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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 547
Honor; 6. Chevalier; 7. Medal of Heroism; 8. Blue Honor Award; and 9. Merit
Medals. 1508
In a later chapter, we have described the Masonic girls' order as treasurehunting
for moral and patriotic values, using the symbolism of a rainbow at
whose end a pot of gold is hidden, as seen fitting for young girls. The Order of
the Rainbow symbolizes its tenets by a play on the seven colors of the rainbow,
which stand for service, patriotism, fidelity, immortality, nature, religion, and
love. The boys' order, on the contrary, to be attractive to its members employs
the legend of the last Grand Master of the Medieval Knights Templar, correctly
spelled De Molai, who was burned on the stake on March 11 th , 1314. The Order
of DeMolay also exemplifies the symbolism of the number seven by using seven
jewels that are placed in the Crown of Youth. These jewels stand for filial love,
reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness, and
patriotism. We cannot fail to see that the later invented Order of the Rainbow for
girls is a fairly close imitation of the Order of DeMolay for boys.
The heroic character of Jacques DeMolay was chosen as an example to teach
the boys fidelity that is loyal unto death. As it is said in the ritual,
[t]yranny teaches the need of toleration. Bigotry sounds the call to
brotherhood. We seek to emphasize the magnificent heroism of
DeMolay, his unfaltering fidelity to the trust reposed in him, his loyalty
unto death. These and other virtues, which belong to no age or time, we
have infused into our teachings as the most enduring basis of broadly
built human character. We believe that if we build our lives as young
men on such a foundation, we shall be stronger and better men when the
greater duties of citizenship become ours. (p. 38)
The story of DeMolay possesses enough chivalry and honor to lure boys into
becoming members, and thus is adapted to the needs and expectations of its
audience. Historically, the Templar order was destroyed by connivance between
Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V. In 1306, the Pope wrote to De
Molai at Cypress to come to Paris to consult on matters of importance to the
Order, and upon his arrival, De Molai and 60 Knights, who had brought a great
treasure with them, were imprisoned. On October 13 th , 1307, the King had every
Knight Templar to be found in France arrested, 54 were burned at the stake in
1310, and De Molai and three principal associates followed that fate in 1314. 1509
1508 Cf. CME, p. 188.
1509 For further historical information on the Knights Templar, see CME, p. 207 and 351-354.