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Aprons

phulseapple

Premium Member
Is it normal for Masons to not wear the apron they were presented with during the rituals? I can see the need for spares in the Lodge, but is there a symbolic reason for a man to keep the one he was originally presented stored away?

While on the topic, why the various designs? It would seem to me that the equality among Masons would be better highlighted by all having exactly the same apron, at least in a Blue Lodge. Cordially, Skip.

#1 Yes, there is a reason for keeping them stored....you KNOW the answer as I have seen you discuss it on YOUR site.

#2 The various designs denote the officers in the Lodge. The equality is not shown by the design of the apron though....something you, like all non-members, simply can't understand.
 

daddyrich

Registered User
I keep mine stored so the blood from Stated Meeting Sacrifices doesn't get on it. You can't just Shout those stains out.
 

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
Early aprons from the 1760 up to 1840's were hand painted by either the brother, family member or an artist that was either friends of the family or did this for a living. These aprons like the French designs were made with many different Masonic emblems on them and were arranged by the artist or brother. Some may also have RA Chapter emblems on them if he belonged. From around the 1820's printed aprons came into use, and hundreds of these could be made and sold. Some had the look to early handpainted pieces. At this time the more traditional style squared apron begun to take shape. Prior to this, apron shapes varied, most taking their looks from trade aprons of the period, more round edges and flaps. Embroided aprons came into play also around the 1800's and into today's market. Some had both embroided and hand painting on them. Some were done in ink. Around the 1840's is when some GL's begun to pass regulations as the size and shape and what could be on an apron. Embroided aprons to today came into being around the 1850's mostly. They would have the officers emblem on them. Past Masters aprons came into play as we know them today perhaps around the 1870's. Some aprons were still being painted on as late as the 1900's. This depended on mostly the regalia company that were selling such items.
It was around the Anti-Masonic era that the handpainted aprons begun to be faded out and the more traditional aprons of today were being made.
 

bjdeverell

Premium Member
well, if that's what you get from it then great. personally, I take to heart what I was told all those years ago when presented my apron on becoming an EA. personal note: felt so weird wearing it differently from the rest of the guys in the room - don't even get me started on the FC apron lol.
 

Ashlar

Registered User
I wear my PM apron because it was a gift from a widow of a very great Mason . I wear it to honor his memory , and the difference between mine and other Past Master aprons is , like my fancy MM apron , it is white on white . It is beautifully designed and is on par with the most "fancy" PM aprons . There are only two of these aprons in existence as they are handmade . I like white on white so as not to draw attention from the officers aprons .
 
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MarkR

Premium Member
I wear my PM apron because it was a gift from a widow of a very great Mason . I wear it to honor his memory , and the difference between mine and other Past Master aprons is , like my fancy MM apron , it is white on white . It is beautifully designed and is on par with the most "fancy" PM aprons . There are only two of these aprons in existence as they are handmade . I like white on white so as not to draw attention from the officers aprons .
My PM apron is also white on white; I got it from Macoy. I got several compliments on it when I wore it at the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
 

scialytic

Premium Member
What's the rule on hand-crafted or custom aprons in Texas? What about wearing aprons from appendant bodies? Or are they confined to wear in the respective body?

Grand Lodge of Scotland? That's awesome! Pray tell?
 

Ashlar

Registered User
Can not answer for Texas but a Chapter or Council apron would not be allowed in the Craft lodge in my state .

