   thumb|right|250px|a cornerstone with bronze relief images the cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or replica, set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription on the stone indicating the construction dates of the building and the names of architect, builder and other significant individuals. the rite of laying a cornerstone is an important cultural component of eastern architecture and metaphorically in sacred architecture generally. the origins of this tradition are vague but its presence in judeo-christian countries can be associated with at least six quotations from the old testament (, , , , , ) and also six citations in the new testament (, , , ,  and ) and  quoted by the writer of the book of 1st peter in chapter 2, verse 6 . the writer of the book of ephesians makes clear that jesus is the cornerstone, of a faith rather than a building, referred to in the new testament . some cornerstones include time capsules from, or engravings commemorating the time a particular building was built. ==history==  often, the ceremony involved the placing of offerings of grain, wine and oil on or under the stone. these were symbolic of the produce and the people of the land and the means of their subsistence. this in turn derived from the practice in still more ancient times of making an animal or human{{citation | last = jarvis | first = william e. | authorlink = | title = time capsules: a cultural history | publisher = mcfarland & company | year = 2002 | location = | 
Architectural_elements Archives Ceremonies Christian_religious_objects Eastern_Catholicism Eastern_Christian_liturgy Eastern_Orthodoxy History_of_construction Stonemasonry