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Wearing the Bling

Should EA's and FC's be allowed to wear Masonic jewlerey?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 10.1%
  • No

    Votes: 137 86.7%
  • Undecided

    Votes: 5 3.2%

  • Total voters
    158

dfreybur

Premium Member
I have seen an EA symbol as a lapel pin in another state. An EA wearing an EA symbol or an FC wearing an FC symbol seems appropriate to me. If he can find anything like that.

But wearing a symbol of a degree you have not yet received/earned? No please. Since the vast majority of Masonic jewelry uses the S&C as publicly displayed on our buildings, the vast majority of items are not appropriate to EAs and FCs.

I did not wear an AASR, Shrine or PM symbol until I had earned those, either.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
You can receive a Masonic funeral if you are an ea or fc in TX but it Is law only MM can wear jewelry. To me seems if you can get a funeral you should be able to wear jewelry if so desired.


My Freemasonry
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas brethren may remember that in 2007 Grand Master Tommy Broughton had a campaign that saw him pin on EA and FC pins on those of us going through our degrees. I was lucky enough to receive an EA pin from him at Holland Lodge No. 1 in January and the FC pin when he came down to the old Shrine Temple a few months later.

Right Worshipful Broughton was kind enough to give me a MM pin the following December at Grand Lodge. This, plus getting a chance to set in the Grand Senior Deacons place during open Grand Lodge ceremonies a few years back where highlights in my masonic journey that I will keep close to my heart throughout my days. I thank then Grand Senior Deacon Gary Mosmeyer for that last honor.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas brethren may remember that in 2007 Grand Master Tommy Broughton had a campaign that saw him pin on EA and FC pins on those of us going through our degrees. I was lucky enough to receive an EA pin from him at Holland Lodge No. 1 in January and the FC pin when he came down to the old Shrine Temple a few months later.

I can think of a few symbols that are unique to the second degree that could be used but none that are explicitly called out as such in the degree. In the lecture of the first degree there is a paragraph explaining the meaning of the EA symbol and there is a slide of it when the slides are displayed. This suggests to me the FC symbol is one that might not draw notice in outside company.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
I took a quick look at TX GL law last night and could not find the law so I fear I was talking out the side of my mouth. It seems very real that I read it in the law long ago but that could be my mind mixing rumors into fact! :( I will look a little harder this weekend.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
I can think of a few symbols that are unique to the second degree that could be used but none that are explicitly called out as such in the degree. In the lecture of the first degree there is a paragraph explaining the meaning of the EA symbol and there is a slide of it when the slides are displayed. This suggests to me the FC symbol is one that might not draw notice in outside company.


Simply put. It has all to do with the placement of the S & Q.

Again, this was a one-off campaign and only one year in duration. The ground rule still applies to EAs and FCs in Texas.
 

JonBoy

Premium Member
You know I had the honor of receiving my masters ring from my great- grandfather when I was a EA but I didn't put it on until I was raised mainly because I was asked not to. And he explained it to me why it's important for only master masons to wear the master masons ring


My Freemasonry
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
It has all to do with the placement of the S & Q.

I was thinking of the grain thing. I figure an emblem with the placement would be too hard to tell so it would get confused. Thanks!

So one MW GM did not follow an old local tradition but he was not enough to change the old tradition. It shows the local tradition is not a written rule anyways.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
To the best of my knowledge there is no specific law governing the wearing of Masonic jewelry by an EA or FC. Apparently it is more a matter of protocol.

However, the following article prohibits Lodges from making known the names of EAs & FCs, and an inference could be drawn that they, accordingly, are thus prohibited from identifying themselves as Masons.

Art. 405a. Publication of Names Prohibited.
The names of Petitioners, Candidates, Entered Apprentice Masons and Fellowcraft Masons shall not be published in a Lodge newsletter or any news media public or private. (Adopted 1990)
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
However, the following article prohibits Lodges from making known the names of EAs & FCs, and an inference could be drawn that they, accordingly, are thus prohibited from identifying themselves as Masons.

My inference is this rule allows EAs and FCs to keep their membership private if they chose so it's up to them if they let the world know they are Masons.

As such to me it's only indirectly related to wearing a symbol they have earned, if they chose to, if they can find an EA or FC symbol at all, if they have local buy-in on an exception to the tradition. As there is precedent for an EA wearing an EA lapel pin I would not object to local buy-in but that's only 1 of 3 if clauses and I'm only 1 of many regulars at my local lodge.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I believe that you should have to earn the right to "wear the bling" by doing everything required to be, and then raised to, a Master Mason.
 

bezobrazan

Registered User
I didn't have a problem waiting to become a Master Mason so I can wear my ring. It wasn't killing me, eating away at me. What's the hurry? This whole need for instant gratification has gotten out of hand. Me, me, me doesn't work in a Lodge because it's about US, all of us.

If your heart & head isn't in the right place - it doesn't matter what's on your finger.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I didn't have a problem waiting to become a Master Mason so I can wear my ring. It wasn't killing me, eating away at me. What's the hurry? This whole need for instant gratification has gotten out of hand. Me, me, me doesn't work in a Lodge because it's about US, all of us.

If your heart & head isn't in the right place - it doesn't matter what's on your finger.
Very well said sir.
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
I was more worried about giving back my chetachisms then buying a ring. If you feel like you need an "EA or FC" ring or bling then i guess you feel like you will be in that degree for a while!

A S/C ring, is something you earn to wear. Most if them have working tools on them that you wouldn't even be able to explain until your raised!

So if your on the freshman football team your gonna wear a varsity letter and jacket. Yea you will be laughed at the same way you will be laughed at in a blue lodge wearing a ring that you DO NOT EVEN FULLY KNOW THE MEANING OF.

Until you are a MM you do not FULLY know what the position of the points of the compass are.
 
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