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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 639
[...] your fingers represent the bars of an open-barred visor, such as
knights formerly wore on their helmets. As, in ancient times, a knight,
entering a castle or camp of his friends, raised his visor to disclose his
identity, so you, entering a Pythian castle hall, make this sign: ____.
When going outside, where he would surely meet strangers and possibly
enemies, he lowered his visor, to protect his face and to conceal his
identity; so you, when leaving a castle hall, make this sign: ____. (p.
106; Rank of Knight signs)
On the altar are placed, instead of compass and square, one or two swords
resting on the Bible ("book of law"). God is addressed as "Supreme Ruler of the
Universe." The American Flag is saluted with the right hand military salute,
similar to Craft Masonry (Allegiance to the Flag), and to the Modern Woodmen
of America ("Woodmen's Honors"). The application prescriptions for candidate
of the Knights of Pythias can also be compared to Masonic requirements. In
order to join the K.O.P., a man has to be "of sound bodily health" and to "believe
in the existence of a Supreme Being" (p. 29).
The meeting room of the Knights of Pythias is not called lodge, but Castle
Hall. The chief officer of a
Castle Hall is the
Chancellor Commander.
The other officers are the
Vice Chancellor, the Past
Chancellor, the Master of
Finance, the Master of
Exchequer, the Keeper of
Records and Seals (who
corresponds to the Masonic
Secretary), the Prelate, the
Orator, the Master-at-Arms,
the Inner Guard, and the
Outer Guard. The members
are called "Knights," the
candidate is called
"Stranger," and after his
obligation, "friend."