Caps

Second only to the Masonic apron, the Scottish Rite cap is undoubtedly one of Freemasonry's most distinctive items of regalia. But, while we as Speculative Masons inherit the Masonic apron from the operative craft of the medieval stonemasons, the Scottish Rite cap comes down to us from the medieval chivalric tradition. When the Master Mason receives the Thirty-Second Degree and dons the black satin headgear of the Scottish Rite, the Masonic craftsman is elevated to an order of Masonic knighthood.

 

In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the AASR- Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite- caps are not worn in every State. While every Scottish Rite Mason has the right to wear the proper cap, tradition has created States in our Jurisdiction that encourage use of hats, and those that do not. Here in Vermont, caps are a regular part of our Rite. The color of the cap and the symbol upon it denote the rank and accomplishment of the wearer.

 

 

 

THE SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER

The Sovereign Grand Commander is the highest ranking officer of The Supreme Council and the chief executive and judicial officer of the Rite within this Supreme Council’s Jurisdiction.   He is the representative of The Supreme Council when that Body is not in session and is invested with general powers of supervision and administration everywhere within its Jurisdiction.  The cap for the Sovereign Grand Commander is purple in color and features a darker violet band embroidered with laurel vine, leaf, and berry pattern in gold. On the front is the symbol of his office, a Cross of Salem with crosslets.

 

SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL

This is the title of an Active Member of The Supreme Council. Within each State there may be two or more Active members, one of which is chosen as the head of Scottish Rite within that State. His title is "Deputy" and his powers are similar to those of a Grand Master of the Symbolic Craft and he is subject only to the Sovereign Grand Commander.  The cap of an Active Member is purple and features the symbol of his office in gold thread: a double-headed eagle with its wings uplifted, crowned, with a triangle on its breast enclosing the number "33". An Active member of the Supreme Council is expected to serve for three three year terms, or nine years.

 

INSPECTOR GENERAL HONORARY

During the Annual Session of The Supreme Council,  the Active members assembled ballot to create a small quota of 32° members nominated by each State to receive the Thirty-third Degree. Members so elected become Honorary Members of The Supreme Council for life.  The Thirty-third Degree may not be requested, purchased or demanded, but is conferred solely out of recognition for outstanding services to our Rite or our communities.  The cap for an Inspector General Honorary is white with a white band edged in gold, and having in gold a double-headed eagle similar to the Active's hat, but with the wings turned down.

 

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

This is the distinctive red hat of the brother who has been awarded the MSA award for exemplary service to the Scottish Rite. Since 1937, Councils of Deliberation have been authorized by the Supreme Council, NMJ, to annually present this award to a limited number of members who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the AASR. Together with the Jewel of the MSA, it is a decoration that can proudly be worn on any official occasion.  This is a lifetime achievement, and the holder of this award becomes a permanent member of the Council of Deliberation and is entitled to place "MSA" after his signature.

 

SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET

This is the title of a 32° member of the Scottish Rite.  His cap is black silk with a black band trimmed in gold.  In the center front is a double-headed eagle emblem with a rayed equilateral triangle above in gold.  The triangle is red, has 32° in its center, and is trimmed with gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RINGS AND BADGES

RINGS     14° In the past, as part of the ritual of the 14°, Grand Elect Mason, a ring was  presented to the candidates. This harkened back to the days when few men advanced beyond the Lodge of Perfection. Over the years, the cost of gold rings made this custom too expensive for most Valleys to continue, although these rings are still obtainable, usually simply by asking the Valley secretary. The Grand Elect ring is a plain gold band with an equilateral triangle enclosing the Hebrew letter yod, the initial letter of the tetragrammaton—the ineffable name of God. Engraved on the inside is the Latin motto, "Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit" (Whom virtue unites, death cannot separate).     33° Possibly the most recognized (and certainly misunderstood) Masonic honor is the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite. About 1.5% of our members hold this Degree. The ring is a triple band of gold  with a Delta enclosing the numerals 33.   BADGES     32° A Thirty-Second Degree Mason, Master of the Royal Secret, is identified with the jewel of the Degree: a gold Teutonic Cross with the numerals XXXII surrounded by a laurel wreath in the center and suspended from a white ribbon. The Teutonic Cross was probably adopted because the Grand Constitutions of 1786 were believed to be authored by the Prussian King, Frederick the Great, and the Teutonic Knights were the preeminent German order of knighthood. The laurel wreath is the ancient symbol of victory and triumph, and it is used throughout Scottish Rite Regalia. Here it can signify the triumph of attaining the Royal Secret.     33° The Thirty-Third Degree jewel, suspended from a white ribbon, has very distinctive details.   Jim Tresner describes it as follows: "The basis of the jewel is a Teutonic Cross. On that is a nine-pointed star, composed of three gold triangles, interlaced. The design also forms nine small triangles, and in each of these is one of the letters … 'S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A.,' the Latin word for wisdom. A sword extends from the lower part of the left side of the jewel to the upper part of the right side. Crossing that is … a 'Hand of Justice.' This forms a scepter, terminating in a carving of a hand…. On top of the cross, triangles, crossed sword, and Hand of Justice is a circular plate, and on the plate is a shield with a crowned double-headed eagle. To the right of the eagle is a balance and to the left is a Square and Compasses. Around the design are the Latin words Ordo ab Chao, Order out of Chaos, enclosed by two serpents, each biting its tail."   The Teutonic Cross continues to remind us of the German origins of the Grand Constitutions of 1786. The double-headed eagle looking to the East and West may be from the coat of arms of Germany or from a French ancestor organization of the Scottish Rite, the Emperors of the East and West. Its crown signifies that the Thirty-third Degree is the administrative Degree of the Rite, and this symbolism of proper administration is continued with the sword of strength, the hand of justice, and the scales in balance. The three three-sided figures remind us of 33, the number of this Degree, while Sapientia indicates the symbolic achievement required for this recognition. The snakes biting their tails are ancient symbols of eternity and completion, and can allude to the scriptural admonition, "Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

 

Portions from:

The Distinctive Regalia of the Scottish Rite

by Pete Normand, 33°