Altar
Every Masonic Lodge has an altar in the center. On this altar lies the Holy Bible, Square and Compass. Next to the altar are the three burning tapers.
The altar is where the Holy Bible, Square and Compass rest, where candidates for degrees take their obligations, and where the Master symboically draws his knowledge from.
The Holy Bible, Square and Compass represent the Three Great Light of Masonry. The Holy Bible alone is often refered to as the Great Light of Masonry, but the Sqaure teaches to keep us squared by the Square of Virtue, and the Compass teaches us to circumbscribe ourselves within due bounds.
The three buring tapers represent the Three Lesser Lights of Masonry; the Master, Sun and Moon. The master of a lodge much rule his lodge by the same regularity as the Sun rules the day and the Moon rules the night.