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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 457
In the East, there is a rectangular white altar with a purple frontal, which is
embroidered with the red Cross of the Order. On the altar is a seven-stepped
pyramidal superstructure surmounted by a red Passion Cross. The upper three
steps are red and the lower four white.
There are sixteen candles 1405 , two vases containing roses and lilies-of-thevalley,
a Bible (a) opened at Matt. xvi, 24 1406 , an Alms-Dish (b), and an
unsheathed sword (c) with its hilt to the South arranged on the altar, as can be
seen in plan B.
Other equipment needed is a basin and water, an equilateral triangle, a crossstaff,
copies of the Statutes and By-Laws, and a cushion for Arms and Insignia.
As to the clothing and insignia, the Sovereign wears a red robe, a sceptre, and
his personal insignia according to his rank in the Orders. He may wear a Royal
Arch robe and a sceptre of Z. (p. 13). The Viceroy wears a white robe with the
red Cross of the Order embroidered on the breast, and a pastoral staff, as well as
his personal insignia according to his rank in the Orders. He may use the Royal
Arch robe of P.S. (p. 13). The High Prelate wears a white surplice, for which he
may equally use the R.A. robe of P.S. The Knights wear their personal insignia
according to their ranks in the Orders, and the candidate wears Royal Arch
clothing (with R.C.C. sash, jewel, sword and scabbard). The sword is a
discontinued utensil, except for the Senior and Junior Generals, the Marshal, the
Herald, the Sentinel, and the candidate. It is worn suspended from the sash.
1405 Since the 16 stars on the standard refer to the number of letters in the motto In Hoc Signo Vinces,
it is obvious that the 16 candles have the same function.
1406 This Biblical verse reads: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."