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

Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols 199
various degrees. In Section 4.3.1 it has been shown that the white of the
lambskin apron stands for purity and innocence. Another Masonic explanation is
that white denotes the element earth: "The Masonic colors, like those used in the
Jewish tabernacle, are intended to represent the four elements. The white typifies
the earth, the sea is represented by the purple, the sky-blue is an emblem of the
air, and the crimson of fire." 550 The trinity of the colors blue, red, and purple
were called in early English Masonic lectures "the old colors of Masonry," and
the reason therefore was "because they are royal, and such as the ancient kings
and princes used to wear; and sacred history informs us that the veil of the
Temple was composed of these colors." 551 What do the colors denote in detail?
Black
According to the EOF, "[b]lack, in the Masonic ritual, is constantly the
symbol of grief. This is perfectly consistent with its use in the world, where
black has from remote antiquity been adopted as the garment of mourning." 552 In
most Masonic rites, black refers to the death of the Chief Builder of the Temple,
in the degree of Knights Templar, it alludes to the martyrdom of Jacques de
Molay, in the degree of Rose-Croix, it refers to the crucifixion, and in the degree
of the Antient and Primitive Rite, to the sufferings of humanity. 553
In Masonry this color is confined to but a few degrees, but everywhere
has the single meaning of sorrow. Thus in the French Rite, during the
ceremony of raising a candidate to the Master's Degree, the Lodge is
clothed in black strewed with tears, as a token of grief for the loss of a
distinguished member of the Fraternity [...]. This usage is not, however,
observed in the York Rite. 554
There exists one exception to the general interpretation of black as grief: in
the degree of Select Master, where the vestments are black and bordered with
red, the black symbolizes silence and secrecy, as the distinguishing virtues of a
Select Master. 555 Black is also a symbolic color for the evil in life, while white is
the symbol for the good (cf. Section 4.1.1 with regard to the mosaic pavement or
checkered floor). Furthermore, when balloting for a candidate, white balls elect
and black balls reject the applicant (who is "blackballed"), so that black denotes
a negative opinion.
550 MD, p. 166.
551 EOF, p. 613.
552 Ibid, p. 105.
553 Cf. TRMC, p. 75.
554 EOF, p. 105.
555 Cf. EOF, p. 105.