The
Apron Distinguishing Badge of a
Mason
From St. Thomas Lodge Website
Why do we
wear an apron?, and what is its significance? Our Order is founded on Operative
Masonry, and operative Masons in common with most other artisans, wear aprons
for the protection of their clothing. Different trades used different types of
aprons, each suitable for the purpose.
Originally
the Entered Apprentice wore an apron with a bib secured with a tape around his
neck. The bib was to protect the upper part of his clothing when clasping a
heavy stone, such as a pillar, with both arms. Later, as he became proficient in
his trade, he became an artisan and his job was then to smooth and prepare the
stone for its place in the building. He then had no use for the upper portion of
the apron, so he let it hang down over the lower part--thus we have our own
badge with a triangular piece overlapping the square portion. There are several
explanations of this triangular portion of the apron all or any of which may be
correct, but the following seems the most logical of
them.
The
significance of the apron is "servitude." Certain dignitaries of the
Anglican Church wear an apron as part of their clerical dress. Thus a person
signifies the service that is expected of a Freemason to his neighbor.
When
investing the Entered Apprentice with the badge he is informed that it is more
ancient than the Golden Fleece and more honorable than the Star and Garter. The
main object of my talk is to tell you something of these orders. First, the
wording of the investiture was compiled in about 1717 (in the Grand Lodge of
England or its Lodges) and was revised in 1813.
The Golden Fleece
According to
Greek legend, King Pelias of Thessaly had ousted his brother Aeson and to rid
himself of Aeson's son, Jason he persuaded the lad to fetch the Golden Fleece
which hung on an oak tree at Ares in Colchis. It was guarded by a dragon. The
adventures of Jason and his fifty companions, who sailed with him make one of
the finest stories of Greek literature. (The fleece came from the mythical ram
on which Phrixus and Helle escaped from death and was hung in the Grove at Ares
by Phrixus, who alone survived the flight from his native land.)
The Order of the Golden
Fleece
Was founded
by Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy, in January, 1429, on occasion of his
marriage to Isabella, daughter of King John I, of Portugal. The order was
instituted for the protection of the Catholic Church. The fleece was chosen as
the emblem because wool was the predominate product of the lower European
countries in which the order flourished. The number of knights of the order was
twenty-four. In 1433 the number was raised to thirty-three, all gentlemen by
birth. In 1477, on the marriage of Mary of Burgundy with Duke Maximilian, the
grand mastership of the order passed to the House of Hapsburg. The last chapter
of the original Order was held by Philip II of Spain in the cathedral of Ghent.
Up to that time the knights had filled the vacancies by their own votes, but
Philip II obtained permission of Pope Gregory XIII to nominate the knights
himself.
After the
Spanish Netherlands were ceded to Austria in 1713-14, the Austrians claimed the
office. The resulting dispute split the order into two parts--one in Austria and
one in Spain.
The jewel of
the order (which differs slightly in the two countries) is a golden ram hanging
from a ring which is passed around its middle. This is suspended from a scroll
in very elaborate design with the motto, (in Latin) "The
reward of labour is not trifling." The jewel, in turn, is attached to a
golden collar made up of links. Each link is in the form of a capital
"B" with rays issuing from it. The collar is usually worn with full
dress. On ordinary occasions a broad red ribbon collar is worn in its place.
Since its
inception this order has been considered as the most important and highest of
all civil orders on the European continent. The order has no standing in
England, hence we hear little of it. No British subject is permitted to accept
this, or any other foreign order, without special permission from the sovereign.
At the time of the dispute over the order between Austria and Spain in 1714,
speculative Masonry was gaining a firm footing and its ritual was then revised
and prominence given to the Golden Fleece.
The Roman Eagle
The Roman
Eagle also has an interesting history. The eagle was highly esteemed among the
Romans. It was usually depicted with outstretched wings, sometimes of gold and
silver, but most frequently of bronze. It was carried at the head of a staff in
the same manner as a banner.
The eagle
borne upon a spear appears to have been used first by the Persians. The Romans
took the idea from them, and used it as an emblem of honor, to be carried before
the chief ruler. In 1804, Napoleon had metal eagles carried before his army.
Austria and Russia both had double eagles as a symbol of their empires. The
symbol of the United States of America is the bald eagle. In 1701, Frederick I
of Prussia founded the Order of the Black Eagle. The number of knights was
limited to thirty, exclusive of the princes of royal blood. The revisers of our
rituals probably selected the reference to the Roman Eagle as it was the highest
emblem of dignity, honor and power of that famous empire.
Order of the Garter
The Order of
the Garter is, of course, something we know more about, being a British Order.
It is the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, and is considered the
most honorable and exclusive in the world. Its full title is "The Most
Noble Order of the Garter."
According to
tradition, King Edward III, who was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury at a
ball held on January 18, 1343, picked up a blue garter that had dropped from her
leg and tied it around his own. Observing the queen's uneasy glances, and the
consternation of the countess, he returned it to its owner with the remark, Evil
be to him who evil thinks.
At this time
the king had been successful in the French campaign and was contemplating a
second expedition. He resolved to institute an order of knighthood in honor of
his success, as well as a means of rewarding his army favorites. He placed the
order under the protection of St. George. For 179 years it remained practically
as instituted by Edward III but in 1522, Henry VIII revised the statutes. The
color of the emblem was blue, which at that time was the French national color.
The motto translated, Let him be dishonored who thinks ill of it, was
appropriate whether applied to the French expedition or to the order itself.
Formerly,
the knights were elected by the members, but since the reign of George III all
appointments have been made by the reigning sovereign. Originally it was called
the Order of Saint George. It now consists of the sovereign, who is the grand
master, the Prince of Wales and twenty-five knights companions. In addition it
is open to all English princes (lineal descendants of George I ) and foreign
sovereigns as may be chosen by the king or queen. On occasions, other companions
are admitted for special reasons so that the whole order usually numbers about
fifty.
The insignia
consists of the garter, the collar, and the great George; the star, the ribbon
and badge, or lesser George. The garter is of blue velvet ribbon--the particular
tint being known as "garter blue." The ribbon is edged with gold and
fastened by a gold buckle on the left leg below the knee. It bears the motto of
the order in letters of gold, or sometimes in diamonds. When the sovereign is a
woman, it is worn on the left arm above the elbow.
The collar
consists of twenty-five pieces alternately gold love knots and buckled garters
enameled in blue, enclosing roses. From the center link of the collar hangs the
badge of the great George. It is a figure of St. George as a knight in gold
enamel and set with jewels. He is depicted on horseback, overthrowing the dragon
with a spear.
A star was
added by Charles I in 1692. It consists of eight silver rays encrusted with
diamonds, issuing from a buckled garter bearing the motto and enclosing a white
field of enamel with the red cross of St. George upon it. When the collar and
great George are not worn, the "lesser George" as it is called, is
used. It is similar to the great George but much smaller and hangs from a broad
blue ribbon which passes slantwise over the left shoulder. The robes of the
order are of equal magnificence.
The order
became prominent in the 17th century after Charles I added the star to the
insignia. On ordinary occasions the star is worn on the breast and the garter
below the knee. Full regalia is only worn when grand chapter meets, or at a
ceremony such as a coronation. The order meets at Windsor Castle.
So,
Brethren, we have our badge of white for purity--of lamb's skin for innocence;
more ancient than the Golden Fleece, which was founded in 1429, and the Roman
Eagle, which was instituted in 1701; and more honorable than the Garter, which
is the highest order of knighthood in the world.
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