What are the three Great Lights typically displayed on the lodge altar?

• A. The Volume of Sacred Law, The Square, and The Compasses.
• B. The Great Lights are decorative items with no symbolic meaning.
• C. The Great Lights consist of The Volume of Sacred Law and The Crown.
• D. They are only used as lights with no significance.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the symbolic role of the three Great Lights and why they sit on the lodge altar. Each one represents a guiding standard by which a Mason tries to live.

The Volume of Sacred Law is placed on the altar to symbolize divine guidance and the pursuit of truth. It reminds Masons to study, reflect, and act in accordance with a higher moral authority. The Square stands for virtue in action—guiding us to be honest, fair, and upright in all our dealings. The Compasses symbolize self-control and the boundaries we set on our desires, encouraging moderation and prudent conduct. Together, these three lights express a framework: seek truth, live virtuously, and govern yourself with restraint.

Some lodges use a sacred text appropriate to their tradition, but the essential idea is that the Volume of Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses are the Great Lights that guide behavior and judgment. The other options miss the symbolic nature of these lights or name items that aren’t part of the Great Lights, so they don’t fit the concept the question is testing.