The English word free is derived from the Old English freo “free, exempt from, not in bondage,” also “noble; joyful,” from Proto-Germanic *frijaz (cognates: Old Frisian fri, Old Saxon and Old High German vri, German frei, Dutch vrij, Gothic freis “free.” All these languages derive their meaning from the Greek word “phry” which has the same meaning.
In the history of the brotherhood of the East and West over the last 2,000-3,000 years, not every nation or people were considered free or free-men. Some of the first recorded people to have been specifically called free were known by the Greek word ‘Phrygians,’ Фр£ог meaning ‘free men’. The Phrygians came from a country that in mythology and history books was called Phrygia, and today is known as the Mediterranean island of Crete.
These people from Crete I have written about numerous times in the past. They have been known by plethora of various names just like the island of Crete has been called Arcadia, Caphtor, Candia, Minoa, Cappadocia, Phrygia etc. For example, the people of Crete have been called Cretans, Minoans, Philistines, Jews, Hellenes, Phoenicians, and the Sea Peoples just to name a few. This was the birthplace to not only modern civilization, but it was also the home of almost all the Greek Gods, many Cretan Kings, royal Jewish families, Roman Emperors, Gnostics, Christianity and some of the first Fathers and Saints of the Church.
According to Herodotus and Strabo, these people were originally known as the Phoenicians who accompanied Cadmus out of Phoenicia, and were to settle on and around Mount Ida on the island of Crete. Homer had said that one of their rulers was known as ‘Idomensus,’ the grandson of the ruler of Knossos. Idomensus was said to have fought side by side with the Achaeans against the Trojans in the Trojan War. The children of Idomensus were whom Homer had called the royal and warlike ‘Idomen,‘ and who we would know of today as the Judeans (Idaeans, Tribe of Judah).
In the bible, the Tribe of Judah was the leading tribe of the Kingdom of Judah, and occupied most of the territory of the kingdom. Jesus Christ is also a member of the tribe of Judah. Eventually, the tribe of Judah was conquered, but the special religious roles decreed for the Levis and Kohanim were preserved. Crete would be invaded by their Roman cousins and these people would be subjugated by their Roman masters. This happened in approximately 70 A.D. during the great Judean rebellion and siege of Jerusalem.
But even in the Roman Empire, the priestly Levites and Kohanim were given special roles and tax free statuses in Rome. Hence, they became what the Doctor of the Church, Saint Bede had called, attached to the church. These were the only freemen left of the Tribe of Judah, the Jews and the ancient people of Crete who would be considered Phrygians, freemen or freemasons.
For example, It is said, that in order to make some amends to the Kohanim of Kos for the loss of such a valuable treasure of their island, Augustus had given them special taxation status and would forgive a considerable part of their annual tribute to Rome. In 53 A.D., the Roman Emperor Claudius had granted the Kohen (Cohen, Kohain; Hebrew: כֹּהֵן, plural כֹּהֲנִים Kohanim) immunity from taxes. These are the first non-Roman people in recorded history who were given such tax free privileges from Rome.
As the Roman Empire started to grow, they devised a system where Roman slaves could also obtain their freedom. This is when the word Phrygian had become part of history. As part of the Roman ceremonies when a slave would obtain his freedom, he had his head shaven, and then placed upon his head, the Phrygian Cap which was also known as the Cap of Liberty. This cap became the iconic symbol of freedom with the phrase “servos ad pileum vocare” to call the slaves to the Pileus (or cap). Often, these slaves would win their freedom by taking up arms with the Roman army with the promise of future liberty as the reward symbolized by the Phrygian Cap.
The Phrygian Cap was also known as the Mithraic Cap, and sacrificial Cap. This cap was also worn by the priesthood who were freemen during a sacrifice.
British Freemason and Rosicrucian, Hargrave Jennings had written in his Rosicrucians; “Their Rites and Mysteries says that the Phrygian Cap, the classic Mithraic Cap, sacrificial Cap, and mitre all derive from one common ancestor.”
