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What's the difference between...

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
croatia_knights_templar3.jpg


and this

yorkrite.jpg
 
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tom268

Registered User
Well, the first one isn't masonic, but it looks more like the masonic templar degrees I know here in Europe. These old US Navy uniforms are a US-only tradition, as far as I know (and I miss the connection with the knight templars anyway).
 

Cripps

Registered User
Lol... I wouldn't know... Have not reach those degrees yet. So it's kind of ruins the surprise if I find out too soon
 

tom268

Registered User
No, there are dozends, maybe hundreds of templar groups and orders in the world that have connections to the one or other church, or are ecumenic or even secular in nature. Some are esoteric, others strictly charitable - not to mention the hundreds of Reinactors. The masons do not inherit the templar tradition.

Like this one http://www.osmth.org/
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
Very true, there is no historic proof that Knights Templar's (masonic) have any connection to the ancient Knights Templar
 

tomasball

Premium Member
In fact, I think the difference between the two pictures is that we don't seriously claim to be descended from the Templars. I'm not sure who the upper group is, but it's been my impression that the majority of the non-masonic Templar groups do their best to convince themselves that they are the lineal descendents of the Templars.

---------- Post added at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:09 PM ----------

One of the silliest episodes in modern Templar "history" is the "discovery" of the so-called Charter of Larmenius in the drawer of a second-hand writing desk, which apparently magically confers the Grand Mastership of the Templars on whoever finds it. Since 1804, the world has never lacked at least one person claiming to be the Grand Master of the Templars based on the Charter of Larmenius. Look it up...it's a good story.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
...the majority of the non-masonic Templar groups do their best to convince themselves that they are the lineal descendents of the Templars.
I could tell you stories...
Let's just say that there are at least some Masonic Templars who harbor such fantasies as well.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
"There's a woman in the top photo "

Of course! I can think of nothing about the historical Templars that would preclude the inclusion of women! ;)

I have yet to run across one of these "we're the Real Templars" groups whose members would consider taking the vows of poverty, chastity, piety and obedience.

Actually, there really is a modern survivor of the Templars. It is a Papal Honorary Knighthood called the Order of Christ. It's reserved for Catholic heads of state who have done special service to the Holy See. I don't think there is currently a living member, but the Pope still reserves the power to make one.
 

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
The top photograph is somewhat, what Knight Templar in Europe wears, the White Mantle, which here in the US we do not wear. Some commanderies here in the US, are having their candidates wear the White Mantles during the orders. The top photo seems to be maybe a group of Knights Malta, the banner is almost correct, and could be from Scotland. We use a outfit that came from around the civil war time era, with a few throw in's from pre civil war military outfits. Today most use the CPO coats, but maintain the use of the Chapeaus. There is no real connection to the Knight Templars of old to the Knight Templars of today in the Masonic family. Here in the US there is also another uniform that is not used anymore, called the Knight Malta uniform, similar to the KT uniform, it is only used during the Order of Malta, and uses a Mantle, without the jacket, sword and fatique cap. This uniform is outdated and outlawed by most GCommanderies and I think today by the GEncampment as well.
 
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