Color Symbolism and
Freemasonry
by Bro. John Shroeder
We all know that Masonry employs symbols to teach moral lessons.
One definition of Masonry frequently used is that it is a beautiful system of
morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Our lectures give
explanations of those symbols. Some believe that there is much to be learned
from the symbols which is not included in the lectures, that the given
explanations are but the tip of the iceberg.
Our Virginia Mentor's Manual contains a section saying that it is
unknown where, when or why the name Blue Lodge originated, but also pointing out
that blue is generally regarded as the color of truth and fidelity, basic
teachings of our craft; that blue is the color used to characterize friendship,
one of the jewels of a Mason. It also tells us, "some have found some symbolism
in the blue arch of the heavens and have urged that for a Freemason the virtues
of friendship and benevolence must be as expansive as the heavens." It concludes
with the reminder that the proper term is "Symbolic Lodge" rather than "Blue
Lodge" although blue as a color and symbol is prominent in our teachings.1
The speculative book, Stonehenge: An Ancient Masonic Temple,
offers the following regarding the use of blue for our lodges:
"Our lodge since time immemorial has been called the Blue Lodge.
The color blue has been indelibly attached to it. Why?? Why wasn't the color
yellow selected and called the Yellow Lodge? Blue is derived from the root
signifying 'Perfection.' Blue from all ages has been a symbol of truth, secrecy,
sincerity and fidelity. There is a reason why the lodge is called the 'Blue
Lodge.' It goes back to nature's colors. What color do you suppose the stones
are in the inner circle and horseshoe circle of Stonehenge? They are blue. They
are even called the bluestone circle and bluestone horseshoe. The builders of
Stonehenge held the color blue in such high regard that they traveled 130 air
miles and 240 miles by land and sea to secure them. They brought some 80 blue
stones to the construction site from the Prescelly Mountains of Wales. They
hunted until they found 'blue stones,' some weighing up to 5 tons each, and
moved them to the Stonehenge site for erection. The 'blue stones' were part of
the earlier stages of the construction project. The color blue was very
important to them, and it has been adopted as the color of our lodge. This is
one more ancient tradition handed down from generation to generation. It is
generally believed that the Blue Lodge originated from the Blue Stone Temple of
Stonehenge."2
The Masonic Services Association distributed a Short Talk
Bulletin in April 1994 which addressed the views of Brother Leon Zeldis,
Honorary Assistant Grand Master, and Past Sovereign Grand Commander of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, of Israel, condensed from his paper in
Quatuor Coranatorum Transactions, vol. 105, 1992, concerning the Masonic
meanings of the colors blue, white, purple, red, green, yellow and black.
Brother Zeldis quotes the Masonic author, A. E. Waite, as writing, "There is no
recognized scheme or science of colors in Masonry. Here and there in our ritual
we find an 'explanation' for the use of a certain colour, but this usually turns
out to be merely a peg on which to hang a homiletic lecture about it, having
little if any connection with the origins of its use." Brother Zeldis also
quotes Brother Chetwode Crawley, "The ordinary prosaic enquirer will see in the
selection of blue as the distinctive colour of Freemasonry only the natural
sequence of the legend of King Solomon's Temple. For the Jews had been Divinely
commanded to wear a 'riband of blue' (Numbers 15:38, 'You are to take tassels on
the corners of your garments with a blue cord on each tassel').3
Brother Zeldis
does not mention, in this article, the description in Exodus 28:31 and 33
respectively, "And you shall make the robe of the ephod all blue.", "On its
skirts you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet stuff …". The
pomegranates are, of course, another familiar Masonic symbol on the chapiters of
the pillars.
The Masonic Service Association of North America publication, "EMESSAY
NOTES" of February 1997, also has this to say about the Masonic symbolism of the
color blue, " Blue: having the color of clear sky, the sapphire, the turquoise.
There is nothing of this hue about a 'Blue Lodge' except the colors on aprons,
collars, etc. of officers. Blue was adopted as the official color of the
Symbolic Lodge by the Mother Grand Lodge, which first proclaimed white as the
color and then changed it to blue. Various theories account for the color as
that descriptive of a Symbolic Lodge; it came from the blue vault of heaven;
blue was the color of the steel points of the compasses, contrasting with the
yellow brass of the hinged part of the instrument; blue was the official color
of the Order of the Garter and was adopted for lodges in an attempt to add the
dignity of that decoration to the Fraternity. Blue Lodge and Blue Masonry are
other names for Symbolic Lodge and Symbolic Masonry. (From the MSA Digest
Masonic Vocabulary)"4
I noted with interest, in some of my non-Masonic reading, several
references to color symbolism and thought that it might be of interest to others
as well.
