The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols
With regard to Grand Lodges, it must be mentioned that their jewels do not
exhibit as much uniformity as those of a subordinate lodge. 478 Their jewels are
made of gold or yellow metal. According to the GHCDF 479 , the Past Grand
Master wears a compass opened on a quarter circle, with a triangle in the center.
The Grand Master wears a compass, opened on a quarter circle, with a sun in the
center. The Deputy Grand Master wears a square, the Senior Grand Warden a
level, and the Junior Grand Warden a plumb. This corresponds to the jewels of
the Master and the two Wardens of a Subordinate Lodge. Likewise, the Grand
Treasurer wears crossed keys, and the Grand Secretary crossed pens. These
symbols are not peculiarly Masonic but the ordinary attributes of these official
functions. Therefore, we can also find them in other fraternal societies, e.g. in the
Knights of Pythias (cf. illustrations in Section 7.3.4). The Grand Chaplain also
wears an open Bible, and the Grand Marshall a scroll crossed with a sword. As in
Craft Masonry, the Grand Stewards have as emblem the cornucopia. The Grand
Standard Bearers wear a banner, which is the sign of their office since they carry
flags or banners. The Grand Deacon has a jewel depicting a dove that bears an
olive branch, which is a Biblical symbol. The Grand Pursuivant wears a sword
crossed with a trumpet, which is a profane heraldic symbol. Finally, the Grand
Tyler like the Tyler of a subordinate lodge wears an emblem illustrating crossed
swords.
The jewels of a Royal Arch chapter are fancier, as is also the degree. They
are made of gold or yellow metal, and all symbols appear in the center of a
triangle, the latter being a well-known symbol for the Deity. The jewels of the
principal officers recall the costumes of high priests, kings, soldiers, and
pilgrims: the High Priest wears the emblem of a miter. The King has as emblem
a level, surmounted by a crown. Thus, it becomes apparent that Masonic and
worldly imagery is combined. The Scribe, in the same fashion, wears a plumb
surmounted by a turban. The Captain of the Host wears a triangular plate,
inscribed with a soldier. The Principal Sojourner wears a triangular plate that is
inscribed with a pilgrim. The Royal Arch Captain wears a jewel illustrating a
sword, and has a signet ring on his finger. The four Masters of the Veils each
have a sword as their emblem. The symbols of the Treasurer, the Secretary, the
Chaplain, and the Sentinel (corresponding to the Tyler) are the same as in a
subordinate lodge or Grand Lodge.
478 Cf. CME, p. 339.
479 Cf. GHCDF, p. 182, 186.