly this fact applies to laying foundation stones.

Origins

Originally, it appears that living victims were selected as "a sacrifice to the gods," and especially to ensure the stability of the building. Grimm (Teutonic Mythology (1883-1884), (trans. Stalleybrass).) remarks "It was often thought necessary to immure live animals and even men in the foundation, on which the structure was to be raised, to secure immovable stability." There is no lack of evidence as to this gruesome practice, both in savage and civilized communities. "The old pagan laid the foundation of his house and fortress in blood." (Baring-Gould on "Foundations," Murray's Mag. (1887).) Under the walls of two round towers in Ireland (the only ones examined) human skeletons have been discovered. In the 15th century, the wall of Holsworthy church was built over a living human being, and when this became unlawful, images of living beings were substituted (Folk-Lore Journal, i. 23-24).

The best succinct account of these rites is to be obtained in G. W. Speth's Builders' Rites and Ceremonies (1893). (W. J. H.*)

From China, a story is that the Great Wall required "10,000" to be buried in its foundations. A workman was found named "10,000", and in he went, very practically.

See also

References

Foundation Stone (Hebrew: אבן השתייה, translit. Even haShetiya) or Rock (Arabic: translit. Sakhrah, Hebrew: translit.: Sela) is the name of the rock at the heart of the Dome of the Rock.
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Christianity

Foundations
Jesus Christ
Church Theology
New Covenant Supersessionism
Dispensationalism
Apostles Kingdom Gospel
History of Christianity Timeline
Bible
Old Testament New Testament
Books Canon Apocrypha
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Freemasonry

Core Articles
Freemasonry Grand Lodge Masonic Lodge Masonic Lodge Officers Prince Hall Freemasonry Regular Masonic jurisdictions
History
History of Freemasonry Libert chrie Masonic manuscripts

Masonic Bodies


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A foundation is a structure that transfers loads to the ground. Foundations are generally broken into two categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations.

Shallow foundations

Main article: Shallow foundation

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Jacob Grimm

Born January 4, 1785
Hanau, Hesse-Kassel
Died September 20, 1863 (age 78)
Berlin, Prussia

Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm
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The Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (28 January 1834 – 2 January 1924) was an English hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist and eclectic scholar. His bibliography lists more than 500 separate publications.
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Ireland
Éire
Airlann <nowiki />

Northwest of continental Europe with Great Britain to the east.

Geography <nowiki/>
Location Western Europe <nowiki />
Archipelago
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15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500.

Events

  • 1402: Ottoman and Timurid Empires fight at the Battle of Ankara resulting in Timur's capture of Bayezid I.
  • 1402: The conquest of the Canary Islands signals the beginning of the Spanish Empire.

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Holsworthy

Holsworthy, Devon ()
|240px|Holsworthy, Devon (

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time capsule is a historic cache of goods and/or information, usually intended as a method of communication with people in the future. Time capsules are sometimes created and buried during celebrations such as a World Fair, cornerstone laying for a building or other event.
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Topping out is a ceremony done when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. Common in England and Germany, its origins are obscure. In the United States when a skyscraper was completed, the last girder to be hoisted was painted white and signed by all the workmen
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cornerstone (or foundation stone) is a ceremonial masonry stone, or facsimile, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other
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naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.

Methods of launch

There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching.
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votive deposit or votive offering is an object left in a sacred place for ritual purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made in order to gain favour with supernatural forces.
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