THE MASONIC APRON
by Bro. Gerald Brooks
This article has been adapted from the
research paper entitled “The Origin and Development of the Masonic
Apron” by Plez A. Transou which appears in Vol. X of the Transactions of
the Texas Lodge of Research.
The Lambskin or white leather apron, is an emblem of innocence and
the badge of a Mason; more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman
Eagle; more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that
could be conferred, at this, or any future period, by king, prince or
potentate, or any person, except he be a Mason; and which, I trust, you
will wear with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity.
With these or similar words every Mason is presented one of the
most visible signs of Masonic membership, the lambskin or white leather
apron. In this, the newly made brother receives the first tangible
evidence of his acceptance into the Masonic fraternity and the one
perpetual emblem of his Masonic affiliation. This badge, the “essential”
apron of an Entered Apprentice, will figure predominately throughout his
career in Masonry from the first lesson in the Northeast corner of the
lodge room until both his Masonic pursuit and life’s span is ended, and he
is duly called from labor.
The “Right of Investiture,” the ceremony of emblematically clothing the
candidate, is neither original nor unique to Freemasonry. Use of the apron
in the Hermetic ceremonies of ancient Egypt is evident. The apron was worn
as a symbol of priestly power in the Levitican economy. The Persian
mysteries incorporated the white apron and, in the Hindustan, the
investiture consisted of a scarf being tied around the candidate’s waist.
Without question, the Operative Masons used the apron as an item of
protective clothing.
The origin of the apron and its early development and character in
Freemasonry is obscure. Plez Transou in “The Origin and Development of the
Masonic Apron” concludes that the leather apron of the operative mason
found its way into Speculative Masonry along with other symbols of the
Craft. Over time, it became an emblem and a badge, recognized as a symbol
of antiquity and was presented to the new Mason as a paramount honor. He
further states that there is not the slightest hint that operative masons
used the apron as a teaching tool. Moreover, there is little evidence that
there was much more than a tenuous allegorical inference involved in the
presentation during the formulative stages of Freemasonry in the early
18th century. As the Masonic ritual went through the development and
evolutionary processes, the apron progressed to a place of prominence by
the 1760’s that the Mason recognizes today.
It would seem that the symbolical wearing of aprons by Freemasons in
imitation of operative masons would require little explanation, as the
workman wore the apron as a protective covering. However, the modern
Masonic apron is a white lambskin apron, which adds two specific
qualities. First, the color white is a ritualistic development to
represent purity and, second, the lambskin material is emblematical of
innocence. No better explanation of the Masonic apron can be found than
that provided in the Apron presentation to the new Mason. It is quoted
here as presented in the Monitor of the Lodge published by the Masonic
Grand Lodge of Texas.
My brother, in behalf of this Lodge, I now present
to you this white Lambskin Apron. It may be, that in the coming years,
upon your brow shall rest the laurel leaves of victory; it may be that,
pendant from your breast, may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of
some Eastern potentate.
Aye! More than these, for light, added to coming light, may enable
your ambitious feet to tread round after round of the ladder that leads
to fame in our Mystic order; and even the purple of our fraternity may
rest upon your honored shoulders; but never again, from mortal hands;
never again, until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and
inward, through the pearly gates, can a greater honor be bestowed, or
one more emblematical of purity and innocence, than that which has been
conferred upon you tonight.
This Apron, the special gift of this Lodge, is yours to wear upon
all proper occasions throughout an honorable life, and at your death, is
to be placed upon the coffin that contains your lifeless remains and
with them shall be laid beneath the silent clods of the valley.
May the pure and spotless surface of this Apron be an ever-present
reminder of “that purity of heart and uprightness of conduct so
essentially necessary,” thus keeping pure your thoughts, and inspiring
nobler deeds and greater achievements.
Then, when at last, your weary feet shall have come to the end of
life’s toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp, shall drop,
forever, the working tools of life, may the record of your life and
actions be as pure and spotless as this Apron now is; and when your
soul, freed from earth, shall stand naked and alone before the Great
White Throne, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sits thereon,
the welcome plaudit: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord!”
It is in this apron presentation the new Mason receives a wonderful
and most profound lesson and gains an understanding of the symbolic
importance of his Masonic Apron. In this presentation the Mason is told
that whatever he does, wherever he goes, the apron should remind him of
his Masonic obligations. He is told that the apron is not only important
as a symbol of his Masonic membership, but it is also a symbolic reminder
to follow the noblest pursuits in life.
The apron reminds the Mason to do his duty to God, his country, his
neighbor and his family. Every time he puts the apron on, he should be
reminded of his obligations to God and of that purity of character and
behavior necessary for his proper relationship with God. The Masonic apron
is symbolic of the Masonic teachings designed to make men better citizens
and servants of God. Though Freemasons are not builders of great builders,
they are builders of men. As such, the Masonic apron is an emblem of
innocence and the badge of a Mason. May the Mason ever strive to fulfill
the tenets of Freemasonry in heart, mind, and soul.
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