The only time they would be worn is during Grand Lodge session when all the gold collars were introduced . The Grand Line officers of the YR bodies may wear their collars and aprons during introductions , but after introductions , if the wish to sit in on the tyled session they must switch over to regular Masonic aprons .
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Grand Lodge of Scotland? That's awesome! Pray tell?
In June of 2010 I had the good fortune to make a trip to Scotland. I had already become "Facebook friends" with a Mason in Scotland who was Worshipful Master of his Lodge. The GLoS has four communications a year, and one happened to be at a time that worked for my trip, so he took me to Grand Lodge with him, then to a meeting of the Sir Robert Moray Lodge of Research (which holds its meetings in the Lodge Room of Mary's Chapel Lodge #1 in Edinburgh, which has all of its Lodge minutes all the way back to 1599) then to a very nice Masonic dinner party at a hotel in downtown Edinburgh. All in all, an extremely memorable trip. I loved Scotland, the Scottish brothers treated me exceptionally well, and I hope very much to get back some day.
 

scialytic

Premium Member
I had a business trip to Glasgow last February. I was so impressed with the people, the scenery, and the architecture. I travelled around Glasgow, Perth, and then made it to Edinburgh. Fascinating. I really need to go back (especially now that I'm a Mason) to travel through the Highlands, Isle of Sky and all that good stuff. I did get to watch a Celtic match, which was incredible. They truly follow sports differently than us. It's almost a duty, let alone ingrained in their daily lives.

I've got another possible foreign trip in 2013. I get a little choice of where I go, but I doubt it will be Scotland again (I started in Tullamore, Ireland, then Daventry, England and finally Glasgow for the last week). That was really just really good luck...maybe next time we go they'll be their own country again (they vote on it in the next couple of years). And did you see their new Parliment building? Hideous! Modernism at its worst!
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
What's the rule on hand-crafted or custom aprons in Texas? What about wearing aprons from appendant bodies? Or are they confined to wear in the respective body?

Art. 273. (312). Officers: Regalia. (in pertinent part)


<snip> The regulation apron shall be of white lambskin of the following dimensions: the apron shall be 16 inches square with a drop in the bib of 6 inches to the triangular point. It will be permissible to have embroidered upon the bib of the apron the appropriate jewel of the office and upon the body of the apron below the bib, the square and compasses circumscribing the letter “G.” The outside edge of the apron shall be bordered with blue silk velvet or braid, one inch in width, and the bib with the same material one-half inch in width. The apron may be lined on the reverse side with blue satin or other material. In addition to using the Past Master’s aprons now being worn, it shall be permissible for Past Masters to wear aprons with the same design and insignia as provided for the Worshipful Master, but the addition of the Arc (or Quadrant) under the points of the Compasses would be optional.

<snip> The insignia or regalia of other orders or organizations may not be worn.

Art. 274. (313). Members: Apron.

The regulation apron for members of the Lodge shall be of the same dimensions provided for the aprons of officers of the Lodge and shall be made of white lambskin without border or decoration; provided, it shall not be mandatory upon any Lodge to provide regulation regalia and aprons until such time as it may be able to do so, and such aprons may be made of white cloth.

In other words, other than officers & Past Masters (& GL officers), Brethren are to wear plain white aprons only.
 

scialytic

Premium Member
I guess that rules out the Texas Lodge of Research and Tranquility Lodge aprons...or are they an exception?
 

scialytic

Premium Member
I'm presuming they are the exception (I'll know soon enough--unless Bro. Bill answers first--because my MWGLoT law/statute book is in the mail).

(Brother, could you post a photo of your white-on-white Past Master's apron? I have got to see it!)

Thanks gentlemen. I know these forums take a lot of your time and you end up answering the same questions ad nauseum; but I, for one, truly am grateful.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
AFAIK, TLR & Tranquillity Lodge aprons are only supposed to be worn at meetings of their respective Lodges and during Grand Lodge, but I believe that this is a matter of protocol, not law.

Another "exception"- past DDGMs may wear their DDGM aprons on "appropriate occasions" and @ Grand Lodge. What occasions are "appropriate" is generally left up to the wearer. In my personal opinion, it is NOT appropriate for a past DDGM to wear his DDGM apron to an official visit of the sitting DDGM- I believe that particular night is to honor the sitting DDGM & for past DDGMs to wear their aprons detracts from that honor. But I've seen it done. :-(
 
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