~ The Mason's Apron ~
By Everette T. Deitz
The following article was edited from the 1995 Edition of Transactions
published by The South Carolina Masonic Research Society.
At the opening of a Masonic
lodge, the Worshipful Master says, “Brethren, clothe and prepare for labor.” A
mason must don his apron in order to be properly clothed in an open lodge. The type of apron and the
manner in which it is worn depends on what station, place, or rank which the
individual holds in the lodge. The apron is always worn on the outside of any garment, because it is the badge of a
mason and is held in very high regard.
The mason’s apron must be pure white and made of lambskin. Its
measurements should be from 14-16 inches wide, and 12-14 inches deep, with a
fall of about three or four inches, square at the bottom with sharp angular
corners, and without device or ornament of any kind. In the United States it has become common practice to allow a narrow blue
edging around the outer edges of the lambskin. It is said that this is in allusion to the universal friendship which is
the bond of the Society, and of which virtue, blue is the symbol.
It would be truthful to say
that the above description of the apron is not strictly adhered to. Even in our own jurisdiction of South Carolina, we have many variations
and symbols on our aprons including numbers indicating lodge designations, as
well as symbols indicating rank or station.
During a period between the
early 1700s and late 1800s, Masonic aprons were not only made from lambskin, but
deerskin and other skin that was soft and pliable. Also, many were made from silk and other elite material. Most aprons at that time were elaborately adorned with Masonic symbols
and fancy hand-stitched borders. The
only similarity in the many aprons in use at that time, was the edging and the
various symbols expressing the lessons masonry teaches. As already explained, as the attempt to standardize the Masonic apron’s
appearance in our so-called modern times, so it likewise failed during the
earlier period.
In our jurisdiction of South
Carolina, on the night of initiation, we present the newly made Masonic brother
with a plain white, unadorned lambskin. This
is an appropriate reminder that as white has always been an emblem of purity,
and the lamb is an emblem of innocence, combined they teach “that the purity
of life and rectitude of conduct is so essentially necessary to his gaining
admission into the celestial lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the
Universe forever presides.”1 With
this impressed on the mind of the initiate, he should progress through the
several degrees and have a better understanding of his relationship with his
fellow man and brother.
I am sure many of us have
fond memories each time we take out the pure white lambskin which was presented
to us on the night we were made an entered apprentice mason. Also, each time we attend a funeral and Masonic graveside where services
are performed, and we see the white lambskin apron being placed upon the coffin
of our departed brother, we recall the words spoken the night when the lambskin
was presented to us. Also, it is
the first gift we received at our entrance into masonry.
The symbols with which some
aprons are decorated indicate the office the wearer has attained in his Masonic
journey. In most lodges, officers
wear an apron with the symbol of the office they hold. Another apron, with distinctive markings, is worn by a Past Master
indicating he has had the honor of presiding over his lodge. This is indeed a great honor and one few will ever forget. Our Grand Lodge officers also wear aprons which have distinctive markings
indicating the office to which they have been elected or appointed.
An excerpt taken from a
paper written by Brother John Barr on the whys and wherefores of the Masonic
apron states:
Let us examine an operative
mason’s apron. The body shows
four right angles, thus forming a square, symbolical of matter. The bib, as it is called in operative masonry, runs to the form of an
equilateral triangle, symbolizing spirit. When
used to moralize upon, the flap is dropped, thereby representing the descent of
spirit into matter - the soul of the body. In operative masonry the apex of the triangle was cut away, while the
strings, which were long enough to go around the body, and finish at the front,
were tied there. So that it was
just possible, as one writer surmises, that the strings hanging down with frayed
edges may have their representation in the tassels of our Master Mason’s
aprons.”
Brother Barr also states:
I am of further opinion that,
had there not been great importance attached to the apron, it would have been
set aside, at least among English masons, shortly after the formation of the
Grand Lodges of England, as a certain section who got into the order at that
time took strong exception to the apron on the plea that it made them look like
mechanics. It must be remembered
that it was full length at that time, and remained so for a considerable period
after the formation of the First Grand Lodge.
The use of the apron in
masonry is appropriately taken from satisfactory evidence, that its use, or some
equivalent mode of investiture as a mystic symbol, was common to all nations of
the earth from the earliest periods.
The apron is used in the
Scottish Rite and York Rite of Freemasonry as well as in some of the so-called
side degrees. Different colors and
shapes are used, but each offers lessons being taught in the various degrees or
orders.
