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

202
Chapter 4 - Signs & Symbols
purple is the color of the collars and aprons of Grand Officers and Provincial
Grand Officers. Accordingly, "[i]n English Masonry, the Grand Officers of the
Grand Lodge and the Past Grand and Deputy Grand Masters and Past and
Present Provincial Grand Masters are called 'purple brethren,' because of the
color of their decorations." 567 This term is not found in American Masonry. In
the same sense, in Institutes of Masonic Jurisprudence Oliver refers to Grand
and Provincial Grand Lodges as "Purple Lodges." 568
Red
Red, scarlet, or crimson is the appropriate color of the Royal Arch Degree
and symbolizes ardor and zeal. 569 In profane language, red denotes fire, which is
considered a symbol of regeneration and purification of the soul. Congruently,
the red in the Royal Arch Degree refers to the rebuilding of the temple, and
figuratively to the regeneration of life (cf. Section 8.1.3 on the Royal Arch
ritual). In the high degrees of Freemasonry, red can be interpreted either with
reference to moral, or to history. If alluding to moral, it symbolizes the virtue of
fervency, and if alluding to history, it means the shedding of blood. Thus, in the
degree of Perfection, red is a moral symbol of zeal for the glory of God, and for
the candidate's advancement towards perfection in Masonry and virtue, whereas
in the degree of Provost and Judge, the color red is emblematic of the death of
one of the founders of the institution.
Violet
According to the EOF, violet is only a Masonic color in some of the high
degrees of the Scottish Rite, where it is a symbol of mourning, thus becoming
one of the decorations of a Sorrow Lodge. 570 In Christianity, violet is the color of
the Savior during his passion; hence, a color of a martyr. An interesting color
symbolism can be observed in China, where blue is the color of the dead, while
red is the color of the living; hence, an equal admixture of blue and red is a
symbol of the resurrection to eternal life. As Mackey states, "[s]uch an idea is
peculiarly appropriate to the use of violet in the high degrees of Masonry as a
symbol of mourning. It would be equally appropriate in the primary degrees, for
everywhere in Masonry we are taught to mourn not as those who have no hope.
Our grief for the dead is that of those who believe in the immortal life." 571
567 Ibid.
568 Ibid, p. 602. See also TRMC, p. 584.
569 Cf. TRMC, p. 597.
570 Cf. EOF, p. 828. See also TRMC, p. 760.
571 EOF, p. 828.