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How to wear the masonic apron?

How should we wear the apron?

  • On-top of the coat/jacket

    Votes: 148 85.1%
  • Underneth the coat/jacket

    Votes: 12 6.9%
  • It does not matter!

    Votes: 14 8.0%

  • Total voters
    174

RAY

Registered User
When in Texas do as Texans do and when in Germany do as you wish. The coat worn over the apron is an insult to the craft.
 

RAY

Registered User
Actually the Constitution,resolutions and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas are the rule and guide for us and since we all took the same obligations my answer would be a big yes.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
RAY said:
Actually the Constitution,resolutions and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas are the rule and guide for us and since we all took the same obligations my answer would be a big yes.

Will you show me the resolution or edict that dictates that we must wear the apron over the coat?

Also, what is your solution to the tailcoat question?
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Bump, just out of curiosity. Is there an edict or law dictating the wearing of the apron over the coat? Should Texas Masons just not wear tailcoats, or should they be constantly fiddling with their aprons to ensure the coat is always​ covered by the apron?
 

BryanMaloney

Premium Member
When I have worn entirely non-Masonic aprons to do carpentry or stonework, I wore it outside everything else--could that be the reason the practice for the Masoninc apron is to wear it outside the coat?
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
When I have worn entirely non-Masonic aprons to do carpentry or stonework, I wore it outside everything else--could that be the reason the practice for the Masoninc apron is to wear it outside the coat?
And herein lies the problem: It's not a universal Masonic practice. Similar to apron designs and dimensions, the rule of coat over or under the apron varies region to region. I also have a picture of my Lodge's founding officers in 1942. Several brothers wore their single breasted coat over the apron (unbuttoned), while those in double breasted suits wore the apron over. One of the older brothers said that the rule might have changed in the 40's or 50's, but I would need to see a master copy of the Grand Lodge Law from each year to verify.

But more often than not, I hear "that's how we do it in Texas," as if that's a good enough reason, disregarding the fact that we owe our masonic pedigree to Louisiana, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania, each of which practice far different esoteric work and manners than we do here.

And if the law really did change, then my answer to "that's how we do it in Texas," will be "today, but not always."
 

Timothy Fleischer

Registered User
I think the tradition of wearing it on the outside is right. But I think the education on that matter should be educational - and if we expect such tings to the point of giving us the vapors, it should be a state wide educational point.

The Additional Lodge Light makes brief reference to it in Chapter Five on Traditions and Laws.

Masonry and the Mason has much more about it:
However, I should state that I do not think this booklet is given to Master Masons anymore, replaced by the blue booklets.
I got both, so I feel lucky. Anyway....
Here is a cut-and-paste of the text from my old copy of the booklet:


At this point we believe it is appropriate to briefly discuss the

Masonic apron and the Masonic emblem. While no attempt is made
to cover the subject in its entirety, we do feel that the new Master
Mason might well have some questions on these subjects.

THE MASONIC APRON

Many Texas Masonic Lodges present a white lambskin
apron to each newly raised Master Mason. Upon presentation
of the apron, a Master Mason is told that it is an
emblem of innocence, and the Badge of a Mason; that it is
his, to be worn upon all proper occasions throughout an
honorable life.
Proper occasions for wearing the Masonic apron would
include attending your Lodge while the Lodge is at labor in either of
the three degrees, or during a Stated Communication. The apron
could be worn during public meetings such as open installation of
Lodge officers, family night, father and son nights, etc., and when a
Lodge assembles to conduct Masonic burial services for a deceased
Brother. Also, the apron is worn at other public meetings, such as
Grand Lodge dedication of buildings, and the leveling of cornerstones.
It should be pointed out that rarely does a Master Mason wear
the original lambskin apron. As a rule, each Lodge furnishes white
cloth aprons to be worn by members and visitors. Cloth aprons are
more easily cleaned and are less expensive to furnish, but cloth aprons
should and must be kept clean and attractive because, Masonically
speaking, they represent the purity and innocence of the lamb, and
remind us of "purity of heart and uprightness of conduct."
The Masonic apron, when properly worn, shall be completely
visible at all times. While wearing a coat as part of your dress,
whether in public meetings or within the tiled recesses of your Lodge,
the Masonic apron is correctly worn outside the coat.
The Masonic apron is a natural curiosity to the non-Mason. It
is often referred to by such descriptive terms as "thatfunny little
apron" or other such terms by those who through ignorance fail to
completely comprehend its true attachment to the Mason. The apron
has always been associated with work. Except a man be working, he
would have no need for an apron. When the Mason puts on his apron,
he is signifying to the world his willingness to work at his accepted
responsibility. Further, he is signifying the dedication of himself to a
life of purity before God and man; because the material of the Masonic
apron is lambskin it is also associated with innocence.

13

 

Michael Hatley

Premium Member
Up high to prevent soiling our clothes!!

hehehe.jpg


:thumbup:
 
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