The renowned Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, took a great interest
in the folk legends and symbols of earlier ages as he felt that they contributed
to an understanding of the changes which he felt had taken place in man's
understanding of himself and his role in the Universe over eons of time.5
Jung
felt that early man had not originally had a clear consciousness or rational
thinking capability but, over centuries, developed such a capability and now has
come to know only the conscious, and not the unconscious, which was layered over
by the development of the conscious. He believed that earlier man had been
governed by instincts, much as we think about the animal mind today. He felt
that the earlier instinctual mind is still with man today but it is as a shadow
behind or beneath the conscious mind. He felt that the integration of that
shadow mind with the conscious mind results in the enlightenment or
individuation of the individual.
Because of his keen interest, Jung read widely in science,
literature, history, philosophy and also folklore and found, in literature from
ancient civilizations and religions, parallels in symbolism which he reasoned
showed that these arose from a common thread in the instinctive minds of ancient
men. In this regard, he adopted the Eastern philosophy that if things repeatedly
occur together, it is more than coincidence even if a causal relationship cannot
be conclusively proven through scientific methods. He called this synchronicity.
Worshipful Brother Kirk MacNulty, author of the beautiful work, Freemasonry: A
Journey through Ritual and Symbol, 6
is quoted by Wallace McLeod in his book, A
Quest for Light,7 as also using Jungian concepts in explaining how the three
Craft degrees recapitulate the development of the individual person. "The
Entered Apprentice degree, (or the Ground Floor of the Temple), represents the
physical or material being, Jung's 'individual consciousness'. The Fellow Craft,
(or Middle Chamber), represents the soul or psyche, Jung's 'personal
unconscious'. The Master Mason degree, (or Holy of Holies), is the spiritual
being, Jung's 'collective unconscious', one step closer to the Divine." Similar
parallels in the symbolism of peoples very far removed from each other
culturally, geographically and in time have been noted by Fraser in his seminal
work, The Golden Bough,8 and more recently by Joseph Campbell as reported in his
many books, especially his series on the nature of the gods in various
cultures.9
This is interesting but, you may be asking, what does it have to
do with the subject of color symbolism in Freemasonry? Perhaps these parallels
in symbolism have also occurred with the selection of blue as the color of the
symbolic lodge. Perhaps the uses of the symbolism of blue in other cultures can
provide insight into its use in Freemasonry. Because of Jung's detailed research
into symbolism, his works may be of more than passing interest to the members of
this Craft founded upon the use of symbolism to teach moral principles. The
Mason who is willing to expend the effort to glean his writings for the kernels
of particular application to the ancient evolution of symbolism used in modern
Freemasonry will find it rewarding.
For example, there is no proof that our use of the square and
compasses as Masonic symbols has a direct lineal descent from their use as
symbols of moral instruction in ancient China, which is evidenced by ancient
writings, or from their use in ancient Egypt, as indicated by archeological
findings. The creation myths of the Dogon tribe of Mali in Western Africa offer
some striking parallels with the penalty of the Entered Apprentice10
but there
is almost certainly no very direct lineal relationship. Jung would say that
these things arose independently (but synchronistically) from man's common
unconscious. Jung's reasoning may offer a logical framework for a theory of
common threads of symbolism where evidence and proof of direct relationship is
lacking.
Among other symbols he researched, Jung found that the color blue
of the heavenly sky has been in many cultures and beliefs a symbol of
spirituality. He contrasts this with red as a symbol of emotion. This equates
with our feelings about these colors, I believe. Blue is the coolest of colors
and we equate spirituality with a cool, detached, or other-worldly orientation
or philosophy. Red is the warmest of colors which we equate with the heat of
anger or passion. Our everyday language, for example, includes the well known
phrase, "seeing red", to dramatically convey the concept of anger. Jung points
out that the combination of red and blue provides purple or violet which he says
is the symbol of mysticism. He feels that this is a good illustration of his
concept, to which I alluded earlier, of the integration or individuation of the
personality which he concludes has a duality similar to his concept of the
conscious mind and shadow mind or psyche. When the dual parts of the
personality, which he equates with the spiritual aspect of the conscious mind,
as represented by the color blue, and the emotional, instinctual aspect of the
shadow mind, which he equates with the red, are combined or integrated, he feels
they bring the individual to his highest potential, symbolized by violet.
