Colors often mean more than just aesthetics. They can show a person's mood, provide an omen in a story, or help decipher unusual dreams. However, classic colors can have different meanings and explanations depending on the context.
Symbolism is a key element of Freemasonry. Whether in clothing or tapestries, the Masonic colors used by this society have a deeper meaning than appearance.
What are the Masonic colors?
"Masonic colors" refer to the colors commonly used by Freemasons.Britannica describes Freemasonryas the largest secret society in the world. It is more common in countries that were once part of the British Empire, such as B. the British Isles.
It is unclear when Freemasonry emerged, but the national organization is believed to have begun around 1717 in England. However, it is likely that smaller Masonic societies have been around much longer. To be a Freemason, members must be adult men who believe in a superior being, which is why color symbolism in Freemasonry is often associated with religion.
Freemasons impart knowledge and practices to society, and many of their teachings revolve around symbolism and secret meanings. Therefore, Masonic colors serve more to tell stories than to create styles. They usually have a deeper explanation than meets the eye.
some colorslike blue and whitethey are commonly used in Freemasonry clothing and accessories. If you look at the meanings, there's a good reason for that too. While other colors like purple, yellow, and red are used more sparingly, this is due to the symbolism behind these shades.
Secret Meanings and Symbolism of Masonic Colors
Color meanings vary depending on context, but Masonic colors share a fairly consistent meaning among Freemasons. Here are seven common Masonic colors and what the symbolism is behind them.
1. Branco
White is the symbol of innocence, purity and light. It is associated with pure objects such as snow, blank canvases and wedding dresses. It is also considered a symbol of cleanliness as it can show any hint of impurity as bright as day.
Masonic kings often use white to represent these meanings of wholeness. White is the perfect balance of all colors, but it doesn't stand out when mixed with any other color.
White has also been associated with religious symbols and the color of the gods. Also in the Bible, Jesus is often depicted as wearing the lightest of white garments. It can also be called the color of resurrection and spirits. It was once even used as a mourning color.
2. Negro
Like white, black is another essential color. It has been used in all civilizations since the Middle Ages. It was originally used as a symbol of death and darkness, which is the opposite of the usual meanings of white. Knights often wore black to represent this dark and terrifying symbolism.
Black was not introduced as the color of loss and mourning until the mid-14th century. From then on, it gradually replaced white as the proper attire for mourners. Even so, it was still a color associated with death.
3. azul
The color blue is often associated with the sky. It represents themes of immortality and eternity, which is why ghosts, ghouls and similar entities are often depicted in blue.
Blue can also represent calm, so relaxing elements like the sky and water are blue. When someone has a blue chakra, it is believed to be calm and divine. Other items that may be blue like flowers, eyes,and feathers, can also radiate calming feelings.
In some cases, the shade of blue can affect the meaning of the color. The lighter shades of blue are often associated with kindness. TimeRoyal blue has a similar meaning., can also mean prestige. In some cases, it could be a religious color, as priests and heads of religious groups often wore blue.
Blue is an important color in Freemasonry because Freemasons begin their journey in a symbolic lodge known as the "Blue Lodge". The Blue Lodge is where people get theirs.first three degrees of Freemason🇧🇷 In this scenario, blue means special, sacred, wisdom or perfection. Therefore, Freemasons used to keep this color very high.
4. Lila
Shades of purple, including indigo and violet, are often thought of as representing wealth and royalty. That's because these colors are rarer and only seen in some flowers, feathers and stones. Indigo is said to be associated with spiritual visions and psychic abilities, more common in happier people like royalty.
While purple is a symbol of power for many, it is also a symbol of religion. The Bible often refers to the color as a mixture of red and blue. In a religious context, shades of purple are most commonly seen in altar cloths and mantles. It also has some meanings related to an association.
5. Gelb
Yellow is less common in Freemasonry, but still has great significance. In Freemasonry, yellow and gold are used to represent the sun, while silver is associated with the moon. As yellow is commonly associated with sunlight, yellow means wisdom.
However, yellow and gold can also have conflicting meanings. In some cases, yellow represents the best and worst of a person at the same time. This is because positive words like bronze and honey are related to yellows, while less favorable words like sulfur and cowardice are too.
Yellow can also mean jealousy, incontinence and betrayal. While similar to yellow, gold is generally only seen as having a positive meaning due to its association with wealth.
6. Rot
Red is the color of blood, which is why Freemasons often use it as a symbol of sacrifice and struggle. It is often associated with wars, military and heroes, and in some cases, fire.