This common ancestor may be known as Attis, Atys, Attes (Ancient Greek: Ἄττις or Ἄττης). The name Attis signifies “The Sinner,” and according to Herodotus, he was known as the son of the god. The Phrygians are said to be the oldest race in Asia Minor who worshiped Attys as the “only begotten son,”and as a savior.
It is Attis who is often depicted in art in a tunic, tucked up, and wearing a Phrygian cap.
Other ancestors who wore the Phrygian caps were the three Jews called Shadrach and his two companions, Meshach and Abednego who were well known for their exclusive devotion to God and mentioned in the book of Daniel Chapters 1–3. They were three Jews born from royal families in the tribe of Judah. They are said to have been saved by divine intervention from the Babylonian execution of being burned alive in a fiery furnace under King Nebuchadnezzar. Eventually he would give them powerful positions in the king’s court and over the whole province of Babylon.[v.24-30]. In art, they are almost always depicted wearing the Phrygian cap. Later King Nebuchadnezzar even had made a legal decree, whereby people of any nation who say anything against the God of the Jews are to be killed.
Later is history, those freemen who would wear the Phrygian Cap would prove themselves to be possessors of initiate knowledge. A sign of the “Enlightened.”
The Phrygian cap was worn by the revolutionists during the masonic French Revolution in the 18th century. After the overthrow of the French Monarchy, the French Declaration of Human Rights was said to be officially recorded as the Masonic values of the new French government, whose new motto was “Liberté, Égalité et Fraternité” (Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood). The official document of the Declaration of Human Rights is guarded by Masonic pillars and contains several occult symbols such as the all seeing eye of God, and the red phrygian cap, a symbol of freemen or freemasons representing the enlightened ones.
Moe is the founder of GnosticWarrior.com. He is a father, husband, author, martial arts black belt, and an expert in Gnosticism, the occult, and esotericism.
My name is Freije, is is clear that Phrygi is the original name. My family always spoke of of many things you say in your articles about the relationship of the Phrygians to so many other ‘tribes.’ What I find so convincing is the phonics and spelling; i.e. F = PH, r = r, then e-i-j-g-y having cross over sounds and application. The history of the Phrygian people is in me, no doubt about. For example, people have asked me if I am alien (the Greeks said they believed the Phrygians had sexual relations with aliens; I have other explanations for my rare personality.) I was a Master/Doctor of the most difficult to accomplish hands on skilled trade in the auto industry; have skilled trade experience; have travelled a great deal in my life, and play over 350 musical instruments (on two different keyboard synthesizers)–never having any training or schooling in music. The IRS/TIGTA/FBI have ALL been to my home, the FBI also to my and work, and made death threats relative to my publications of corruption regarding the evil govt of america. I am NOT bragging, in fact, all the aforementioned NEGATIVE experience has been exceedingly painful to my consciousness; and I get virtually ZERO positive feedback when I attempt to explain the situations. Few people are even interested and many call me delusional and a liar; which of course is explainable in terms of psychology and psychiatry; two of my most studied areas. I am published internationally, 1991; my work provided the missing link to hundreds of years of study that “experts” overlooked and ridiculed me for bringing to the surface; UNTIL they saw the results (two professors published my work and gave me 3rd credit–but I contacted the publisher who reprinted the study in my name. The results are undeniable relative to personality type and procreation demographics; and can be seen virtually everywhere at all times, once people realize what they seeing and hearing). Currently, I live on small, remote pacific island that is inhabited by people who refuse to let go of their primitive cultures. I am hated on the island, am planning to move, but once again, my assets are tied up in another totally corrupt/racist/jealousy based legal trial (actually two different trials). Sorry if I bore you about this fact of reality. HOWEVER, you mention that you have written about the Phrygian people in the past; can you direct me to those articles? I have researched the Phrygian family for years (some records are totally bazare and ridiculous), and was told a great deal about our history from my ancestors; most of which is 100% confirmed by more accurate scholarly reviews of the same. I am also amazed at the chaos and confusion that surrounds their “alien” persona. Thanks a million. I enjoy reading your work.