I found this of interest Masonically since blue is the color of
the symbolic lodge which, in Jungian terms, represents the spiritual values to
which we aspire. That seems to me to be closely aligned with the moral lessons
taught as we progress through the three degrees from the physical man, or
Entered Apprentice, to the mindful man, or Fellow Craft, and ultimately to the
spiritual man, or Master Mason. This is also evidenced by the symbology of the
changes in mode of wearing the apron while progressing through the degrees where
the triangular flap, which triangle, Masonic scholars tell us, represents deity,
is first separate and above the rectangular apron representing worldly, or base,
things. Secondly, the triangle or spiritual symbol is imposed upon the worldly
form in the Fellow Craft's apron, and thirdly, the two are integrated into one
triangular form, as a Master Mason, symbolizing spirituality.
The above explanation of the symbolism of blue in the symbolic
lodge is at least as intellectually and intuitively satisfying as the other
explanations offered for the term "Blue Lodge". For example, Mackey says that
blue is the symbol of universal friendship and benevolence, because, as it is
the color of the vault of heaven, which embraces and covers the whole globe, we
are thus reminded that in the breast of every brother these virtues should be
equally as extensive. He says that blue, except for white, is the only color
which should be used in a Master's lodge for decorations. Mackey relates that
blue was to the Hebrews a symbol of perfection, to the Druids a symbol of truth,
to the Hindus a symbol of wisdom, to the Babylonians and the Egyptians a sacred
color, to the Chinese a symbol of divinity, and to medieval Christians, an
emblem of immortality.11
Some of the Masonic degrees, some of which are called chivalric
degrees, in both the Scottish and York Rites use red as the basic color, much as
the symbolic lodge uses blue. In the case of the York Rite degree of the Royal
Arch, this has been explained by Mackey as the symbol of the ardor and zeal
which should actuate all who are in possession of that sublime portion of
Freemasonry.12 Mackey also cites Portal's Symbolic Colors which states that red,
representing fire, is the symbol of the regeneration and purification of souls.
Mackey sees this as a logical reason for the Royal Arch to adopt it because the
Royal Arch refers historically to the re-building or regeneration of the Temple
of Solomon, and symbolically to the regeneration of life.13
In the case of the
use of red as the symbolic color for the heraldic degrees of the York and
Scottish Rites, it fits well with the Jungian interpretation of red as the
symbol of emotions, because courage, fervor, and zeal, when properly directed,
are all noble emotions which are closely associated with the rituals of the
heraldic degrees.
The combination of red and blue into purple or violet, is the
color of the York Rite Mark, Past, and Most Excellent Master degrees which fall
between the degree of Master Mason and that of the Royal Arch. Mackey says that
the color purple in this case therefore symbolizes the close connection and
harmony which should ever exist between these two portions of the Masonic
System. This would indicate a transitional blending from blue toward red.14
Portal's Symbolic Colors states that purple, in the profane language of colors,
symbolizes constancy in spiritual combats because blue denotes fidelity and
red,
war.15 We know that purple has always been an emblem of exalted office and
purple the legendary color of the robes of kings and high priests. The purple
dye at that time reportedly could only be produced by crushing a certain
shellfish, murex, from Phoenicia, which made it very expensive and contributed
to limiting its use.
Brother Zeldis, in the Short Talk Bulletin previously cited,
points out that, in Hebrew, tchelet (light blue) and argaman (purple) have
usually been mentioned together without scholars reaching satisfactory
conclusions as to why. He found that the light blue, or tchelet, was produced
from a short variety of the shellfish, murex trunculus, while the purple, or
argamen, was produced from one of two other varieties, murex brandaris and thais
haemastoma. He points out that some historians have concluded that, in the
Middle Ages in Europe, blue was low in popular esteem compared with red because
red dyes could achieve stronger shades which brought to mind the prestigious
purple of the ancient world. However, he says, blue gradually became recognized
as a princely color replacing red at court because red was used by the masses
and, hence, considered vulgar. Blue and gold then became the color for shields,
banners and livery.
Nowadays, purple is used as such Masonically in the collars of
Grand Lodge Officers in England and some other jurisdictions. The use of violet
in the caps of the members of the Supreme Council of the Thirty Third Degree and
those of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Scottish Rite is also
thought to symbolize the use of the purple by the high priests and kings of
ancient civilizations. Brother Zeldis feels that the explanation of purple as
'an emblem of union being composed of blue and crimson' in the Royal Arch is
contrived.
