Virtual Tour of Frank Albo's Manitoba Legislative Building

Manitoba, eh?!

A virtual tour of the visual highlights of
Frank Albo's mysterious Manitoba Legislative Building

> > Albo's interpretations will appear in blue . < <

I would appreciate hearing your comments. Submissions will appear at the bottom of this page under 'Viewers' Comments'.
Contact Paul at paul-armstrong@mts.net

↓ This is an old postcard image of the exterior of the building as viewed from
the north-east.

Courtesy of Christine Warren

↓ This bird's-eye view reveals the symmetric patterns on the grounds of the building.
     The semi-circle on the right side is the driveway into the Lieutenant-Governor's residence.

From Google^TM Earth

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↓ The Golden Boy and the dome are viewed from the north-west side of the building.

↓ close-up views of the Golden Boy (a.k.a. Mercury, Hermes, Hermes Trismegistus)
     The statue's original name was Eternal Youth.




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↓ These are close-up views of the four statues surrounding the bottom of the dome.
     These statues represent Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.

↓ Agriculture [ Earth ]

↓ Industry [ Fire]

↓ Art [ Water ]

↓ Science [ Air ]

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↓ The six pillars are on the front (north) side of the building.
     The area between the pillars and the entrance is the portico.
     The triangular section containing the figures is the pediment.
     The west-facing sphinx is located to our right of the pediment.
     The east-facing sphinx (not visible in this image) is located to our left of the pediment.
     The room where the security desk is located (accessed through the north side door) is known as the vestibule.

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↓ close-ups of the 2 sphinxes

↓ Note the Egyptian hieroglyphics on its chest. They translate as "The firm/lasting manifestation of Re (or Ra), the good god who has given life."
    The oval, with hieroglyphics inside, is the cartouche of the pharoah Thutmosis III, who is of importance to some Freemasons.

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↓ In the pediment, the central figure is known as Lady Manitoba .

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↓ The south side (and the west & east sides) has four pillars.

Albo discovered numerous occurences of the numbers 5, 8, and 13 in the building. They are to be found primarily in the area between the north entrance and the back of the legislative chamber.
5, 8, and 13 are members of a set of numbers known as the Fibonacci sequence,
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, & continuing on without end.

For more information about these numbers, click here .

In the following section, occurences of these Fibonacci numbers will appear in red.

↓ A view from the underside of the portico reveals a 5 -petalled Flower.

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↓ This window is located in the portico.
     The window is 3 sections across and 5 sections in height.
     Each section consists of 8 panes of glass.
     There are 13 circles around the perimeter.

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↓ This lion's head is situated on the west side of the portico.

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↓ This feature is situated to the right (and another to the left) of the north entrance & under the portico.
     Within the red corners are located 21 vertical concave formations.

↓ There are 13 stones located in the archway. It is between the vestibule (security desk room) and the grand staircase room. -- The red lines have been added for clarification.

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↓ The grand staircase is situated in the grand staircase hall.
     The room equates to the outer chamber of King Solomon's Temple.
     The room is also known as the Room of Protection.

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↓ The grand staircase hall contains the traditional 5 elements of protection that are found in ancient temples. They are present to banish/dispel evil and to 'cleanse' the inhabitants of the building.

↓2 statues of bulls
[The image below appears in Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg".]

↓the head of Medusa [left side] and ↓ the head of Athena [right side],



↓cattle/ox skulls (bukrania) -- there are 8 in the room

↓ heads of lions -- there are 16 in the room (4 per wall)

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↓ This skylight is located above the grand staircase.
     Sunlight, provided by Re, enters the hall and empowers the 5 elements of protection.
     The rectangle in the centre is 3 units by 5.

For more Fibonacci numbers within this skylight, click here .

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↓ The bottom section of the grand staircase consists of 13 steps.

↓ There are 3 sections of 13 steps in the grand staircase.

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↑ In the above image, note the 2 pillars at the top of the grand staircase.
     2 Chronicles 3:17 states "And he (Solomon) reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz."
     There are other pairs of pillars in this area of the building.

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↓ This pattern is known as Vitruvian scroll, and it is found on the grand staircase.
     For information about Vitruvius and Vitruvian Man, click here .

↓ Vitruvian scrolls appear in the ceiling above the staircase.

↓ There are others to be found in the building.

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↓ This feature in found in the grand staircase room.

