FREEMASONS, TRAVELLING. The travelling Freemasons were a society existing in the middle ages, and consisting of learned men and prelates, under whom were operative masons. The operative masons performed the labors of the craft, and travelling from country to country, were engaged in the construction of cathedrals, monasteries, and castles. "There are few points in the history of the middle ages," says Godwin, "more pleasing to look back upon than the existence of the associated masons; they are the bright spot in the general darkness of that period; the patch of verdure when all around is barren." _The Builder_, ix. 463 G G. The use of the letter G in the Fellow Craft's degree is an anachronism. It is really a corruption of, or perhaps rather a substitution for, the Hebrew letter י (yod), which is the initial of the ineffable name. As such, it is a symbol of the life-giving and life-sustaining power of God. G.A.O.T.U. A masonic abbreviation used as a symbol of the name of God, and signifying the _Grand Architect of the Universe_. It was adopted by the Freemasons in accordance with a similar practice among all the nations of antiquity of noting the Divine Name by a symbol. GAVEL. What is called in Masonry a common gavel is a stone-cutter's hammer; it is one of the working tools of an Entered Apprentice, and is a symbol of the purification of the heart. GLOVES. On the continent of Europe they are given to candidates at the same time that they are invested with the apron; the same custom formerly prevailed in England; but although the investiture of the gloves is abandoned as a ceremony both there and in America, they are worn as a part of masonic clothing. They are a symbol of purification of life. In the middle ages gloves were worn by operative masons. GOD, UNITY OF. See _Unity of God_. GOD, NAME OF. See _Name_. GOLGOTHA. In Hebrew and Syriac it means _a skull_; a name of Mount Calvary, and so called, probably, because it was the place of public execution. The Latin _Calvaria_, whence Mount Calvary, means also a skull. GRAVE. In the Master's degree, a symbol which is the analogue of the pastos, or couch, in the ancient Mysteries. The symbolism has been Christianized by some masonic writers, and the grave has thus been referred to the sepulchre of Christ. GRIPS AND SIGNS. They are valuable only for social purposes as modes of recognition. H HAND. The hand is a symbol of human actions; pure hands symbolize pure actions, and impure or unclean hands symbolize impure actions. HARE. Among the Egyptians the hare was a hieroglyphic of _eyes that are open_, and was the symbol of initiation into the Mysteries of Osiris. The Hebrew word for _hare_ is _arnabet_, and this is compounded of two words that signify _to behold the light_. The connection of ideas is apparent.