Wallace McLeod, in his previously cited book, The Quest for
Light, discusses the color symbolism pointing out that light blue is a color
peculiar to the symbolic degrees and one of the most durable and beautiful
colors of nature, an emblem of friendship and benevolence and reminds us that
these virtues should be to us as expansive as the blue arch of heaven itself.
His reasoning is a bit circular here as he says that blue is symbolical of
friendship and benevolence because it is the color of the symbolic degrees and
Craft Masonry is the ideal example of these virtues. He says that scarlet is
emblematical of fervency and zeal but wonders if this might better be crimson
than scarlet, an issue which Mackey prefers not to quibble over. McLeod repeats
Mackey's statement about purple being an admixture of scarlet and blue and
therefore symbolical of harmony and unanimity. He, like Brother Zeldis, seems
less than convinced of the symbology here, however.16
Personally, I would prefer to go back to basics and to look on
the use of these violet caps and purple collars as emblematic of the Jungian
explanation of the successful integration within the personality of the
spiritual mind and the zealous mind to attain a higher level of consciousness
and self-knowledge. This would negate Mackey's concept that purple or violet is
a transitional color from the blue of the Symbolic Lodge to the red of the Royal
Arch with red being the ultimate color. In the organization of colors which I
propose, the violet or purple would be the ultimate reflecting the whole,
integrated persona.
Learning to read the symbols of ancient folk legends and finding
parallels in distant cultures and distant ages led Carl Jung to a better
understanding of the human mind. Study of his writings and study of explanations
of our Masonic symbols can lead modern Masons to a better understanding of our
Masonic heritage of symbolism and to a better understanding of our Craft and of
ourselves. This latter meets the goal of the ancient mysteries, "First know
thyself." In addition to the writings of Jung, I commend to your attention the
writings of Joseph Campbell, the late professor of mythology at Sarah Lawrence
College. Campbell's book, The Power of Myth,17
with Bill Moyers from the public
TV series of the same title, discusses Masonic symbols used by our founding
fathers on the dollar bill, the pyramid topped by the all-seeing eye. Brent
Morris, in a 1995 Short Talk Bulletin, debunked this as a Masonic symbol but do
not let that Campbell error turn you away from Joseph Campbell.18
The Power of
Myth is available in the Fairfax County Library system or can be purchased in
paper back. Other books of Campbell which will be of interest to students of
symbolism include his multi-volume set, The Masks of God.19
NOTES
1 Virginia Mentor's Manual, Grand Lodge Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia, (contained within The
Presentation Volume, 1977), p. 14
2 Stonehenge: An Ancient
Masonic Temple, Russell A. Herner, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company,
Richmond, VA, © 1979 3 The Short Talk Bulletin, "Colour
Symbolism in Freemasonry, Brother Leon Zeldis, The Masonic Service Association
of North America, April 1994
4 "EMESSAY NOTES", February 1997,
The Masonic Service Association of North America
5 The Basic
Writings of C. G. Jung, Carl Gustav Jung, ISBN: 067960071X, Random House, Inc.,
January 1977 6 Freemasonry: A Journey through Ritual and Symbol,
Kirk MacNulty, Hudson & Thames Publishing,
7 The Quest for
Light, Wallace McLeod, Edited by Tony Pope, Australian and New Zealand Masonic
Research Council, Melbourne, 1997, p. 65
8 Carl Gustav Jung, op.
cit. 9 The Golden Bough, James George Fraser, ISBN: 1568495013,
Buccaneer Books, January 1994
10 The Masks of God, Joseph
Campbell, ISBN 0140194428, Viking Pen, June 1972
11 The Pale
Fox, M. Griaule & G. Dieterlen, ISBN 0-939118-02-5, trans. from French by
Stephen C. Infantino, Ph.D. © Continuum Foundations, 1986
12
Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Revised and enlarged by Robert I.
Clegg 33o, © 1929, The Masonic History Company, Chicago, Toronto, New York,
London, p. 141 13 Mackey, op. cit., p. 840
14
ibid. 15 Mackey, op. cit., p. 822
16 ibid.
17 McLeod, op. cit., pp. 233, 234
18 The Short Talk Bulletin,
The Masonic Service Association of North America, 1995
19 The
Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers, ISBN: 03885247745, Doubleday &
Co., May 1988
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