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Apron Style variations across jurisdictions

bro.william

Premium Member
Right. This is just about getting some basic learning under my belt. I'm requesting pics and explanations of the various apron possibilities in the GLs of the brethren of this forum.

In another thread, I posted the query below about how aprons work in Texas and the US. Moving it now to its own thread.

Do I understand correctly that the white apron is for MMs? English style = white apron is EA. FC has two light blue rosettes, one in each bottom corner. MM is edged in light blue with three rosettes, the additional one being in the flap.
US aprons are white through all three degrees. They are worn differently for each.

Even before this response, I'd kind of got the impression that it's most common in US lodges for the lodge itself to have a supply of white aprons which most of the brethren use for day-to-day, garden variety meetings – except for officers and PMs, who have their own aprons of office. Bro. JC just confirmed that.

For all that, though, I keep seeing decorated regalia for sale, such as this, which is listed as a "Master Mason's Apron", and is closer to what I would have expected (naïvely, it appears) from my English lodge experience:

51VXf1iPI4L._UX385_.jpg


And in researching Tranquility Lodge in anticipation of an eventual petition, I've seen this plenty often:

Unknown.jpeg



What I haven't been able to find online, though, is much guidance as to what's appropriate to wear and when and why. The small handful of protocol documents I've been able to google tend to assume slightly more knowledge than I have ... and not show pictures as examples. Meanwhile, the array of stuff available from online sellers is vast, not all of it regulation, and assumes the buyer knows what he's after.

So ... and, again, this is mainly to satisfy my ever-present curiosity ... I would love it if some of you guys from the States and, indeed, across the world, could post pics of your various regalia with a line about what they're appropriate for. Any takers?

I'll begin (though I expect I'm teaching several grannies to suck several eggs) ...

Emulation Rite EA:

NS-101_EA_APRON_590x.png

Emulation Rite FC:

NS-102_FC_APRON_590x.jpg


Emulation Rite MM:

NS-103_MM_APRON_590x.jpg


Officer & GL aprons include different colours (deep blue and red, normally), provincial seals, and various decorations and tassels, but are all recognisably within this basic pattern.

And Royal Arch, which English freemasonry treats as a completion of the 3rd degree ... not Craft, but administered together with the Craft ...

hra_apron.png
 

Elexir

Registered User
GL of Sweden. Swedish rite.
Here to complicate things ;)

Standardized aprons/sash/collar depending on degree. You leave your old regalia once you get a new degree.
The XI or Knight and commander of the red cross are the members of the grand lodge.
No custom regalia is allowed and the lodges own the regalia so it cant be passed down.

The pictures are from Denmark where tails are requird. Here in sweden you can also choose to have a dark suit.
 

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bro.william

Premium Member
Australia's look more or less like ours. I do like having my own. We usually have "loaners" for EAs and FCs (although I did buy my own just because I was feeling enthusiastic), and then the lodge gives you your MM.

Sweden – those look cool. Yours is a 10 degree system, rather than 3, right?
 

Elexir

Registered User
Australia's look more or less like ours. I do like having my own. We usually have "loaners" for EAs and FCs (although I did buy my own just because I was feeling enthusiastic), and then the lodge gives you your MM.

Sweden – those look cool. Yours is a 10 degree system, rather than 3, right?

Yes. We had the fortune to have some highly enthusiastic brethren that decided to rework degrees to make a flowing system. It makes for an intressting journey.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Brother and Forum Member hwood did an excellent video on Masonic Aprons in PA. It can be found on his YouTube channel RoadMap to Freemasonry.

 

Keith C

Registered User
Also here is a photo that shows the plain white Lambskin aprons invested during Degree Conferral (which are retained by the Lodge, NOT given to the Brother) as well as the apron worn by Members and visitors (who are not PMs or District Officers) for Lodge meetings. These examples are our old aprons where the Lodge number on the flap is difficult to see. I do not have any photo showing our new aprons.

16798005_1201223406594299_2176521279168365915_o.jpg
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Right. This is just about getting some basic learning under my belt. I'm requesting pics and explanations of the various apron possibilities in the GLs of the brethren of this forum.

In another thread, I posted the query below about how aprons work in Texas and the US. Moving it now to its own thread.

Even before this response, I'd kind of got the impression that it's most common in US lodges for the lodge itself to have a supply of white aprons which most of the brethren use for day-to-day, garden variety meetings – except for officers and PMs, who have their own aprons of office. Bro. JC just confirmed that.

True under GLoTX, also.

What I haven't been able to find online, though, is much guidance as to what's appropriate to wear and when and why. The small handful of protocol documents I've been able to google tend to assume slightly more knowledge than I have ... and not show pictures as examples. Meanwhile, the array of stuff available from online sellers is vast, not all of it regulation, and assumes the buyer knows what he's after.

So ... and, again, this is mainly to satisfy my ever-present curiosity ... I would love it if some of you guys from the States and, indeed, across the world, could post pics of your various regalia with a line about what they're appropriate for. Any takers?
If you'll go back to your original thread, I've tried to answer your question regarding guidance with examples. Hope it helps.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Also here is a photo that shows the plain white Lambskin aprons invested during Degree Conferral (which are retained by the Lodge, NOT given to the Brother)

Under GLoTX, at the end of the MM degree conferral, the lambskin apron is presented to the newly-raised Brother to be kept for the remainder of his life & to be placed upon his casket at his funeral.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Under GLoTX, at the end of the MM degree conferral, the lambskin apron is presented to the newly-raised Brother to be kept for the remainder of his life & to be placed upon his casket at his funeral.