In Freemasonry, this color is a clear sign of devotion, faith and bravery. In some cases, it can also symbolize love and generosity.
On a darker note, red can be associated with hell, demons and anger as it is the color of fire. It is often referred to as the opposite of blue's celestial and calming symbols.
7. verde
In nature, green is the color that stretches for miles. Grass, trees, moss and many other plants are green and associate color with life in general. Green often means peace, happiness, resurrection and immortality.
Green is present in areas rich in life, food and other valuable resources. However, when nature lacks the color green, areas tend to look desolate and depressing. Green is an essential symbol of love and growth, as life cannot exist without an excess of green.
Masonic colors focus specifically on the periwinkle, which is a symbol of rebirth and moral living. The ancient Egyptians even claimed that the blood of deities was dark green to show that the color represented life, immortality, divinity and the soul. While it's not always talked about as much as other colors, green is an essential hue for life.
Meanings and Symbolism of the Masonic Color Standard
In some scenarios, multiple colors together can have different meanings than those colors alone. Freemasons often use patterns and mixtures of colors to represent different meanings. Here are some examples.
In black and white
Black and white are two colors that complement each other perfectly. When black and white are seen together in a drawing, they represent adual principleit can also mean order.
Freemasons often used black and white in a mosaic pattern to represent this symbolism. Solomon's Temple is an example of a structure with this pattern. Contrasting tiles can also symbolize the contrast between good and evil in human life.
blue and gold
Blue and gold colors are sometimes seen together. It is becauseThe sky is blue, and the sun's rays shining in the sky have a golden hue. So when these colors are seen together in a pattern, they represent the sky, sun and stars.
Blue and gold also have meaning in relation to gods and deities. This is why the colors are sometimes seen together in Masonic rings, aprons and other accessories.
Red, blue, purple and white
The Freemasonry Chapter, the first part of the Masonic degree system, focuses on the colors red, blue, purple and white combined. Veils in temples used to be these colors to represent the four elemental zones: water, fire, air and earth. Red represents the element of fire, blue for air, white for earth and purple for water.
Experimenting with lights of these colors, the Egyptians discovered that red and green when mixed together form black. Therefore, red, black and green patterns are also common and found on things associated with a supreme being.
gold, silver and copper
That isunique colorsthey looked similar to blue and gold. They represented the sun, moon and planet Venus, all sacred. The planet Mercury was sometimes represented in the colors of onyx stones or acacia wood.
The meaning of colors is important
Color meanings are important regardless of context. Freemasonry is just one example of a situation where colors play a deeper role than meets the eye. The power of color symbolism plays a prominent role in our daily lives, including feelings, choices and interpretations.
So this secret society is not the only one that holds certain colors in high regard. Color can affect your life more than you think.
FAQs
What does the number 7 represent in Masonic? ›
Seven is a sacred number in Masonic symbolism. In the Rituals of the last century, it was said that a Lodge required seven to make it perfect, but the only explanation to be found of the sacredness is the seven liberal arts and sciences, which according to the old “Legend of the Craft” were the foundation of Masonry.
What do the Masonic colors represent? ›Red, Blue, Purple, and White
Veils in temples often had these colors to represent the four elemental zones: Water, Fire, Air, and Earth. Red represents the element of Fire, blue is Air, white is Earth, and purple is Water.
Yellow and gold, as well as silver, is said to have been used in Freemasonry since gold is the symbol of the sun while silver is that of the moon.
What is the Master Mason symbol? ›The most well-known Freemason symbol, “The Square and Compasses,” depicts a builder's square joined by a compass.
What does the 7 represent? ›This number is the number of perfection. This is much like the seven wonders of the world, the seven days of the week, and more. The number seven also suggests completeness. It is one of the secret numbers we see that is a symbol of perfection and symbol of eternal life.
What does the seven represent? ›Seven was symbolic in ancient near eastern and Israelite culture and literature. It communicated a sense of “fullness” or “completeness” (שבע “seven” is spelled with the same consonants as the word שבע “complete/full”). This makes sense of the pervasive appearance of “seven” patterns in the Bible.
What does a black Masonic ring mean? ›What a black Masonic ring means is largely a matter of personal interpretation. Wearing a Masonic ring generally signifies that a person is a member of a Masonic order. Some people believe that the black onyx used in most black rings represents discipline and strength.
What is a rainbow Mason? ›The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is a Masonic youth service organization that teaches leadership training through community service. Young women learn about the value of charity and service through their work and involvement with their annual local and Grand (state or country) service projects.