Ronald Patrick Marriott
on August 2, 2020 at 1:23 pm
My bloodline goes back to before Charles Martel… the Grail. This bloodline goes to Charlemagne to William the Conquror cousins to Sinclare/scottish to the start of the Knights Templar and Freemasons. This is NOT a hebrew or jewish bloodline but Greek. Pantara Jesus father to Mariamne (greek) the tower lady or Master.
Knights Templar were not named for Temple Mount but the Temple of Isis where they got the signature Knights Templar cross as their icon.
Freemasons were referred to as ‘free men’ because they were among a small class of people who could travel freely from one country or region to another as they were employed to build temples & palaces for many different kings & nations. In medieval Europe a man wishing to leave his fiefdom to travel to another would first need permission from his feudal lord & was often times required to leave his wife or daughter in the care of the lord to ensure his return. Freemasons were not subject to these rules of travel. It is one of the ancient charges of Freemasons to be respectful of the religions, laws, and customs of the lands they were working in. In biblical times Masons were loved by Nimrod who considered himself to be one of them. They were mainly from Tyre & were thought to be descended from the Phoenicians or ‘boat people’. After the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon entered into a partnership with Hiram King of Tyre to build a massive naval fleet for the purpose of trade & exploration. So Freemasons have always been travelers & today’s Freemasons still refer to themselves as “Traveling men”.
More than likely, since this is Freemasonry we are talking about, they used multiple things to put together what to call themselves.
Moe, I think you and Matt both have something there, since like other Masonic symbols, the name also is multiple things at once.
I think the writings of Albert Pike musing about various parts of the Bible, often seemingly at random, got me on the scent of this subject. Following his thought patterns, I found this verse, which is like a code-breaking answer-key to Freemasonry.
In the Old Testament, God (who is the Demiurge in Gnostic thought) says this:
“Exodus 20:25 If you make a stone altar for Me, you must not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.”
Whoever came up with this was highly intelligent.
Masonry is quite literally the art of cutting stone, with which to build things. With this verse as the cypher, “cutting stone” is a metaphor for purposeful opposition against the Demiurge!
So, we are shown “Free Masonry”, something like “The Liberated Defilers of the Demiurge” or even “The Liberated Defilers of the worship of the Demiurge”, or something right in that neighborhood.
In addition, the altar in a Masonic Lodge is often the center of activity; a cut stone altar as a continual reminder of their purpose, for those in the know.
Germanic *frijaz (cognates: Old Frisian fri, Old Saxon and Old High German vri, German frei, Dutch vrij, Gothic freis “free.” All these languages derive their meaning from the Greek word “phry” which has the same meaning.
