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Your Ring

MarkR

Premium Member
I have a way to go before getting a ring (only an EA right now will worked turned in), but I do have a question for everyone. What are your views on a ring with a G vs. a ring without? I know the G is normal to see in the United States and without in Europe. Who has seen what and thoughts?

Thank you


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Scotland also uses the G.
 

j_gimpy

Registered User
Personally, I like the G. Either way you interpret it, as standing for God or Geometry, it's a beautiful symbol.



Entered Apprentice Mason
Phoenix Lodge #154
Sumner, Washington
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I have a way to go before getting a ring (only an EA right now will worked turned in), but I do have a question for everyone. What are your views on a ring with a G vs. a ring without? I know the G is normal to see in the United States and without in Europe. Who has seen what and thoughts?

My jurisdiction uses the G so my MM ring has the G. I've seen a UK friend's ring and it doesn't have the G. I didn't give any thought beyond going with my own jurisdiction's tradition.

My jurisdictions use slightly different PM symbols so I now have two different PM rings one with each design. My California PM ring has a quadrant and square with a sunburst in the center the same as my PM apron. My Illinois PM ring as a quadrant, square, compass with a G in the center. In both cases I didn't think past those being the designs available in those places.
 

Starr

Registered User
Personally, I like the G. Either way you interpret it, as standing for God or Geometry, it's a beautiful symbol.



Entered Apprentice Mason
Phoenix Lodge #154
Sumner, Washington

I understand the idea of G, standing for God or Geometry. Although some would say God and/or Geometry do not start with G in every religion or language.


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j_gimpy

Registered User
I understand the idea of G, standing for God or Geometry. Although some would say God and/or Geometry do not start with G in every religion or language.


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Hm I didn't think of that. Good point.



Entered Apprentice Mason
Phoenix Lodge #154
Sumner, Washington
 

Starr

Registered User
My jurisdiction uses the G so my MM ring has the G. I've seen a UK friend's ring and it doesn't have the G. I didn't give any thought beyond going with my own jurisdiction's tradition.

My jurisdictions use slightly different PM symbols so I now have two different PM rings one with each design. My California PM ring has a quadrant and square with a sunburst in the center the same as my PM apron. My Illinois PM ring as a quadrant, square, compass with a G in the center. In both cases I didn't think past those being the designs available in those places.

I think I agree with the idea of following your jurisdiction. This would seem to be the proper choice.


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DDWW

Registered User
My custom ring made for Michigan MM's 20 years ago has shrunk!

My new goal sinse retiring this year is to get rid of those extra #'s so it will fit again.

already down 8 sinse Febuary.

DDWW
 

BigBill777

Registered User
The G for me was the only thing that made me want to get involved with the craft. The representations of God was the most important thing for me.

BigBill
 

appzdude

Registered User
Not only should the ring not be worn but your avatar should not be the MM S & C either.

SD, Buda Lodge #800, Buda, TX
 

crono782

Premium Member
In regards to with or without the "G", I would follow the norm of your jurisdiction.
Apparently, in some countries there are EA/FC rings that it's cool to wear, but it's still not kosher here. Likewise what Bro Doug said about the PM symbol. While it might be more stylish in one jurisdiction than the other, it is not quite proper to wear another one's symbol. Thus is my view of the "G". I view it as less reverent (to your jurisdiction) not wear your own's usage of it.
 

Mason653

Registered User
Brethren, I am a FC soon to receive my MM. I inherited my grandfathers MM ring. All of brothers at lodge don't mind if I wear it. The WM even told me "wear it, it's your grandfathers, if anyone ask just tell them it's your grandfathers ring and you are FC."

I also have his PHA ritual books.

What are your opinions on it?

Yours Truly 357


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Dow Mathis

Premium Member
Brethren, I am a FC soon to receive my MM. I inherited my grandfathers MM ring. All of brothers at lodge don't mind if I wear it. The WM even told me "wear it, it's your grandfathers, if anyone ask just tell them it's your grandfathers ring and you are FC."

I also have his PHA ritual books.

What are your opinions on it?