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↓ These squares are situated on the floor of the grand staircase room.

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↓ This is one of the four crosses in the skylight of the grand staircase hall.

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↓ Appearing as 2 groups of 2, these caryatids (female figures) in the Porch of Maidens are located on the north wall of the grand staircase hall.

     For an image showing similar caryatids as an equally-spaced group of 4
at the Acropolis in Athens, click here .

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↓ These 7 circles are situated below the Porch of Maidens.
     'Seven' occurs in the number of days in the week, the seven-branched menorah, the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, etc.
     For other occurences of the number 7, click here .

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↓ The pattern inside the red figure is known as the Grecian Key [a.k.a. the Greek Key].
     Located on the east (& west) wall in the grand staircase hall, the pattern repeats itself 11 times above each arch & between two lions' heads.

↓ Since there are 5 of these arches, there are 55 occurences of this pattern on each wall.

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↓ There are 21 limestone blocks that form this arch on the east side of the grand staircase room. There are 5 similar arches on this side of the room.
     An identical arrangement occurs on the west side.
     On the floor are the marble bases that support these blocks.

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↓ This bench in the grand staircase hall has 3 legs.

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↓ These two images are of the two north corners of the grand staircase hall.
     The floor of this room is a square where the length of each side measures 66.6 feet.
     In Egyptian astronomy, the number 666 was assigned to our Sun.
     In 1 Kings 10:14, it is stated, "The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents ...".
     In 2 Chronicles 9:13 is recorded,"The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold ..."

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↓ There are groups of 3 rectangles in the railing, some containing diagonals. Note the vertical groupings of 3 columns that are above the groups of 5 knobs & between the 5 circles.

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↓ This flower is in the grand staircase hall. There are 8 petals in the inner row. The following row also consists of 8 petals.
     Near the centre of the flower, there may be a representation of 8 stamens.

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↓ These 2 circles are on the ceiling of the grand staircase room. This pattern is repeated four times on the ceiling, combining for a total of 8 circles.

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↓ At the top of the grand staircase, 5 circles & groups of 5 knobs appear.

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↓ The rectangle (inside the red corners) is located at the top of the grand staircase. Its height (its narrowest side) has been measured as 22 & 1/4 inches.
     As an improper fraction, this is equal to 89/4.

↓ This circular room, the rotunda, is located to the south [straight ahead) of the top of the grand staircase. The two people in the room help to illustrate the size of the area. [The room is actually grey in colour.]
     The rotunda is equated with the inner chamber of King Solomon's Temple.
     The circular balustrade, 13 feet in diameter, is found in the centre of the rotunda.
     The balustrade is the hub, and the whole rotunda floor is a geometric wheel.
     The balustrade possesses 44 pillars.

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↓ This Grecian Key [a.k.a. Greek Key] pattern is located on the marble floor of the rotunda ↑.
     This pattern is slightly different from the previous example of the Grecian Key.
     This image could be interpreted as containing the numeral 21.

↓ This image shows these 21's occur in groups of 13.

↑ The above numbers could also be interpreted as either:
      (a) non-Fibonacci numbers 12, 212, or 121, etc.
      (b) a series of 1's and 2's.

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↓ The Black Star [a.k.a. the Blazing Star] is seen while looking down through the balustrade. This object is in the Pool of the Black Star that is located on the main floor of the building.
     The Black Star and the balustrade combine together to form the altar of King Solomon's Temple.
     Also, the rotunda and the black star work together to re-enact an astronomical phenomenon known as the Precession of the Equinoxes. For information, click here .
     There will be more information on the Black Star later in this virtual tour.

↓ When a Masonic candidate is asked, "What are the ornaments in a Lodge?", his response is supposed to be: "The Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star in the centre."
     The mosaic pavement is the inlay pattern of small black squares or diamonds decorating the floor.
     The indented tessel is an ornamented border which surrounds the mosaic pavement.

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↓ With a winged hat, this figure in the rotunda is possibly that of Mercury/Hermes.
     There are 4 such figures in the room.

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↓ This 5-petalled flower is in the rotunda. Note other groupings of 5 items. [The colour in this image should be grey.]

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↓ Directly above the rotunda is the interior of the dome on which the Golden Boy stands.
     There are flowers and rectangles in groups of 5 in this image.

