Foundation stone

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The foundation stone of a building or structure is intended to record for posterity the official start of its construction.

Usually, the foundations have normally been begun, and the stone is placed in a course of stones or bricks above the actual foundation, in such a position as to be visible.

Contents 1 Modern Practices 2 History 2.1 Freemasonry 3 See also

[edit] Modern Practices

In modern practice, normally, a VIP of the organization, or a local celebrity, will be invited to conduct the ceremony of figuratively beginning the foundations of the building, with the person's name and official position and the date being recorded on the stone. This person is usually asked to place their hand on the stone or otherwise signify its laying.

Often still, and certainly until the 1970s, most ceremonies involved the use of a specially manufactured and engraved trowel that had a formal use in laying mortar under the stone. Similarly, a special hammer was often used to ceremonially tap the stone unto place in the mortar. The implements were usually kept and displayed in the building or an associated place.^{[citation needed]}

An invitation for a person to lay the foundation stone normally implies a subsequent invitation to the official opening. There is some debate as to which occasion is more prestigious, however, the foundation stone is normally sought out as often as the stone or plaque used for the opening.^{[citation needed]}

The foundation stone often has a cavity into which is placed a time capsule containing newspapers of the day or week of the ceremony plus other artifacts that are typical of the period of the construction: Coins of the year may also be entombed in the cavity or time capsule. This procedure may also be copied at the official opening of the building.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

In ancient buildings, the foundation stone was placed at the north-east corner of the structure. This was thought to be an auspicious position.

Often, the ceremony involved the placing of offerings of grain, wine and oil on or under the stone. These were symbolic of the produce and the people of the land and the means of their subsistence. This in turn derived from the practice in still more ancient times of making an animal or human sacrifice that was laid in the foundations.

The Celts/Romans would sacrifice young children to appease the spirits of the river when building a bridge - common folklore of urchin spirits clinging onto bridges is a demonstration of the memory of that rite.

[edit] Freemasonry

In Freemasonry, which grew from the practice of stonemasons, the initiate (Entered Apprentice) is placed in the north-east corner of the Lodge as a figurative foundation stone.

The establishment of a new Masonic building is accompanied by a ceremony that perpetuates the formal ceremonies described above.

[edit] See also

• Topping out
• Builders' rites
• Phurba