In the 28th chapter of the Book of Genesis the vision of Jacob is recorded: while sleeping one night with the bare earth for his couch, and a stone for his pillow, Jacob beheld a ladder, whose foot rested on the earth and whose top reached to Heaven, Angels were continually ascending and descending upon it, and promised him the blessing of a happy posterity. On waking, Jacob consecrated the spot, and re-named it Bethel. The symbolism of a ladder as a means of progression through various gates, or degrees to achieve perfection is by no means restricted to the Jewish peoples, or to Freemasonry and the imagery abounds in many ancient initiations and mysteries. In many of these representations, the number of rungs is seven: a number which has always had associations of mystical character. The Masonic Ladder as represented in the First Degree is likewise considered to have seven rungs, which in order of ascent are:

Temperance

Fortitude

Prudence

Justice

Faith

Hope

Charity

Thus representing the four Cardinal Virtues and the three Theological Virtues. The foremost being the virtues of

Faith, Hope & Charity

Faith in the Great Architect of the Universe, Hope in salvation, and Charity towards all Men. Click for a full colour image of the First Degree Tracing Board