Q. What signifies the steel? A. To remind us of the steel by which our Most Respectable Chief, Hiram Abiff, lost his life, and which I am sworn to make use of whenever I can revenge that horrible murder of the traitors of Masonry.
Q. What means the fire? A. To put us in mind that our forefathers were purified by fire.
Q. By whom were you received? A. By Cyrus.
Q. Why by Cyrus? A. Because it was he who ordered Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple.
Q. What did you promise and swear to perform when you received this degree? A. I swore that I would see the laws, statutes, and regulations strictly observed in our Lodge.
Q. What was your name before you received this degree? A. Zerubbabel.
Q. What means the word Animani? A. "I am that, I am;" and it is also the name of him who found the lion's den.
Q. Why is the Lodge decorated with blue and yellow? A. To remind us that the Eternal appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, in clouds of gold and azure, when he gave to his people the laws of infinite wisdom.
Q. Where do you find the records of our order? A. In the archives of Kilwinning, in the north of Scotland.
Q. Why did you travel from the South 'round to the East? A. In allusion to the power of the Grand Architect of the universe, which extends throughout all the world.
Q. Why did you wash your hands in the taking of one or the previous degrees? A. To show my innocence.
Q. Why is the history of Hiram Abiff so much spoken of? A. To put us always in mind that he chose rather to sacrifice his life than reveal the secrets of Masonry.
Q. Why is the triangle, with the word secret on it, considered as the most precious jewel in Masonry? A. Because by its justness, equality, and proportion, it represents our redemption.
Q. By what mark was the place discovered where Hiram Abiff was buried by his assassins? A. By a sprig of cassia (say granate).
Q. For what reason do the Master Masons in the Symbolic Lodges speak of a sprig of cassia? A. Because the Sublime Grand Elected descendants of the ancient Patriarchs did not think proper to give the real name or truth of Masonry; therefore, they agreed to say that it was a sprig of cassia, because it had a strong smell.
Q. What are the reasons for the different knocks at the door to gain admittance? A. To know and be assured that they have passed the different degrees, which number we must understand.