I was sent a link to this photographer’s tumblr page containing rare pictures of the Montreal Masonic Memorial Temple. Dedicated and officially opened June 22, 1929, it was added to the register of National Historic Sites of Canada in 2006. Interesting how a lot the symbolism within these walls is now found in pop culture.
The Twin Pillars Jachin and Boaz at the entrance
The Chamber of Reflection. It is a “small room adjoining the Lodge, in which, preparatory to initiation, the candidate is enclosed for the purpose of indulging in those serious meditations which its sombre appearance and the gloomy emblems with which it is furnished are calculated to produce. It is also used in some of the advanced degrees for a similar purpose.” The chamber contains numerous Alchemical symbols and sayings.
All Seeing Eye, Rainbow, Twin Pillars, Checkered floor…a compilation of Masonic symbols.
John The Baptist – the Patron Saint of the Freemasons
The Caduceus – the symbol of Hermes, the originator of the Hermetism.
Just FYI, the depiction of a severed head is NOT that of John the Baptist. The apron shown is one variant of that for the Ninth Degree of the Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction), and depicts the head of one of the three ruffians who assassinated Hiram Abiff. (The Ninth Degree relates the trial and execution of the ruffians, who were pursued and captured in previous degrees.)
John the Baptist and John the Evangelist are the patron saints of Freemasonry, but to my knowledge John the Baptist's severed head is not depicted in Masonry.