Chapter of Rose
Croix, Degree Descriptions
The Degree
description below is reprinted with the permission of the Scottish Rite
Journal.
Sixteenth Degree
Prince Of Jerusalem
Jim Tresner,
33°, Grand Cross
PO
Box 70, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044–0070
Photo:
Oil painting by Bro. Robert H. White, 32°
The apron
and other regalia of this Degree reflect the plot line of the Degree
itself. Zerubbabel has obtained permission from King Cyrus to rebuild
the Temple in Jerusalem, but it is going slowly. They are surrounded by
countries that do not want to see Israel become a power again. So they
are not only sending false reports to the king (Darius is now on the
throne), but they also are attacking the building site with armed
forces, so that the workers often have to stop building to fight off
invasion and are having to work with a sword in one hand and a trowel
in the other. The situation has led to a general discouragement, and
the Prophet Haggai tells Zerubbabel to go to the court of Darius and
remind him of the decree of Cyrus. Zerubbabel and his followers do so
and are successful.
There is
an interesting bit of byplay in the scene at the court of Darius.
Zerubbabel and his companions are asked a classic
riddle—'Which is stronger, wine, women, or the king?' (We
noted, earlier in this series, that the quest integral to the Degrees
frequently involves solving a riddle of some sort.) One of Zerubbabel's
companions answers, "Wine." "Women," says another. The third opines
that the king is stronger. Each presents a telling and humorous
argument for his position. But Zerubbabel answers that Truth is the
strongest of all.
The three
answers may represent three different temptations to surrender control
over our lives, rather than living responsibly. The answer that wine is
stronger may symbolize a life based on seeking pleasure rather than
fulfilling responsibility. The answer that women are the strongest may
symbolize a life built on passions and desires, rather than on
self-control and responsibility. The answer that the king is the
strongest may symbolize the person who avoids living responsibly by
simply obeying without question the laws of government and the orders
of authority.
But, if
so, we are told that none of these is an adequate basis for life. Only
Truth can lead to success, and Truth implies a constant
self-examination and a series of deliberate choices to do the best
thing, not the most fun, or the most convenient, or the most popular
thing.
The apron
(see above) is crimson, edged and lined with saffron—a rich
yellow-orange color. Crimson usually symbolizes zeal, and here it adds
the meaning of faith in the goodness and the justice of God. Saffron
symbolizes dawn, here the dawn of hope for those who are dispossessed,
oppressed, or persecuted.
The body
of the apron shows the Second Temple (remember that the Temple
symbolizes your life, society, and the universe). On one side is a
sword resting on a buckler or shield. On the other is a square, above
which is a triangle. The square represents the physical world and the
triangle the spiritual world. Above those are the Phoenician letters
which correspond to the Greek Alpha and Theta. At the primary level,
they are the initial letters of two names which are contained in the
secret work of the Degree. But it is interesting to speculate on a
secondary meaning. It may be that the Alpha symbolizes God (the first,
the primal source) and that Theta symbolizes judgement, since it was
the mark used by the ancient Greeks to indicate sentence of death in
the courts.
On the
flap is a hand of justice, holding a balance in equipoise. It
symbolizes impartiality in justice and also the equipoise and harmony
which God maintains in the universe.
On the
saffron cordon are a balance, the hand of justice holding a sword; a
dagger, representing justice meted to tyrants and oppressors; five
stars, representing the first five Princes of Jerusalem; a trowel,
symbol of the work of rebuilding the Temple; and two crowns,
representing civil and religious authority—both real, but
separate.
The jewel
is a disc of gold, showing on one side the hand of Justice with balance
and, on the other, the sword of justice surrounded by five stars and
the initials of the names Darius and Zerubbabel.
The Degree
is, among other things, an allegory of the trials we face when we
decide actively to build a good life founded on ethics and intended to
benefit others. We suddenly find we are beset by enemies. People will
encourage us to participate in business deals which may not be
illegal—but not at the highest level of ethics, either. The
automobile repair shop may offer to report more than actual damage to
the insurance company, so we can both "make a little for our trouble."
Friends may encourage us to take one more drink, or place one more bet.
And this in addition to the temptations which we find for ourselves!
Building or rebuilding a spiritual, ethical life isn't easy. We do have
to build with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.
The
Scottish Rite Journal - May 2000
Jim Tresner
is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The
Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and
its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer
writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script
consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the
Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work
at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a
life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the
popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument,
and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information
Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's
highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial
Session.