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↓ This image shows the area around the perimeter of the interior of the dome that appears in the previous image.↑
Forming a circle in this area are 72 large rectangular solids and 288 smaller blocks. Also, there are 216 of the tooth-like features.
     (a) 72 is one-half of 144.
     (b) 288 is two times larger than 144.
     (c) The square root of (72 times 288) equals 144.
     (d) If straight lines were added to join the 72 large blocks to the centre of the circle, 72 five-degree angles would be created.

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↓ In the rotunda, the Roman standard lamps each contain 13 bulbs.

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↓ The base of the lamp in the above image ↑ contains 3 groups of 3 toes.

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↓ On the south wall of the rotunda, this mural by Frank Brangwyn is depicting
World War I.

↓ This is a close-up of the mural above ↑, and it appears to contain an image of the Madonna and Jesus as a child. The mural may be depicting the 'passion of Christ' with the man with the torn shirt (in the previous image) representing Jesus.
     In the Masonic ritual involving the initiation of an new member to the organization, the person bares a portion of his breast.

↓ Located to the east of the rotunda are the doors that form the entrance to the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room. There is a cord across the entrance to the room.
     The Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room equates to the Inner Sanctum [a.k.a. the Holy of Holies, the Sanctum Sanctorum] of Solomon's Temple, which was said to house the Ark of the Covenant.
     The room has the same dimensions as the inner sanctum of the temple as described in the Bible, being 20 cubits square with each cubit being 14.4 inches (a Mason's cubit). Each side of the room is therefore 24 feet in length.
     Note the two pillars in this image.

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↓ These mirrors face each other from the north & south walls of Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room.
     Images are reflected repeatedly in these mirrors.



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↓ This copper spitton is located in the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room. Note the image of a sphinx & a palm tree on its surface.



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↓ This blue curtain is located across the window in the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room .
     In King Solomon's Temple, a blue curtain/veil covered the Arc of the Covenant.

↓ This is the War Chest that is situated on the roof of the east side of the building. It is directly above the Lieutenant Governor's Reception Room.
     The War Chest has been constructed according to the same proportions as the Ark of the Covenant.
     A similar Peace Chest, with figures of females, is located on the west side of the structure.

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↓ South of the rotunda, and behind Frank Brangwyn's mural of WWI is found the entrance to the legislative chamber.
     Within the yellow figure is one of 13 circles around the door.

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↓ A series of 21's appear on the left side of this image from above the door to the legislative chamber.
     The numbers on the right may be interpreted as either:
      (a) non-Fibonacci numbers 15 or 51 or 151, etc.
      (b) a series of 1's and 5's.

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↓ On the lamps to the left and right of the entrance to the legislative chamber are these back-to-back faces.
     The face on the right, looking toward the centre of the room, appears to be that of a male. The other face seems to that of a female.
     The offspring of Hermes and Aphrodite were half-male and half-female and called Hermaphroditos.
     Hermes was also the father of Pan, who had a human torso but the legs of a goat.

↓ These creatures are located at the legs of the above lamps ↑.

↓ This view is of a leg and foot of the above lamps ↑.

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↓ These 8 petals & groups of 8 'curved rectangles' are located in the skylight in the legislative chamber.

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↓ The murals within this room were done by Vincent Tack.
     This mural contains the Tree of Life that was mentioned in Revelations.

↓ A partial view of the left side of the mural

↓ A partial view of the right side of the mural

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↓ The desks inside the legislative chamber are arranged in the shape of a horseshoe or the letter 'U'.
     'U' is the 21st letter of the alphabet.
     The legislative chamber is 34 feet 6 inches wide. People standing at opposite ends of the chamber may whisper and they will hear one another clearly.
     The chairs are arranged in 3 rows on each side. There are 2 groups of 3 chairs on either side. Also, there are 2 groups of 8 chairs.

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↓ A statue of Moses appears in the left image. That is Solon in the image on the eight.



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↓ Two �horns� are located upon the forehead of Moses.

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↓ This sphinx (and others) is located in the legislative chamber.

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↓ This lion (and others) is to found in the legislative chamber.

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↓ This shows a section (in front of the press gallery in the legislative chamber) that contains 11 long, narrow ovals.

↓ There are 5 such sections present. Therefore, 55 ovals exist here.

↑ The press gallery, in the previous image, has 13 chairs.

