Pete
Normand, 33°
P.O.
Box 10434, College Station, Texas 77842
The distinctive Scottish Rite caps derive
from the dress regalia of European orders of knighthood.
Second only to the Masonic apron, the
Scottish Rite cap is undoubtedly one of Freemasonry's most distinctive
items of regalia. But, while we as speculative Masons inherit the
Masonic apron from the operative craft of the medieval stonemasons, the
Scottish Rite cap comes down to us from the medieval chivalric
tradition. When the Master
Mason receives the Thirty-Second Degree and dons the black satin
headgear of the Scottish Rite, the Masonic craftsman is elevated to an
order of Masonic knighthood.
The Scottish Rite cap is a vestige of the
dress regalia more commonly associated with orders of European
knighthood. Aside from their distinctive caps, the full-dress regalia
of the various orders includes other accouterments such as sashes or
cordons, swords and sword belts, cloaks or capes, and jewels, badges,
and other decorations denoting their rank or office within their
respective orders.
The two separate traditions of the
stonemason's craft and medieval knighthood have become so intimately
intertwined in the rich pageantry of our Masonic ritual and regalia
that most Masons never stop to consider how or when the two became
woven together.
Today, most Masonic historians look to the
mid-1700s for the introduction of the chivalric tradition in
Freemasonry. Masonic rituals published prior to that are concerned
purely with the legends and implements of the operative Mason. But,
beginning in the mid-1740s, additional Degrees appeared
that conferred orders of knighthood upon enthusiastic Brethren eager to
add to and to embroider, if you will, their Masonic experience.
The seminal moment seems to be an oration
delivered to a French Lodge on December 26, 1736, by the Chevalier
Michael Andrew Ramsay, a Scotsman serving as the Grand Orator of the
Grand Lodge of France. This Masonic lecture, known to history as
"Ramsay's Oration," embellished upon existing traditions by stating
that the founders of Freemasonry were Crusader knights who, in
emulation of the ancient Israelites, handled "the trowel and mortar
with one hand," while in the other, "they held the sword and buckler."
The subsequent wide publication of this
stirring lecture met with such great approval on the part of the French
Brethren that, over the next few decades, a number of chivalric Degrees
appeared. Whether these Degrees were created out of whole cloth, or
were developed out of older, existing orders, legends, and oral
traditions has been grist for Masonic historians since the first
appearance of these so-called Hauts Grades, or High Degrees.
Nevertheless, the introduction of the chivalric Degrees into the
structure of Freemasonry led to the formation of Scottish Rite
Freemasonry where the two traditions, of working craftsmen and
religious knights, would be forever mingled.
In what many consider the most moving
and impressive Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite,
indeed, perhaps the culmination of the Rite, the Degree of Knight
Kadosh (30th Degree), the Candidate presents himself as an aspirant to
be admitted into "the Knights of the Poor Fellow Soldiery of the Temple
of Solomon," the ancient name of the Knights Templar.
The new Scottish Rite Mason may at first be confused by the several
different colored caps he will encounter at the first few meetings he
attends. The following is a listing of the various versions of the
Scottish Rite cap.
The black silk cap, adorned with the
recognizable Scottish Rite double-headed eagle, is the cap of a Master
of the Royal Secret of the 32nd Degree.
The blue cap, decorated in front with a gold
number 50 surrounded by a wreath is the cap of a Fifty-Year Scottish
Rite Mason.
The red cap, emblazoned with the red and gold
cross of a Knight Commander, designates that the wearer is a 32nd
Degree Mason who has been invested with the "rank and decoration" of
Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, usually abbreviated K.C.C.H
The white cap indicates that the wearer has
received the 33rd Degree, Inspector General. It bears the red and gold
Patriarchal Cross of the Degree. The white cap also indicates that,
although he is a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, he is not a member of
the Supreme Council and is, therefore, designated an "Inspector General
Honorary." Some make the mistake of referring to this as an "Honorary
33rd." The Degree is that of the 33rd Degree. The name of the Degree is
"Inspector General," and the title is that of "Inspector General
Honorary."
