Lux Lucet in Tenebris, meaning “The Light Shines in the Darkness,” is more than a motto for Huguenot Lodge No. 2140 — it is a guiding truth, a moral compass, and a profound allegory that speaks to the very heart of Freemasonry.
This Latin phrase, appearing prominently beneath the Lodge’s emblem of a solitary candle surrounded by stars, is a call to illumination, to courage, and to spiritual resilience. It echoes a timeless principle: that in the midst of ignorance, hardship, persecution, or despair, light—symbolic of truth, wisdom, and hope—still endures.
Symbolism of the Candle and Stars
In Masonic tradition, light is the ultimate symbol of knowledge and enlightenment. The single candle represents the spark of truth that can dispel even the deepest darkness. It is a reminder that a single righteous soul, a single act of integrity, or a single moment of clarity can transform an entire space. In the context of the Huguenots—whose faith was tested by persecution—the candle signifies steadfastness and divine guidance during their journey from oppression to liberty.
Surrounding the candle are seven stars, reminiscent of both the seven liberal arts and sciences taught in Masonry and the Biblical imagery of the Seven Churches in Revelation. These stars guide and witness the light, much like the brethren of the Lodge support and uphold each other through fraternity and moral instruction.
Historical Resonance with the Huguenots
The motto Lux Lucet in Tenebris was historically associated with the Huguenot Protestants of France who faced exile and hardship during the 16th and 17th centuries for their beliefs. It was their defiant cry: a refusal to let their light be extinguished by the shadows of tyranny.
When they fled to England and other more tolerant countries, they brought with them not only their skilled craftsmanship and industriousness, but also this deep spiritual motto. By adopting this phrase, Huguenot Lodge No. 2140 honours their unyielding pursuit of truth and freedom—values that resonate powerfully with the Masonic journey of self-improvement and enlightenment.
The Masonic Allegory of Light
In Freemasonry, “coming to light” represents a personal awakening: the transition from ignorance to understanding, from chaos to order, and from selfishness to service. Lux Lucet in Tenebris embodies this journey. The Lodge becomes the sanctuary in which this light is nurtured, and every brother becomes both a bearer and a guardian of that flame.
This light is not only intellectual, but moral and spiritual. It calls us to act with charity, fortitude, and justice, especially in moments when such virtues may seem absent from the world around us. The true Mason carries his light into every domain—into his family, his profession, his community.
A Motto for Today’s World
In an age that often feels clouded by uncertainty, misinformation, and division, Lux Lucet in Tenebris reminds us that truth still exists. Brotherhood still matters. And no matter how dark the times may seem, the principles of Freemasonry offer a beacon—steady, quiet, but eternally radiant.
As members of Huguenot Lodge No. 2140, we strive to live this light—not just in our ceremonies, but in our actions, our relationships, and our service to others.
So let us carry the flame forward. Let it shine. Let it speak to the world:
“Lux Lucet in Tenebris.”