Keystone with Letters HTWSSTKS (Masonic)

MASONIC KEYSTONE WITH LETTERS HTWSSTKS - The Masonic Keystone, which is the Masonic mark of an Ancient Grand Master.  HTWSSTKS stands for "Hiram The Widow's Son Sent To King Solomon."  All third degree Freemasons study the story of a man named Hiram Abiff (a.k.a. Hiram the Widow’s Son.)  According to legend, Hiram was chief architect for the Temple of King Solomon. When evil non-believers tried to get the secret masonic passwords out of Hiram, he valiantly refused to tell them and as a result was killed.  In Masonic teachings, Hiram’s story is held up as an example of loyalty.

So, when you see HTWWTKS on someone’s headstone, you know that not only were they a Royal Arch Mason, but that they made it at least as far as the third degree in that fraternal order!