Virtus Junxit Mors Non Seperabit

This example comes from the highest degree of Scottish rite Freemasonry, the thirty third. The motto for this degree is, 'Virtus Junxit Mors Non Seperabit' - 'What Virtue Has Joined Together Death Shall Not Separate'.

It has a gematria value of 3160. This equates it firstly with the description of St John found in John's Gospel, 'That disciple whom Jesus loved' . We also find at 3161 the Greek words, To koaV crusou - 'The golden fleece'. This fits in with the ancient (Templar) identification of John as the 'Lamb of God'. These connections suggest that the ultimate pinnacle of Masonry unites the Mason to the master builder Christ with the same love that Christ bore to to his beloved disciple John.

We also find at this value an alchemical allusion for here is the conjunction of 'MIM' - water, and 'ASh' - fire, when both words are ennumerated in plenitude (1320 + 1841).

3160 is also a numerical key to the 28th degree, the Rosicrucian and cabalistic 'Knight of the Sun'. In the ritual of this degree there are 9 principle officers: representing the seven planetary angels and two figures personifying the extremities of human history - MIKAL, GBRIAL, RPhAL, TzPhRIAL, KMAL, AZRAL, AVRIAL + Thrice Perfect Father Adam & Brother Truth. These nine sum as 101 + 246 + 311 + 411 + 91 + 239 + 248 + 700 + 813 = 3160.