No "Freemason" tartan?

[AJBryant]

I have noticed that more and more there are specialty tartans for different groups -- even whole faiths -- but I have yet to find anything like an official (or even unofficial) tartan for Masons. Given the long history of the Scottish Rite, I find this somewhat surprising. Unless, of course, I have totally missed it.

*IS* there a Freemason tartan? Scottish Rite or anything?

[Chas]

Freemasons' Universal

STA ref: 6245
STWR ref: none
Designer: Gilmour, Anne Carroll
Tartan date: 01/12/2003
Registration date: This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category: Corporate

Restrictions:

Registration notes: This was commissioned by the Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons of Utah for the use of all Masons worldwide. Designed by Anne Carroll Gilmour of Park City, Utah the colours relate to the various 'Masonic organisations and appendant bodies.' Woven by the Strathmore Woollen Company of Forfar



Regards

Chas

[Skiballa]

There is a "Universal Freemason Tartan", with the idea that it's available to any Mason who wishes to wear it. However, The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is unlikely to adopt it, the Grand Master and his piper wear Royal Stewart when the occasion calls for it, and my brother masons wear their choice of tartan.

Edit: I see I was too slow, bottom line is this, if you would like your lodge to adopt it, bring it before your brother masons. Of course, you can always wear it for yourself, if you like it.

[Peter Crowe]

I am not sure if there is. Maybe Grand Lodge of Scotland have adopted a tartan, I believe some individual SC craft lodges have tartans on their regalia though. Although I am a native born Scot, I only became a Mason in the US (GLMA), and am not a member of the AASR. Maybe some of the other Brethren on XMTS can give you a more definitive answer.

[Chas]

Manitoba Masonic

Reference: 10615


Designer: Grand Lodge of Manitoba Freemasons
Tartan date: 11/12/2011
Registration date: 11 May 2012
Category: Corporate

Restrictions: Yes. Members of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, freemasons or concurrent bodies may wear and use this tartan. If you do not fall into these categories contact Lochcarron of Scotland Canada to see if you will be granted permission to wear it.
This tartan can not be woven by anyone without permission from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba Freemasons. If you are interested in using this tartan contact Lochcarron of Scotland - Canada for details (Tel: 00-1-877-828-3232).



Registration notes: This tartan was created by the Grand Lodge of Manitoba Freemasons for use by members. The crimson red reflects the Red Ensign of Canada, fire (the symbol of regeneration) and, for Manitobans, red represents the first permanent European settlers, the Red River settlers, who were the founding members of many of the provinces’ Métis (aboriginal) families . Crimson red is also the colour of the Grand lodge stewards and of Royal Arch and is used in the Grand Lodge of Canada tartan (STR ref #4892). Blue represents perfection and truth, the endless skies of the prairies, and Manitoba’s abundant resources of fresh water and connection to the northern ocean. For Freemasons, blue recalls the Blue Lodge and the Blue Vault of Heaven. Red and blue intersect to create purple – representing loyalty to the British monarchy, the union of the Freemasons and their concordant bodies including Scottish Rite, York rite and Job’s daughters, and the union of the original peoples and the immigrants from many countries who are now settled in Manitoba. Purple is also found in the Freemason’s Universal tartan (STR ref #1279). White represents purity and the three white stripes the virtues of truth, hope and innocence. The white stripes are also important to Freemasons, recalling the colour of the lambskin apron and the three degrees. To Manitobans white represents the pure snows of winter. Green is the colour of Acacia and other evergreen trees representing immortality, as well as the rich agricultural and natural resources of Manitoba. It also represents the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Yellow is the symbol of light, the great lights of a Masonic lodge and Manitoban grain and farm produce.





Registrant details: Mrs Margaret Struth-Gaff, 570 Bryne Drive, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, L4N 9P6
sales@burnetts-struth.com



Regards

Chas

[Chas]

French Freemasons' Pride

Reference: 10557


Designer: Duclos, Richard
Tartan date: 15/10/2011
Registration date: 6 February 2012
Category: Fashion

Restrictions:

Registration notes: Created for all French freemasons who wish to honour Scotland and Celtic culture.



Woven Sample: A woven sample of this tartan has been received by the Scottish Register of Tartans for permanent preservation in the National Records of Scotland.

Registrant details: Mr Richard Duclos, 12 Rue Du Maine, Paris, Idf, France, 75014
richard.duclos@wanadoo.fr



Regards

Chas

[Skiballa]

Wow, Canadians come up with some nice tartans.

[Chas]

Wow, Canadians come up with some nice tartans.

It is probably those long cold winter nights that turn a man's thoughts toward 16oz wool.

Regards

Chas

[macwilkin]

Grand Lodge of Scotland Tartan Information:

http://www.grandlodgescotland.com/in...417&Itemid=115

http://www.grandlodgescotland.com/in...=266&Itemid=29

Note the last two paragraphs of the "Why No Masonic Tartan?" article -- many Scottish Constitution Lodges the world over have adopted tartans as "their" tartans for various reasons. This would also include military or traveling lodges like Lodge Queen's Edinburgh Rifles (The Royal Scots) No. 1253, which was affiliated with a territorial battalion of the Royal Scots Regiment (Stewart Hunting).

And a note about the AASR:

The use of the word "Scottish" has led many Masons to believe that the Rite originated in Scotland. There was also a false belief which persisted for many years, that a man had to go to Scotland to receive the 33°. Neither of these statements is true.

Actually, the first reference to the Rite appears in old French records where the word "Ecossais," meaning Scottish, is found. During the latter part of the 17th Century, when the British Isles were torn by strife, many Scots fled to France and resumed their Masonic interests is that country. It is believed that this influence contributed to the use of the word "Scottish."

In 1732, the first "Ecossais" or Scottish Lodge, was organized in Bordeaux, one of the oldest and most influential Masonic centers in France. The membership included Scottish and English Masons. The years 1738-40 saw the formation of the first "Hauts Grades" or advanced degrees. In 1761, certain Masonic authorities in France granted a patent to Stephen Morin of Bordeaux to carry the advanced degrees across the sea to America. In 1763, Morin established these degrees in the French possessions in the West Indies. What he established consisted of a system of 25 so-called higher degrees which flourished in France, and which were known as the "Rite of Perfection."

From: http://www.aasrcleveland.org/aasr/wisr.htm

There is a body in the US AASR (Northern & Southern Jurisdictions) called the Knights of St. Andrew; many local chapters have also adopted tartans and Highland regalia. The Royal Order of Scotland, an appendant body, is Scottish in origin...but that's another story. <grin>

[AJBryant]

It is probably those long cold winter nights that turn a man's thoughts toward 16oz wool.

LOL!
Brilliant.

Thanks, guys. How the heck did I miss all those? Sigh.

I can deal with the Freemason's Universal, but... dang. I hate blue and purple. (That's also my frustration with the X-Marks the Scot tartan -- which I want to use, but can't bring myself to like.)