What is a Lewis?

In operative use, a lewis is a device used by stonemasons to lift heavy stone blocks into place without damage
to the block’s external facing surfaces. The ability of a relatively small device such as a lewis to lift a heavy
burden has long been seen as a symbol of Strength. While there are several designs for a lewis, Freemasonry
has adopted the three-legged, or dovetail lewis in particular as a symbol of Strength. As a symbol, the lewis
was adopted very early by Freemasons as shown by the definition of the word in the Harris Masonic Manuscript
No.1 (c.1690) which states: “A Lewis is such an one as hath served an Apprenticeship to a Mason, but it is not
admitted afterwards according to the custom of making Masons.”

In modern usage, the son of a Mason is referred to as a Lewis, the analogy meaning that the father raised
(levatum) the son into position to take his place as part of the structure of Freemasonry. The analogy fits with
the symbol of Strength, because it is the son’s duty to “bear the heavy burden in the heat of the day and help
his parents in time of need.” This explanation comes from a catechism from a 1774 lecture by Preston:
Q. What do we call the son of a Freemason?
A. A Lewis
Q. What does that denote?
A. Strength
Q. How is a Lewis depicted in a Freemason's Lodge?
A. As a cramp of metal, by which, when fixed into a stone, great and ponderous weights are raised to a certain
height and fixed upon their proper bases, without which Operative Masons could not so conveniently do.
Q. What is the duty of a Lewis, the son of a Mason, to his aged parents?
A. To bear the heavy burden in the heat of the day and help them in time of need, which, by reason of their great
age, they ought to be exempted from, so as to render the close of their days happy and comfortable.
Q. His privilege for so doing?
A. To be made a Mason before any other person, however dignified by birth, rank, or riches, unless he, through
complaisance, waives this privilege.

The new brother first encounters the lewis in the penultimate paragraph of the Explanation of the First Tracing
Board which is devoted to the Lewis in the UGLQ Ritual which states in part: “…his privilege for so doing is to
be made a Mason before any other person however dignified.” The long-standing privilege of a Lewis is
therefore to be Initiated before any other candidate. In times past, this extended to a Lewis being eligible for
Initiation at the age of 18 while others were required to “be of full lawful age” (i.e. 21).

Within the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, the privilege of a Lewis is threefold:
1. Where a Lodge has several candidates waiting for initiation, the Lewis is entitled to be scheduled before
the other candidates.
2. Where the Lodge is performing a double initiation, the Lewis is to be obligated first.
3. A Lewis is entitled to wear a Lewis Jewel as outlined in the UGLQ Honours and Awards Manual.