17th Degree Jewel

The jewel is a heptagonal (seven-sided) medal, half gold and silver or mother of pearl. These two colors are emblems of the sun and moon, themselves symbols of the Egyptians deities Osiris and Isis, who represent the generative and productive powers of nature, illustrated in Masonic symbolism by the columns Jachin and Boaz as the active and passive forces manifested in nature (Morals and Dogma). On one side are engraved, at the angles, the same letters as are on the capitals of the columns in the ceremony and possessing the same meaning, that of the last seven of the Sephiroth of the Kabbalah. A star is over each. In the center, on the same side, is a lamb, lying on a book with seven seals, on which seals are, respectively, the same letters, though shown in this representation as the Roman Equivalents. On the reverse side are two crossed swords, points upward; their hilts rest on an even balance. In the corners are the initials in Greek of the names of the Seven Churches.