„Nathan der Weise“ als freimaurerisches Symbolspiel: die Spräche der Toleranz und Aufklärung („Nathan the Wise” as a masonic symbolic play: the language of tolerance and enlightenment)

This article examines the Masonic symbols and specific Masonic language in Gotthold Ephraim Lessing’s play Nathan the Wise. While the work is often understood as a plea for tolerance and interfaith dialogue within the context of the Enlightenment, less attention has been given to its deliberate use of symbols and terminology rooted in Masonic traditions. These elements emphasize universal brotherhood and moral ethics. The analysis highlights how Lessing subtly integrates these aspects into the narrative and dialogues to convey the core principles of Freemasonry—humanity, reason, and equality—in literary form. Particular attention is given to the imagery and metaphors that allude to Masonic rituals and values. The article demonstrates how Lessing’s embedded messages promote an ethical worldview that transcends religious boundaries, making the play a seminal text of the Enlightenment.