A white silk cap surrounded by a band of dark
blue velvet bordered in gold is the cap of the Grand Cross of the Court
of Honour. The front of the cap is adorned with the gold Teutonic cross
of the Grand Cross. This honor, like that of Knight Commander, is
awarded at the Biennial Sessions of the Supreme Council.
A white 33rd Degree cap that is surrounded by
a band of red velvet bordered in gold is the cap of a Deputy of the
Supreme Council. It indicates that the wearer has been deputized by the
Supreme Council to govern the operation of the Rite in his Orient
(state or territory).
The purple cap is that of a Sovereign
Grand Inspector General, or S.G.I.G. It is surrounded by a band of
purple velvet, bordered in gold and decorated with a gold vine of
laurel leaves and berries. The front of the cap is emblazoned with a
purple and gold Patriarchal Cross with crosslets. The wearer of this
cap is the head of the Rite in his Orient and is an Active Member of
the Supreme Council.
The violet cap is reserved for the Sovereign
Grand Commander. It is surrounded by a band of violet velvet and, like
the purple cap, is also decorated with a gold vine of laurel leaves and
berries. The front of this cap is emblazoned with the Salem Cross with
crosslets.
In addition to their caps, Scottish Rite
Masons are distinguished by their colorful regalia and jewels, which
can be seen at almost any meeting. Some of the symbolic meanings of the
regalia are well-known, and others are shrouded in the mists of
speculation (which makes Masonic research so much fun).
Central to the ritual of the 14°,
Perfect Elu, is the presentation of a ring, worn by Scottish Rite
Masons from the 14° through the 32°. It is a plain gold
band with an equilateral triangular plate enclosing the Hebrew letter
yud, the initial letter of Yahweh—the
tetragrammaton—the ineffable name of God. Engraved on the
inside is the Latin motto, "Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit" (Whom
virtue unites, death will not separate). Ill. Bro. Jim Tresner,
33°, G.C., tells us in Vested in Glory, "The circular shape of
the ring symbolizes unending commitment and loyalty, just as it does in
a marriage. The triangular plate and the letter signify that the
commitment is to the Deity."
A Thirty-Second Degree Mason, Master of the
Royal Secret, is identified with the jewel of the Degree: a gold
Teutonic Cross with the numerals XXXII surrounded by a laurel wreath in
the center and suspended from a white ribbon. The Teutonic Cross was
probably adopted because the Grand Constitutions of 1786 were believed
to be authored by the Prussian King, Frederick the Great, and the
Teutonic Knights were the preeminent German order of knighthood. The
laurel wreath is the ancient symbol of victory and triumph, and it is
used throughout Scottish Rite Regalia. Here it can signify the triumph
of attaining the Royal Secret.
After being a Thirty-Second Degree Mason in
the Southern Jurisdiction for at least 46 months and distinguishing
himself in service to Masonry, to the Scottish Rite, or to the service
of humanity, a Brother may be selected to be invested with the Rank and
Decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. The selection
is made by the Supreme Council at its Biennial Session meeting every
odd year, and about 2.5% of our members have been so recognized.
Recipients of this honor receive a special jewel to wear on their
coats, over the heart. The K.C.C.H. jewel is a red passion cross (arms
of unequal length), fitched (the ends terminate in three points) on a
circle of laurel leaves, on which is a raised gold circular plate, with
gold beads around the circumference. The plate is enameled in white,
and on it is a green trefoil, an ancient symbol of spirituality. Around
the trefoil is "KT. COMM. COURT OF HONOUR." The jewel is suspended from
a white ribbon.
Possibly the most recognized (and
certainly misunderstood) Masonic honor is the Thirty-Third Degree of
the Scottish Rite. In the Southern Jurisdiction, one who has been a
Knight Commander of the Court of Honour for at least 46 months is
eligible to be elected by the Supreme Council to this Degree. About
1.5% of our members hold this Degree. The ring is a triple band of
gold, either plain or with a triangular plate of gold enclosing the
numerals 33. The jewel, suspended from a white ribbon, has very
distinctive details.
