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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 437
lodge is dedicated - this time to Zerubbabel. The symbolic color of the Royal
Arch Degree - in contrast to the blue of Craft Masonry viz. the three "Blue
Lodge" degrees - is scarlet, a symbol of fervency and zeal. This degree also has a
motto which appears on the front of the High Priest's mitre: "Holiness to the
Lord." 1348
The outward appearance of a Royal Arch Chapter, assuming the form of an
arch, has also an inherent social and hierarchical meaning. The ark in whose
vault allegedly the secrets were hidden does not only symbolize the necessity of
secrecy but, by its architectural particularity, stands for the union and
permanency of the Freemasonry. It further teaches the companions to obey the
authority, whether it be civilian or Masonic. This is reminiscent of Anderson's
Constitutions (cf. Chapter 2) which demand that each Mason be a faithful
subject:
The form of a R. A. Chapter, when properly arranged, approaches as
nearly as circumstances will permit, that of a catenarian arch. Thus we
preserve a memorial of the vaulted shrine in which the Sacred Word
was deposited; whilst from the impenetrable nature of this, the strongest
of all architectural forms, we learn the necessity of guarding our
mysteries from profanation by the most inviolable secrecy. It also
strongly typifies that invariable adherence to social order, and spirit of
fraternal union, which have given energy and permanency to the whole
constitution of Freemasonry, thereby enabling it to survive the wreck of
mighty empires, and resist the destroying hand of time. And as the
subordinate members of the catenarian arch naturally gravitate towards
the centre or keystone, which compresses and binds the whole structure
together, so are we taught to look up with reverence, and submit with
cheerfulness, to every lawfully constituted authority, whether it be of
Civil or Masonic regulation. 1349
The officers of a Royal Arch Chapter are 1. the High Priest, 2. the King, 3.
the Scribe, 4. the Treasurer, 5. the Secretary, 6. the Chaplain, 7. the Captain of
the Host, 8. the Principal Sojourner, 9. the Royal Arch Captain, 10. the Master of
the 3 rd Veil, 11. the Master of the 2 nd Veil, 12. the Master of the 1 st Veil, and 13.
the Sentinel. To the left of the Secretary is placed the Royal Arch Standard, and
to the right of the Treasurer is placed the American Flag. At the Northwest
corner of the officers' chairs are placed the respective banners: the banner of the
Master of the 1 st Veil is blue, shows an eagle, stands for friendship, and
represents the tribe of Dan. The banner of the Master of the 2 nd Veil is purple,
shows a man, stands for union, and represents the tribe of Reuben. The banner of
the Master of the 3 rd Veil is scarlet, shows an ox, stands for zeal, and represents
the tribe of Ephraim. Finally, the banner of the Royal Arch Captain is white,
shows a lion, stands for purity, and represents the tribe of Judah.
1348 P. 165.
1349 Lewis, p. 85/86.