I have always been fascinated by the manner in which Freemasons identify themselves when meeting for the first time. This fascination started several years ago after reading an article in a Sunday paper where the author suggested that the first question a true Freemason would ask was: “Can you tie a bow?” The response, if the person was a Freemason, would be “As good as you can!”
    A BBC2 television programme once claimed that when dining, a Freemason will refer to his cutlery as ‘working tools’ and await any appropriate response, while The Sun suggested recently that a Freemason will gently caress your knuckle with his thumb before slowly releasing his grip.
    As early as 1725, the general public were given an insight into this fascinating subject. In two published articles, readers were advised that this information was “found in the custody of a Freemason who died suddenly.” - and published “that the public may have something genuine concerning the grand mysteries of the Freemasons.”
    I suppose the former part of the introduction gave the revelations some credence, while the latter part produced intrigue. Published by A.Moore, near St Paul’s and entitled The Grand Mystery of the Free Masons Discovered, they were priced at one shilling and contained the following: The Freemasons’ Signs; Examination upon entrance into the Lodge; The Freemasons’ Oath – and A Freemason’s Health.
    Journey with me now to a distant past and partake of instruction into the finer points of how to pass on a discrete signal or identify another Freemason. You might, for example, indicate your membership by taking off your hat with two fingers and a thumb. Or you may choose to strike, with the right hand, the inside of your little finger three times, as if hewing. Of course, you could always stroke two of your forefingers over your eye-lids three times or turn a glass upside down after you have taken a drink.
    However, those whose transport is of an equine nature may choose to prove their association by leaving the stirrup over the horse’s neck after alighting. On other occasions you may even be inclined to throw down a piece of round slate and say: “Can you change this coin?”
    Imagine yourself in non-masonic company and you suspect the man opposite to be a Freemason and you wish to meet him outside. Firstly, you would need to cough three times and leave the room. Now, assuming he followed you out and you are alone with him, here is the procedure to follow:

1. You must place your right heel to his right instep.
2. Put your right arm over his left and your left under his right.
3. In that position, take your middle finger and, starting from his left shoulder, draw a square from his shoulder to the middle of his back and down to his breeches.

1. Take the first step with your right foot and the second with your left and the third bringing your right heel into your brother’s right instep.
2. Lay your right hand to his left wrist.
3. Draw the other hand from your right ear to left under your chin.
4. He will then put his right hand to his left side under his heart.