Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

A. Blue, purple, scarlet and white.
Q. What does blue denote?
A. Friendship, and is the principal color of a Master Mason.
Q. What does purple denote?
A. It being composed of blue and scarlet, it is placed before the first and third veils of the
colors, to denote the intimate connection between this most sublime degree, and ancient
Craft Masonry.
Q. What does scarlet denote?
A. That fervency and zeal which should actuate all Royal Arch Masons, and is the
peculiar color of this Degree.
Q. What does white denote?
A. That purity of life and rectitude of conduct which should govern all those who seek to
gain admission into that Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies.
Q. To whom do the four veils allude?
A. To the four tribes of the children of Israel, who bore the banners through the
wilderness, viz.: Judah, Reuben, Ephraim and Dan, emblematically represented by the
strength of the Lion, the intelligence of the Man, the patience of the Ox and the swiftness
of the Eagle.
Q. Where were the veils placed?
A. At the outer courts of the tabernacle.
p. 256
Q. Why there?
A. To serve as a covering for the tabernacle and stations for the guards.
Q. Why were guards stationed there?
A. To take special pains that none pass or repass, except such as were duly qualified, as
none were permitted to enter the presence of the Most Excellent High Priest, Excellent
King, and Scribe, except the true descendants of the twelve (12) tribes of the children of
Israel.
Q. How did the children of Israel make themselves known to the several guards?