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His Royal Highness David Kalakaua

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
honolulu08.jpg

On December 20, 1874, a special meeting of New York Lodge No. 330 was held to exemplify the third degree for the edification of a Brother. His Royal Highness David Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands, and a member of Le Progres de l'Oceanie Lodge No. 124 (Supreme Council of France) Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. After the degree was exemplified, the Bible on which George Washington had taken his oath of office was displayed. The royal visitor asked that the book be opened at the page where the oath was administered. He took the book in both hands and kissed the page saying "I thank God for this privilege."

On January 15, 1865, the same royal visitor attended Chicago's Oriental Lodge No. 33 which had called a special meeting. Over four hundred distinguished visitors attended.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
On January 15, 1865, the same royal visitor attended Chicago's Oriental Lodge No. 33 which had called a special meeting. Over four hundred distinguished visitors attended.

To this day Oriental 33 remains one of the most active lodges in the state of Illinois.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
In Masonic (and colloquial) terms, it refers to the east. The Oriental Chair (where the WM sits), for example.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
When we read Oriental, does it mean a specific country origin or culture?

In Roman history the Occident was the part of the Empire that answered to Rome; the Orient was the part of the Empire that answered to Constantinople. The word in an era long ago meant that country or culture. Ever since the words have been synonymous with West and East as their primary historical meaning with other meanings accumulated over time. King Solomon's Temple ended up in the Orient. Freemasonry was founded in the Occident.

Calling the WM's chair the Oriental Chair is broad, but it's a simple symbol.

Orient gets used all over the place in Masonry. My SR membership is Valley of Pasadena in the Orient of California. There are grand bodies with the word in their name, often not recognized. The more you look the more examples you will find.
 

Milos-33

Registered User
Thank you for your concern, highly appreciated.

Why there's confusion between Orient and Occident Origin and foundation for Freemasonry? Some tells its founded in Tyre and Sidon, when Solomon's used the skills of Ahiram. Some gives a specific date with Anderson's Constitution.

Sure Freemasonry started its first corner-stone someplace!




Milos-33
 
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