Twelfth Degree, Master Architect

The Tools Of The Trade

Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross

The Twelfth Degree (right) begins the climb of the Scottish Rite Mason into the reaches of philosophy, as opposed to the emphasis on morality typical of the earlier Scottish Rite Degrees. In order to accomplish this, Pike takes us straight back to Blue Lodge symbolism with the traditional colors of blue, white, and gold. The blue with which the apron is lined and bordered, the blue of the cordon, and the gold of the apron's fringe are colors whose Blue Lodge symbolism is too well-known to discuss here.

The flap of the apron shows a protractor. The apron itself shows a plain scale, a sector (two sets of scales, hinged at one end and used for computations), and the compasses arranged to form a triangle. The choice of these three to form a triangle is interesting, remembering that the triangle is a symbol of Deity. The scale is an instrument of measurement, the sector of computation, and the compasses of spirituality and creation. They might, therefore, be considered symbols of the justice (measurement), wisdom (computation) and creativeness (spirit) of God.

The jewel is seven-sided, with a five-pointed star, enclosed in a semi-circle, in each vertex. The center shows an equilateral triangle formed by the arcs of circles. Thus, with the triangle, the shape of the stars and the shape of the jewel, we have the numbers 3, 5, and 7. The reverse of the jewel (pictured on the sheet above the apron on the facing page) shows the five orders of architecture, the three types of compasses, a plain scale, a parallel, a ruler, a sector, and a slide rule. It is interesting to note that all the instruments shown are instruments of calculation and creation. The instruments of testing which play so large a part in the Blue Lodge Degrees—the plumb, square, and level—are absent. This is because we are now moving away from the operative and fully into the speculative or philosophical aspects of Freemasonry. The instruments are emblems, of course, of the ethical duties of man and the duties he owes to himself—to study, to learn, to develop, and especially to think. Only then can a Freemason be a Master Architect.

Scottish Rite Regalia Photos And Prints

Illustrations of the Scottish Rite regalia paintings by Brother Robert H. White, 32°, (12th Degree, Master Architect painting
pictured above) are available in two formats:

(1) individual 8" x 12" or 11" x 14" color photographs and
(2) grouped photos in a color 22" x 33" poster.

To order individual photographs, please contact Brother Bruce A. Dehlin, K.D. Enterprises, 10114 Farmington Drive, Fairfax,
VA 22030–2049. Tel. (703) 591-5318; Fax: (703) 591-6026; E-mail: dehlinb@cais.net

To order color posters picturing all the regalia paintings, Fourth through Thirty-third Degrees, including the K.C.C.H. and
Grand Cross, send a check (domestic only) for $20.00 payable to The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., USA to:
Grand Executive Director's Office
1733 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009–3103

 

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