Magic lantern slides, like tracing boards, were used in lodge instruction as visual aids. They used Masonic symbols to illustrate the principles embedded in the degrees of Freemasonry, helping candidates associate an image with an idea. Often, Masonic slide sets were simply images of old tracing boards printed on glass slides.

Set of slides depicting images from tracing boards, sometimes referred to as carpets, for the first three degrees of Blue Lodge.

Symbols

Symbols are at the core of Masonic teaching and instruction. Masonic symbols like the sprig of acacia, Solomon’s Temple, the scythe, and hourglass were also regularly illustrated in magic lantern slides and displayed in lodge lantern presentations.