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↓ There are 3 rows of benches located in the visitors' gallery above the legislative chamber.

↓ This circular room is the Pool of the Black Star, and it is situated under the rotunda and on the main floor.
     It contains an 8-sided star.
     The circle matches the 13 foot diameter of the balustrade.
     The Black Star and the balustrade combine together to form the altar of King Solomon's Temple.
     In another context, the Black Star represents Venus and Ishtar.

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↓ There are 3 steps descending into this area.

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↓ This is Hermaphroditos [or Pan, on the right] that is located in the Pool of the Black Star. The female figure, on the left, is facing the Black Star.

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When in the Pool of the Black Star, try these two exercises:
          (a) Stand approx. 1/2 between the Black star & the wall. Clap your hands or stamp your feet or shout. Your echo will repeat itself many times.
          (b) Repeat the same exercise while standing on the Black Star. There will be a different type of echo. To some, the effect is similar to speaking into a microphone.

On the second floor, there is a rectangular walkway around the Grand Staircase Room from which may be seen:
↓ This 'wreath & ribbon' is situated on the ceiling between the grand staircase and the rotunda.

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↓ This is one of the Pompeii lamps to be found on the second floor.

↓ On one of the aisles on the second floor are these 5 Pompeii lamps.

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↓ A ram's head is to be found in the railing on the second floor.

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↓ The Manitoba Room is situated on the second floor on the north side of the building.
     This image is of 2 groups of 13 octagons (8-sided) on the ceiling of the Manitoba Room.

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↓ These are the 3 legs of one of the round tables situated in the Manitoba Room.

↓ a close-up of one of the sphinxes on the legs

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↓ This window in the Manitoba Room has 17 circles on its perimeter.
     There are ? similar windows in the room.
     By combining any two windows, 34 circles will result.

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↓ At the top of exterior of this elevator near the Governor-General's room, there appears to be a series of 21's similar to those in the rotunda.

There are other objects of interest on the building's exterior and on the grounds.

↓ As viewed from above, the building in the shape of the letter 'H'.
     (a) 'H' is the 8th letter of the alphabet.
     (b) 'H' is the first letter of the name of Hermes.

This image has captured from Google Earth.

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↓ This letter 'M' is located above the entrance to the south door. -- 'M' is the 13th letter of the alphabet.

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↓ This lamp containing 5 bulbs is situated outside the building on its north side.

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↓ This is a statue of General Wolfe who is claimed by some to have introduced Freemasonry to Canada. His statue is on the west side of the building.

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↓ An obelisk forms the bottom section in the statue of Georges-�tienne Cartier that appears on the grounds to the north-east of the building.

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↓ This statue of St. George of England is located on the back of the statue of
Queen Victoria that is located on the north side of the building.

--- Viewers' Comments ---

Martin 'Buster' Balodis (Winnipeg):
Why are there 16 lions (4 on each wall) in the grand staircase room? The "main" chamber is for "Protection". In all protection rituals, the 4 elements (fire, water, air and earth) have to be invoked towards the 4 directions [north, south, east, west] (or "watchtowers" to use the Greek "magick ritual" reference).
The male figures on the lamps (outside the entrance to the legislative chamber and around the Pool of the Black star) are satyrs. The figures have 2 tuffs of hair on the face, pointed ears, and goats' feet on the bases of the lamps. "Pan" is the proper name of a satyr used by Shakespeare in one of his plays. -- The female figures are nymphs, because they are the counterpart of the satyrs. They are almost always found together (in a way, like a Greek version of Yin and Yang - one always needs the other).    [Added by Paul -- Is Hermes the father of Pan?]
The wreaths are a symbol of the Earth. The "alchemy" symbol for the Earth is a circle with an X or equal-armed cross. A female figure is "crowned" with a wreath of leaves (a plant of some sort) to represent an "earth goddess." For example, most images of "Mother Earth" show her with a wreath of flowers. With a male figure, the wearing of a wreath means "power on Earth" or having the power of the earth. That is why Olympic champions were given a wreath to wear.

Name unknown (Winnipeg):
A Mason stated that the left breast, not the right breast as shown in the mural, is exposed in the rite of initiation.

Names unknown (Winnipeg):
One Mason suggested that the four crosses in the skylight were those of the Knights Templar. Another Mason thought that they are rosy crosses of the Rosicrucians.

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This image has captured from Google Earth.