Jim Tresner describes it as follows: "The
basis of the jewel is a Teutonic Cross. On that is a nine-pointed star,
composed of three gold triangles, interlaced. The design also forms
nine small triangles, and in each of these is one of the letters
… 'S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A.,' the Latin word for wisdom. A sword
extends from the lower part of the left side of the jewel to the upper
part of the right side. Crossing that is … a 'Hand of
Justice.' This forms a scepter, terminating in a carving of a
hand…. On top of the cross, triangles, crossed sword, and
Hand of Justice is a circular plate, and on the plate is a shield with
a crowned double-headed eagle. To the right of the eagle is a balance
and to the left is a Square and Compasses. Around the design are the
Latin words Ordo ab Chao, Order out of Chaos, enclosed by two serpents,
each biting its tail."
The Teutonic Cross continues to remind us of
the German origins of the Grand Constitutions of 1786. The
double-headed eagle looking to the East and West may be from the coat
of arms of Germany or from a French ancestor organization of the
Scottish Rite, the Emperors of the East and West. Its crown signifies
that the Thirty-third Degree is the administrative Degree of the Rite,
and this symbolism of proper administration is continued with the sword
of strength, the hand of justice, and the scales in balance. The three
three-sided figures remind us of 33, the number of this Degree, while
Sapientia indicates the symbolic achievement required for this
recognition. The snakes biting their tails are ancient symbols of
eternity and completion, and can allude to the scriptural admonition,
"Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew
10:16).
The highest honor awarded by the Supreme
Council, 33°, S.J., is the Grand Cross of the Court of Honour.
There are fewer than 60 living recipients of this decoration out of
nearly 400,000 members in the Southern Jurisdiction. The Grand Cross
jewel has as its foundation the Teutonic Cross of the 32° and
33° resting on a wreath of gold oak leaves, emblematic of
strength of purpose in the service of humanity and the Rite. In the
center is a gold circular plate with a blue enameled border containing
the gold letters, "GR. CROSS COURT OF HONOUR." In the center of the
plate is an enameled crimson rose with green leaves on a white
background. The red rose recalls the imagery of the 18°, Knight
Rose Croix, where the flower represents renewal, as a recipient of the
Grand Cross is forever renewing his efforts to serve.
All of the unique regalia of the
Scottish Rite is explained in detail with color pictures in Bro. Jim
Tresner's book, Vested in Glory (see "Book Reviews").
Along with other vendors who supply Scottish
Rite rings and jewels, Ill. Thad D. Wilkins, 33°, of Wilkins
Bros., Inc. (W.B.I.), will be in attendance at the Bicentennial
Celebration in Charleston, along with two assistants, Misty Rose and
Mary Schenkel. W.B.I. has two Bicentennial Session incentives to offer.
First, a handsome gift 32° pendant (3/4" square, pictured here
enlarged, a $24.95 value) will be given free with each purchase at the
Session of a 32° Jewel. Second, there will be a special Session
one-time-only offer on all Jewels purchased in Charleston. Also, to
build Scottish Rite pride and enhance membership, W.B.I. will send a
free 32° pendant to any first-line signer on the petition of a
successful Candidate for the Scottish Rite Degrees. W.B.I. will depend
on Valley Secretaries for this information. Thank you, Bro. Thad for
this generous gesture to promote Scottish Rite membership!
Contact information: Wilkins Inc., 505
Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32963, toll-free (800)
845–9566; fax 561–231–6453; e-mail mlrose@gate.net or
visit www.vero.com/wilkins.
Pierre G. "Pete" Normand, Jr.
is a Past Master of both Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 and St. Alban's Lodge
No. 1455 in College Station, Texas, and is a Past Master of Texas Lodge
of Research. He is Director of Work of the Scottish Rite Bodies in
Houston, Texas. He is a founding member of both the St. Alban's
Research Society and the Preservation Masonic Research Society. He is
the former editor of American Masonic Review and is currently an editor
of the Plumbline,
the bulletin of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Reprinted
with permission of the Scottish Rite Journal, October 2001