My name is Freije, is is clear that Phrygi is the original name. My family always spoke of of many things you say in your articles about the relationship of the Phrygians to so many other ‘tribes.’ What I find so convincing is the phonics and spelling; i.e. F = PH, r = r, then e-i-j-g-y having cross over sounds and application. The history of the Phrygian people is in me, no doubt about. For example, people have asked me if I am alien (the Greeks said they believed the Phrygians had sexual relations with aliens; I have other explanations for my rare personality.) I was a Master/Doctor of the most difficult to accomplish hands on skilled trade in the auto industry; have skilled trade experience; have travelled a great deal in my life, and play over 350 musical instruments (on two different keyboard synthesizers)–never having any training or schooling in music. The IRS/TIGTA/FBI have ALL been to my home, the FBI also to my and work, and made death threats relative to my publications of corruption regarding the evil govt of america. I am NOT bragging, in fact, all the aforementioned NEGATIVE experience has been exceedingly painful to my consciousness; and I get virtually ZERO positive feedback when I attempt to explain the situations. Few people are even interested and many call me delusional and a liar; which of course is explainable in terms of psychology and psychiatry; two of my most studied areas. I am published internationally, 1991; my work provided the missing link to hundreds of years of study that “experts” overlooked and ridiculed me for bringing to the surface; UNTIL they saw the results (two professors published my work and gave me 3rd credit–but I contacted the publisher who reprinted the study in my name. The results are undeniable relative to personality type and procreation demographics; and can be seen virtually everywhere at all times, once people realize what they seeing and hearing). Currently, I live on small, remote pacific island that is inhabited by people who refuse to let go of their primitive cultures. I am hated on the island, am planning to move, but once again, my assets are tied up in another totally corrupt/racist/jealousy based legal trial (actually two different trials). Sorry if I bore you about this fact of reality. HOWEVER, you mention that you have written about the Phrygian people in the past; can you direct me to those articles? I have researched the Phrygian family for years (some records are totally bazare and ridiculous), and was told a great deal about our history from my ancestors; most of which is 100% confirmed by more accurate scholarly reviews of the same. I am also amazed at the chaos and confusion that surrounds their “alien” persona. Thanks a million. I enjoy reading your work.
My bloodline goes back to before Charles Martel… the Grail. This bloodline goes to Charlemagne to William the Conquror cousins to Sinclare/scottish to the start of the Knights Templar and Freemasons. This is NOT a hebrew or jewish bloodline but Greek. Pantara Jesus father to Mariamne (greek) the tower lady or Master.
Knights Templar were not named for Temple Mount but the Temple of Isis where they got the signature Knights Templar cross as their icon.
Freemasons were referred to as ‘free men’ because they were among a small class of people who could travel freely from one country or region to another as they were employed to build temples & palaces for many different kings & nations. In medieval Europe a man wishing to leave his fiefdom to travel to another would first need permission from his feudal lord & was often times required to leave his wife or daughter in the care of the lord to ensure his return. Freemasons were not subject to these rules of travel. It is one of the ancient charges of Freemasons to be respectful of the religions, laws, and customs of the lands they were working in. In biblical times Masons were loved by Nimrod who considered himself to be one of them. They were mainly from Tyre & were thought to be descended from the Phoenicians or ‘boat people’. After the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon entered into a partnership with Hiram King of Tyre to build a massive naval fleet for the purpose of trade & exploration. So Freemasons have always been travelers & today’s Freemasons still refer to themselves as “Traveling men”.
More than likely, since this is Freemasonry we are talking about, they used multiple things to put together what to call themselves.
Moe, I think you and Matt both have something there, since like other Masonic symbols, the name also is multiple things at once.
I think the writings of Albert Pike musing about various parts of the Bible, often seemingly at random, got me on the scent of this subject. Following his thought patterns, I found this verse, which is like a code-breaking answer-key to Freemasonry.
In the Old Testament, God (who is the Demiurge in Gnostic thought) says this:
“Exodus 20:25 If you make a stone altar for Me, you must not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.”
Whoever came up with this was highly intelligent.
Masonry is quite literally the art of cutting stone, with which to build things. With this verse as the cypher, “cutting stone” is a metaphor for purposeful opposition against the Demiurge!
So, we are shown “Free Masonry”, something like “The Liberated Defilers of the Demiurge” or even “The Liberated Defilers of the worship of the Demiurge”, or something right in that neighborhood.
In addition, the altar in a Masonic Lodge is often the center of activity; a cut stone altar as a continual reminder of their purpose, for those in the know.
It actually comes from the Egyptian “Phree-Massen” meaning Sons of Light. Look into a guy named Hilton Hotema.
i was wondering why this info was not in here.
Your work is thorough and scholarly as always. Keep up the great work and may peace be with you!
Thanks for the kind words Mick.