Archive for October, 2008
The lambskin or white leather apron is an emblem of innocence, the distinguished badge of a mason. It is presented to the new Mason upon their first entrance into the Ancient Craft;—Freemasonry’s first gift to the neophyte. It was presented to the initiates of centuries ago in the Ancient Mysteries;;—a sign and token that the virile energy of manhood was not inconsistent with sex purity; a symbol of that control and restraint upon the animal passions and carnal lusts which prove a man free;—slave not even to his baser self. The apron means all this to freemasons, but it means more. There is something better than the cold chastity of the purist; something stronger than the placid purity of the devotee; something nobler than the icy innocence of the ascetic. This apron comes to us freemasons as the symbol of service, the badge of our masonry, sign and token that we are builders. To every freemason comes his work; or, if it does not come it is for him to go to it. To some it is given to do great things. To every freemason is it given to do his greatest thing; striving, not to be better than others, but, day by day, to be better than himself. And also, day by day, to make ihe world better for others. So is the lambskin or white leather apron presented to the Entered Apprentice, not in reward but that it may be worn as the uniform of a high and holy service, an emblem, that is symbolically adorned with that nobiest of mottoes “Ich Dien” ;— I serve. Thus worn, the apron can be soiled only by sloth, can be stained only by idleness. It is purest and whitest when worn in self-forgetting labour for others. In many instances, in addition to the white leather apron, a Masonic Ring is presented to the new Master Mason.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite is one of two largest concordant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Craft lodge masonry. The Scottish Rite work expands and elaborates on the lessons of the three Craft lodge degrees. As with Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite is not a religion, and it is nondenominational, although it does require a belief in a Supreme Being. The Scottish Rite, sometimes called the “College of Freemasonry”, uses extensive dramatic plays and allegory to emphasize the messages of its degrees. A freemason, after viewing these dramas, will eventually attain the 32nd degree in Scottish Rite masonry. To a non-mason this may sound like the member is a high ranking mason, however, this would be a misconception. The highest degree in Freemasonry is the 3rd or Master Mason degree. Degrees as they relate to the Scottish Rite indicate the level of knowledge that a Master Mason has attained. It would be rather awkward to allude to a member as an Act 32 freemason. In the Scottish Rite, the 33rd degree, an honourary degree, is bestowed on members of the Scottish Rite who have given outstanding service to Freemasonry or to their communities. In the Scottish Rite a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies — Lodge of Perfection, Rose Croix, and Consistory.Examples of Masonic Rings and Scottish Rite Rings can be found at www.foxjewelry.net
First of all; the person wanting to become a Mason must be a man (it’s a fraternity), sound in body and mind, who believes in God, is at least the minimum age required by Masonry in his state, and has a good reputation.Those are the only “formal” requirements. But there are others, not so formal. He should believe in helping others. He should believe there is more to life than pleasure and money. He should be willing to respect the opinions of others. And he should want to grow and develop as a human being.One way to identify a Master Mason is by the Masonic Ring normally worn on the right hand. The Masonic Ring is most oftern recognized because of the Compass and Square on the top of the ring.
Often times we think of religion when we think of ritual, but ritual is used in every day life. It’s so much a part of us that we just don’t notice it. Ritual simply means doing things routinely the same way each time.
Many times school assemblies start with the principal or some other official calling for the attention of the group. Then the group is led in the Pledge of Allegiance.That’s a ritual.
Most groups use Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct a meeting. That’s probably the best-known book of ritual in the world.
There are social rituals which tell us how to meet people (we shake hands), how to join a conversation (we wait for a pause, and then speak. These are just examples of rituals that we use in every day life.
Masonry uses a ritual because it’s an effective way to teach important ideas. Masonry’s ritual is very rich because it is so old. It has developed over centuries to contain some beautiful language and ideas expressed in symbols. But there’s nothing unusual in using ritual. All of us do it every day.
There is a ritual performed when becoming a Master Mason. Sometimes part of that ritual may be presenting the new Master Mason with a Master Masonic Ring.
Symbolism isn’t just important in the design of Masonic jewelry; how the wearer displays a ring is just as significant as the compass and square.
If the tips of the compass are pointing to the wrist, it means the wearer is reminding himself of his Masonic obligation. If the tips of the compass points to the fingertips, it means the wearer is letting others know that he is a Mason.
For some couples, the traditional diamond engagement ring and matching wedding bands just aren’t quite right. Among the host of alternatives, gothic rings offer some of the most detailed history and symbolism, and make excellent choices for wedding jewelry.
Gothic rings are characteristic of medieval romanticism, and often have one or many symbols inlaid: crosses, fleur de lis, runes and pentacles, Celtic knots, scrollwork and geometric patterns. The rings are often detailed with dragons, serpents, fairies and other magical creatures, along with colored gemstones and dark metals.
Designing a gothic ring together may be a great choice for couples looking for unique wedding bands. They can choose exactly what they want their rings and marriage to symbolize, and personalize their bands in a way that sets them apart from the typical diamond ring.