Masonic Clothing And Regalia

 A chapter from "Fact Not Fiction" by © Worshipful Brother Joe Granger

“When attending formal lodge meetings brethren wear dark clothing; this may be simply a dark grey or black suit with white shirt, black tie, black socks and black shoes, or more formal wear such as morning suit - even in some lodges evening dress - all including white gloves. The regalia worn falls into two categories.

 First is the "apron" which every Mason wears. In the case of an Entered Apprentice it is a plain white soft leather apron, usually property of the lodge, as the brother only needs it for the limited period of his being in the First Degree. A Fellow Craft wears a similar white apron, with the addition of two blue rosettes. And on reaching the Third Degree this becomes a white apron with light blue edging, having three rosettes and silver tassels. This Master Mason's apron is presented to the brother on his being Raised to the Third Degree. Sometimes the lodge presents it, occasionally the brother's proposer or other friend. It remains his property and is worn until such time as he may be promoted to higher rank. The officers of the lodge usually wear similar Master Masons' aprons, sometimes with the insignia of their office on the apron, a form of a double circle in which is usually the lodge number and name, having the emblem of office central in white or silver. The Master and Past Masters wear similar aprs, but in place of rosettes are three sets of perpendicular lines on horizontal lines.

 Provincial and Grand Lodge officers have different aprons again, but this is not information necessary here. In addition to aprons, each officer wears a collar from which is suspended the emblem of his particular office. Collars are of standardised design, but the Master's collar is usually rather different, often being embellished with small plates bearing the names of past holders of the office.

 Usually the Master's apron, like his collar, is lodge property, being handed on to his successor in due time. The Master and his two Wardens wear cuffs which also carry insignia of office. The collars of officers of private lodges can only be worn in their own lodge, or if officially representing their lodge as Master or Wardens in Provincial or Grand Lodge meetings. Each officer of the lodge has his particular emblem or jewel of office suspended from his collar.

The so-called jewels are to some extent self explanatory and are as listed below. However, a Past Master's jewel is rather more intriguing, being the representation of the forty-seventh proposition of Euclid, engraved on silver plate suspended within a square. There are a number of theories, some quite fanciful, why this theorem of Euclid, attributed to Pythagoras, should be the emblem of a Past Master. The description by Dr James Anderson, who produced the first Constitutions, is probably as satisfactory as any: "The foundation of all Masonry, sacred, civil and military". The other officers' jewels are:

 Master of lodge: The Square

 Senior Warden: The Level

 Junior Warden: The Plumb Rule

 Chaplain: A Book on a Triangle surmounting a Glory

 Treasurer: A Key

 Secretary Two Pens in Saltire tied with a Ribbon

 Director of Ceremonies: Two Rods in Saltire tied with a Ribbon

 Deacons: A Dove bearing an Olive Branch

 Charity Steward: A Trowel

 Almoner: A Scrip-Purse on which is a Heart

 Organist: A Lyre

 Inner Guard: Two Swords in Saltire

 Tyler: A Sword

 Stewards: A Cornucopia between extended legs of Compasses

 Assistant DC & Secretary: As their counterparts, but in simpler design.

Most of these are the property of the lodge. It is a pleasant custom when a lodge is first formed for the Founders to present the jewels as gifts, sometimes each of the first officers presenting the jewel of his office. One final item, very important, is the lodge "banner" which stands near the Master's place when the lodge is open. It is literally a banner, usually measuring three or four feet wide by five or six feet deep, suspended from a staff by silken cords. The banner carries a design relative to the lodge, woven in silks, and including usually the name, number and date of original formation of the lodge. Many banners are quite magnificent, with most complex pictorial details including Masonic figuring. When not in use banners are often hung round the walls of the Temple or dining room, making a splendidly colourful backcloth.”