In ancient Israel the girdle
formed a part of the investiture of the priesthood and, for the ordinary priest,
it was of plain white. The superior
orders of the priesthood were adorned with highly ornamented girdles. In the mysteries of Mythras, in Persia, the candidate was invested with a
white apron. The Jewish sect of the
Essenes clothed their novices with a white robe. Like other portions of the Masonic ritual, the ceremony of clothing the
newly initiated candidate with a white apron of lambskin belongs within the veil
of antiquity. In the initiations
practiced in Hindostan, the ceremony of investiture was preserved, but a sash
called the “Sacred Zennar” was substituted for the apron. It has been said that the Japanese, who practice certain rites of
initiation, invest their candidates with a white apron, bound round the loins
with a zone or girdle. In the
Scandinavian rites, the military genius for the people caused them to substitute
a white shield, but its presentation was accompanied by an emblematic
instruction not unlike that which is connected with the Freemason’s apron. The apron then appears to have been in ancient times an honorary badge of
distinction.
President George Washington
was presented an apron by Brother Marquis De Lafayette in 1784. The apron was made of beautiful white satin bearing the national colors
of red, white, and blue, and elaborately embroidered with Masonic emblems. The apron, which was enclosed in a rosewood box when presented to Brother
Washington, was the handiwork of Madame Lafayette. The apron now belongs to the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge.
Another apron of French
origin was presented to Brother Washington by two Frenchmen named Watson and
Cassoul in 1782. The design of this
apron combined the French and American flags. Mrs. Cassoul and Watson aided the American cause during the Revolutionary
War and held Brother Washington in very high regard.
From Mackey’s Revised
Encyclopedia:
In the early ages of the
Christian church, a white garment was placed upon the catechumen who had been
newly baptized, to denote that he had been cleansed from his former sins, and
was henceforth to lead a life of purity. Hence
it was presented to him with this solemn charge: ‘Receive the white and undefiled garment, and produce it unspotted
before the Tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may obtain eternal
life.’2 Can this be
the reason we place a white unspotted apron on the coffin of a deceased brother
at Masonic graveside services?
We see from the foregoing
that white and lambskin are the predominate components in the aprons, robes, and
sashes which were presented to the initiates into different organizations as
they began a journey into the crafts or religious endeavors.
Throughout history, the
apron has been used for diverse reasons. As
speculative masons, we adopted the apron because our ancient brethren, the
operative masons, also wore aprons. There
is no doubt in my mind that the operative masons wore their apron to protect the
clothing and body from dirt and maybe bruises. Also, it seems that the manner in which they wore their apron denoted
their rank in their craft. Today we
see aprons worn in many crafts from chemistry to waitresses serving tables. The apron has many uses and serves many areas.
The following was written by
Captain Jack Crawford for Doctor Walter C. Miller of Webbs Lodge No. 166,
Augusta, Georgia.
Apron
Lecture
The
coming years may bring to you success,
The
Victory Laurel Wreath may deck your brow,
And
you may feel love’s hallowed caress,
And
have withal domestic tenderness,
And
fortune’s God may smile on you as now,
And
jewels fit for eastern potentate
Hang
over your ambitious heart, and
Fate
may call thee “Prince of Men”, or “King of Hearts”,
While
Cupid strives to pierce you with his darts,
Nay,
even more than these, with coming light
Your
feet may press fame’s loftiest dazzling height,
And
looking down upon the world below
You
may exclaim, “I cannot greater grow!”
But,
nevermore, O worthy Brother mine,
Can
innocence and purity combine
With
all that’s sweet and tender here below
As
in this emblem which I now bestow.
‘Tis
yours to wear throughout a life of love,
And
when your spirit wings to realms above
‘Twill
with your cold clay rest beneath the sod,
While
breeze-kissed flowers whisper of your God.
O
may its stainless, spotless surface be
An
emblem of that perfect purity
Distinguished
far above all else on earth
And
sacred as the virtue of the hearth,
And
when at last your naked soul shall stand
Before
the throne in your great temple grand,
O,
may it be your portion there to hear
“Well
done”, and find a host of brothers near
To
join the angel choir in glad refrain
Till
northeast corner echoes come again.
Then while the hosts in silent grandeur stand
The
Supreme Builder smiling in command
Shall
say to you to whom this emblem’s given,
“Welcome
art thou to all the joys of Heaven”
And
then shall dawn within your lightened soul
The
purpose divine that held control -
The
full fruition of the builder’s plan -
The
Fatherhood of God - the Brotherhood of Man.
Copyright © 2002 by South
Carolina Masonic Research Society. All rights are reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without the
express written consent of the South Carolina Masonic Research Society. The opinions expressed herein represent
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SCMRS or the Grand
Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.
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