Mason653,

I can only offer you the advice that was passed along to me after being initiated:

If you've got a masonic ring, then you probably want to hold off wearing it until you've been raised. Likewise with masonic stickers, license plates, pins, etc. We know you're proud to be a mason. That's not the issue. The issue is the potential problems it could cause. Let's say that you walk up to two Master Masons, and they're talking about something in the master's degree. They see your ring and assume that you're a master as well, and keep right on with their conversation. That could cause them to share some information with you that you're not meant to have yet, which would be an embarrassment to them when they find out. That knowledge could also potentially cheapen your experience when you're raised, and nobody wants that to happen.

Now I'll add a little something to what I was told. In addition to what you read above, wearing the symbol of a Master Mason when you aren't one (even though you do it to honor your grandfather's memory), could call into question your motives and your honesty, as you'd be inadvertently passing yourself off as something that you're not. Ours is an honorable organization, and honesty and honor are of the utmost value.

On the other side of that coin, let's say that you're wearing that ring, and someone who wants to become a mason sees it and starts asking you about masonry. You're a fellowcraft, not a master, and as such, probably won't have the answers to his questions. That isn't fair to him as a potential candidate, nor is it fair to your lodge, which will have been represented in a less than knowledgeable light. I was raised three years ago, and I'm not even close to having all of the answers. I doubt that I ever will. We owe it to the masons of tomorrow to be as knowledgeable as possible when those men come to us for answers. We also owe it to the fraternity to know which questions can and which cannot be answered to those outside the craft. To save face for yourself and the fraternity, don't walk around looking like something that you aren't yet.

Leave the ring at home for now. You've got the rest of your life to wear it once you've been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
 

crono782

Premium Member
Ill say kinda what I said before: suppose my grandfather was a major in the army yet I am only a PFC. It does me proud to wear his majors stripes and regalia. Would other majors take offense?

Of course the above is hypothetical, but you get the idea. Wearing what you have not earned, does a disservice to you and others. You will get there soon. Don't rush it. Show respect to the ring as a symbol, not as an accessory.


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Bro Mervold

Registered User
He is well on his way to being a MM and my view would be he asked his fellow brothers if it would be ok and that shows character and respect secondly he is not pretending to be a MM so it's not being dishonest if someone asks say your a FC no big deal he is a brother and apart of this fraternity. If I got a ring pasted down I would wear it whether I was a mason or not because that would be special experience on a personal level. This is my opinion and will certainly differ from other people's and that's ok


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dfreybur

Premium Member
Apparently, in some countries there are EA/FC rings that it's cool to wear, but it's still not kosher here.

I've never seen an EA rings (yet) but I have seen an EA lapel pin. It's okay to wear in at least Illinois - Only wear symbols of the degrees you are qualified for.

It is interesting that some jurisdictions don't allow that.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Back to the topic of the G, The Journal of the Masonic Society, Issue #18, had a very good article on the symbolism of the "G" that might help you decide.
 

dew_time

Registered User
I would like to order a ring now to wear once I am a MM, I have seen two that strike my fancy. One has a compass, square, pillars and a skull and cross bones in the center of all that. The other is simply the compass, square and a skull in place of where the G normally is. My question is, are these acceptable representations of he craft?

Doug Jewell
Entered Apprentice
Reynoldsburg #340
Ohio Grand Lodge of The F&AM
 

Dow Mathis

Premium Member
Back to the topic of the G, The Journal of the Masonic Society, Issue #18, had a very good article on the symbolism of the "G" that might help you decide.
Mark,

Any chance you could provide a synopsis of this article? I'm not a subscriber, and I'm sure that others here aren't either and would welcome a "cliff's notes" look at it.

Thanks,
Dow
 

Mason653

Registered User
I would like to order a ring now to wear once I am a MM, I have seen two that strike my fancy. One has a compass, square, pillars and a skull and cross bones in the center of all that. The other is simply the compass, square and a skull in place of where the G normally is. My question is, are these acceptable representations of he craft?

Doug Jewell
Entered Apprentice
Reynoldsburg #340
Ohio Grand Lodge of The F&AM

Yes it's acceptable.


Your Brother 357

Fontana Lodge #653 FC
IOOF Lodge #345 - Vice Grand

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