That seems to be the norm in most Jurisdiction, but, being Pennsylvania it is normal that it is different! Here the Lodge provides the apron for the funeral service.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Like everything else in Masonry it depends on your jurisdiction. Califas says white only except for officers and PMs. NM is okay with a bit of customization (I have a handmade lambskin with the Eye of Horus on the flap).
As to the “keep it safe till you’re buried” theory, I’ve never agreed with that. It isn’t in the lecture I was given during the presentation so I wear it when I need a plain one (very rare as I’ve been an officer practically since I was Raised).
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Right. This is just about getting some basic learning under my belt. I'm requesting pics and explanations of the various apron possibilities in the GLs of the brethren of this forum.

In another thread, I posted the query below about how aprons work in Texas and the US. Moving it now to its own thread.




Even before this response, I'd kind of got the impression that it's most common in US lodges for the lodge itself to have a supply of white aprons which most of the brethren use for day-to-day, garden variety meetings – except for officers and PMs, who have their own aprons of office. Bro. JC just confirmed that.

For all that, though, I keep seeing decorated regalia for sale, such as this, which is listed as a "Master Mason's Apron", and is closer to what I would have expected (naïvely, it appears) from my English lodge experience:

View attachment 6537

And in researching Tranquility Lodge in anticipation of an eventual petition, I've seen this plenty often:

View attachment 6542


What I haven't been able to find online, though, is much guidance as to what's appropriate to wear and when and why. The small handful of protocol documents I've been able to google tend to assume slightly more knowledge than I have ... and not show pictures as examples. Meanwhile, the array of stuff available from online sellers is vast, not all of it regulation, and assumes the buyer knows what he's after.

So ... and, again, this is mainly to satisfy my ever-present curiosity ... I would love it if some of you guys from the States and, indeed, across the world, could post pics of your various regalia with a line about what they're appropriate for. Any takers?

I'll begin (though I expect I'm teaching several grannies to suck several eggs) ...

Emulation Rite EA:

View attachment 6539
Emulation Rite FC:

View attachment 6540

Emulation Rite MM:

View attachment 6541

Officer & GL aprons include different colours (deep blue and red, normally), provincial seals, and various decorations and tassels, but are all recognisably within this basic pattern.

And Royal Arch, which English freemasonry treats as a completion of the 3rd degree ... not Craft, but administered together with the Craft ...

View attachment 6543
It would be more exact to describe those as UGLE Aprons, as there are over 80 actively worked rituals in UGLE, not counting minor variations. You can go to the Online Book of Constitutions that gives information about them as well as provincial and Grand aprons.
 

Matt L

Site Benefactor
In my jurisdiction, during the 3rd degree the brother is presented with his personal apron and is raised with it. It is not worn again until he drops the working tools of life.

Lodge officers wear aprons with the symbol of their office in the center as well as a matching jewel. Trim on these aprons vary from lodge to lodge.

Past Masters wear a Past Masters apron. Some lodges present them to their PM's after their term of office, others have some for use in the lodge.

All other Brothers wear a plain white apron, exception being Grand Lodge officers.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
As to the “keep it safe till you’re buried” theory, I’ve never agreed with that. It isn’t in the lecture I was given during the presentation so I wear it when I need a plain one (very rare as I’ve been an officer practically since I was Raised).
We are not prohibited from wearing our lambskins. I know a number of Brethren who wear them to MM degree conferrals, which I personally consider to be appropriate. Much like yourself, I've almost always been an officer so I don't often get an opportunity to wear a plain white apron, except for funerals.
 

bro.william

Premium Member
If you'll go back to your original thread, I've tried to answer your question regarding guidance with examples. Hope it helps.

That was indeed thorough and helpful. Many thanks, Bro. Bill.


this one is mine that I wear everywhere I attend blue lodge.

That looks very cool. Love the white on white. Understated elegant craftsmanship.


Sorry for the slow reply, guys; long hard weekend. So ... if the lambskins are the MM presentation & death (and possibly special occasions) version, what are the day-to-day aprons made of? Duck cloth? They're all lambskin on this side of the pond, y'see, and the differentiation is all in the decor, as described above. (Fake leather versions are also available; but in my part of the world, everyone always seems to wear the real deal.)
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
Since I have been an officer since I was raised, I have always worn an officers apron unless visiting another lodge. For the first time since I became a Past Master even, I was able to wear my PM apron to a stated meeting of our lodge. So, unless at a funeral or visiting another lodge, I haven't worn a white apron since I was raised.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Sorry for the slow reply, guys; long hard weekend. So ... if the lambskins are the MM presentation & death (and possibly special occasions) version, what are the day-to-day aprons made of? Duck cloth? They're all lambskin on this side of the pond, y'see, and the differentiation is all in the decor, as described above. (Fake leather versions are also available; but in my part of the world, everyone always seems to wear the real deal.)

I can find no official statement prescribing what they are to be made of, but I am having some issue accessing the Ahiman Rezon and Digest of Decisions on line (The only way to get to the up-to-date version here.)

Our new ones are made of a cotton/polyester blend with blue ribbon as the outline and screen printed blue lodge numbers. Our old ones were cotton. Throughout our District some are cotton, some cotton / Polyester blend, some are some sort of artificial leather (likely vinyl based.) all have ribbon in various shades of blue as the outline trim.

I have only worn the "Lodge" aprons a few times, My first 2 stated meetings after being raised, twice while visiting other Lodges not as part of an Official Visitation and a few times under my Warden's apron to facilitate traveling to another Station or Place to assume that Office for Degrees.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Another vagary here, @bro. william , is that no one (except grand officers and some PMs) brings their apron to lodge. Lodges have a box of flimsy cotton aprons, in various states of disrepair, for general use. Another reason why I travel with my own aprons...
 
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