The Badge of a Mason

"I have the pleasure of presenting you a lambskin, or white leather apron. It 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 or Garter, or any other Order that can be conferred upon you, at this or any future period, by king, prince, potentate, or any other person, except he be a Mason; and which I hope you will wear with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity." -- Blue Lodge Text Book, Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi Free and Accepted Masons

Every Mason has heard these words. While an analysis of this portion of the Degree would prove beneficial to the individal Brother with a thirst for a complete understanding of the subject matter, complete with it's association to purity, innocence, Chivalric orders, and the like, this treatise will not parse each line of the preceding passage. Rather, it shall view the passage through a lens focused on lesser known, esoteric, and symbolic aspects of the esteemed Badge of a Mason.

Geometrically, the Masonic apron is composed of two shapes: an oblong square (the body of the apron), and a triangle (the movable top flap), of four and three sides respectively. From a numerological perspective, the number four (the number of sides of the oblong square) is associated with the material world, while the number three (the number of sides of the triangle) is associated with the spiritual or the Divine.

Focusing solely on the Quaternary body of the apron (see above illustration), in the shape of the oblong square, the number four reminds us of the ancient perspective that the physical realm is comprised of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Hence the association of the number four with the material universe that is all around us. This association also extends to the four cardinal, earthly virtues which are showcased in our lectures, namely: temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice. Due to these associations, the number four is a symbol by which the physical universe is visually represented by the shape of the four-sided body of the Masonic apron.

Similarly, within the points of the Ternary flap of the apron (see above illustration), in the shape of the triangle, we are reminded of the likewise ancient perspective that the spiritual realm, that of the Divine, is associated with the number three. This correlation is most commonly brought to mind in the modern age via the belief in the Trinity of Christianity (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit), but is also present in other faiths including that of the ancient Egyptians (Osiris, Isis, and Horus), Hinduism (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), and even Modern Paganism (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). In the Knight of the Sun Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Albert Pike tells us that the ancients believed there were three essential attributes of God: (1) the intellect that desired to create, (2) the power to create, and (3) the actual coming forth of that creation when the Will and the Power combined. An analogy can also be drawn from these three "essential attributes" to the three great pillars of Masonry: the intellect being associated with Wisdom, the power being associated with Strength, and the creation being associated with Beauty. Lastly, the meaning of the number three, in this context, extends to that of the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and charity (love). Due to all of these associations, the number three is a symbol by which the spiritual world is visually represented by the shape of the three-sided triangular flap of the Masonic apron.

When one views the symbolism of the Masonic apron through the lens of the esoteric numerological associations featured within the aforementioned text, a direct correlation can be drawn to each of the modes in which the apron can be worn during a Brother Mason's initiatic journey through the three degrees of the Symbolic Blue Lodge. With the triangular flap turned up, we see illustrated a division or separation between the physical (the number four) and the spiritual (the number three), emblematic of the life stage of youth in all it's naivety. With the triangular flap turned down, we see illustrated a unity between the physical (the number four) and the spiritual (the number three), emblematic of adulthood and the recognition of the spark of the divine within man. Lastly, with the triangular flap turned down and the left corner of the oblong square tucked up, the apron takes the shape of the triangle, symbolic of the spiritual and the divine, emblematic of old age and wisdom; the Badge of a Mason exemplifies our journey from youth to adulthood, and finally to that last stage of life before we gain admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.