The Masonic lodge halls

The layout of each of the "lodge halls" is the same as far as the seating for people holding position within the lodge and some of the symbolic items (like the placement of "torches", seals, and other symbols in the room). There are 6 lodge halls in the Philadelphia Temple; we visited 5 of them.

The Oriental Lodge Hall

The Ionic Lodge Hall

Deatil from the Egyptian Lodge Hall

The Norman Lodge Hall

The Renaissance Hall

The Corinthian Lodge Hall

The Banquet Hall

Some more photos from Philadelphia's Masonic Temple

Our tour guide approaching through the room
where ladies waited while their husbands conduct lodge business.

Pictured throughout are men who served as Grand Masters.
Several US notables were among them, including Benjamin Franklin and 15 presidents.

Many of the symbols we saw throughout the Temple were Judeo-Christian, 
but Masons need only believe in some sort of Higher Power. Nevertheless, I didn't see anything that made me think of Buddhist, Islamic, or Hindu faiths.

The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

A few weeks ago we toured the Masonic Temple. It is a fantastic building with striking architectural features. I will share a few photos with you over the next couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy!

City Hall, topped with the iconic statue of William Penn, is just across the street.

The stonework at the entranceway to the Temple is stunning.

Tinkering with botanical drawing

I did these a few years ago and really need to try to find classes nearby now that I've moved. It was a lot of fun.

The Mummers

The Mummers Parade (held on New Years Day) is an institution in Philadelphia. The outfits are ornate and colorful and the music is full of energy. Three Mummers came to our community "pep rally" prior to the Philadelphia Eagles' decisive Super Bowl win. Philadelphia was bursting with energy before the even, and with pride afterwards. The Eagles did us proud!

 

An Ghaeltacht

 

Many signs - at least in the Republic of Ireland - are printed in both English and "Irish", or Gaelic. (This is rarely the case in Northern Island, from what we observed.) Here are a few:

Also known as "Donegal"

It would take some time to be able to learn the alphabet, let alone the language!

This sign indicates that one is entering an area where most people speak Gaelic, not English.

No trip to Ireland would be complete without a stop to the local pub. Or two. Or three...