What finger does a Mason wear his ring? ›The pinky finger is mostly acceptable for wearing your ring and it becomes even more acceptable the further up in the tradition you advance. The symbol of the compass should be worn facing towards you only if you are a newer member because it shows you are taking the pledge to the tradition seriously.
What color does 7 represent? ›Number 7 is governed by the Planet Neptune and should use the Smokey-brown or Grey-green colour for the luck.
What is the universal number 7? ›
The 7 is the philosopher and the seeker. When we are in a 7 Year cycle, this is a time of spiritual awakenings, knowledge gathering, solitude, and inward focus. Are you ready for self-reflection and to dive deep into the inner workings of your spiritual self? Because that is exactly what 2023 is inviting us to do.
What did the number 7 symbolize in the ancient world? ›After the number three, seven is perhaps the number that is filled the most religious significance around the world. There are seven deadly sins, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, seven virtues, seven arts and sciences (comprising the quadrivium and trivium), and seven ages of man.
What is the power of seven? ›In arithmetic and algebra the seventh power of a number n is the result of multiplying seven instances of n together. So: n7 = n × n × n × n × n × n × n.
Why is 7 written with a line? ›Answer: Arabic numerals were written with straight lines and no curves. Each number had to represent the amount of angles contained in the number. If you put a slash across the top and the bottom of a 7 it has seven angles.
Why do Masons wear aprons? ›Masons understand the real value of the apron when they acknowledge it as a badge signifying the honor behind doing constructive work. Similarly, the apron of the worker has come to represent service as well. The apron of the laborer reminds its fraternal wearer to labor for the good of others, especially his Brethren.
When can a Mason wear a ring? ›While some masons choose to wear rings before they earn their 3rd degrees, we recommend that you wait until AFTER you have been raised to master mason. Wearing a mason ring is a great way to express your pride in belonging to such a heralded tradition.
What are the beliefs of a Mason? ›Regular Freemasonry insists that a volume of scripture be open in a working lodge, that every member profess belief in a Supreme Being, that no women be admitted, and that the discussion of religion and politics not take place within the lodge.
What are the Mason numbers? ›In Freemasonry, five is a sacred number, inferior only in importance to three and seven. It is especially significant in the Fellow Craft's Degree, where five are required to hold a Lodge, and where, in the winding stairs, the five steps are referred to the orders of architecture and the human senses.
Why do you cross a seven? ›The slashed 7, explains Langer, originated in Europe as a way to differentiate between the written numbers seven and one -- which includes an extra stroke at the top that can make it resemble a steeply pointed 7. "The slash says, 'Hey, I'm really a 7,"' Langer said.
What finger does a mason wear his ring? ›The pinky finger is mostly acceptable for wearing your ring and it becomes even more acceptable the further up in the tradition you advance. The symbol of the compass should be worn facing towards you only if you are a newer member because it shows you are taking the pledge to the tradition seriously.
What does G mean to Masons? ›
G. – Grand; sometimes read as Great. It also alludes to God, geometry or the Great Architect of the Universe. G.A.O.T.U. – Grand Architect of the Universe.
What is the highest level Mason? ›Although in the craft of Freemasonry there is no degree considered higher than that of a Master Mason, the degrees of 32° Freemasonry enrich and expand the teachings of the Symbolic Lodge. As a 32° Freemason you will, indeed, find an untold wealth of knowledge. You will learn more about Masonry.
What are the two types of Masons? ›A masonic lodge confers the three masonic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft (or Fellow Craft), and Master Mason. Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, there are additional degrees that are offered only to those who are Master Masons.
How do you pick a Mason? ›You should know what kind of materials you want to use. Ask prospective candidates how long they have been in business. Ask a local contractor to recommend a reputable mason. Get an idea of what your project will cost by talking to other homeowners who have similar masonry details.
What is the line through a 7 called? ›The small horizontal line in the middle of the number seven is called a "stroke". It is used to distinguish the number seven from the number one when the numbers are written in certain fonts or styles.
What is a zero with a slash through it? ›The slashed zero glyph is often used to distinguish the digit "zero" ("0") from the Latin script letter "O" anywhere that the distinction needs emphasis, particularly in encoding systems, scientific and engineering applications, computer programming (such as software development), and telecommunications.
What is Boaz Masonic? ›According to the Bible, Boaz (Hebrew: בֹּעַז Bōʿaz) and Jachin ( יָכִין Yāḵīn) were two copper, brass or bronze pillars which stood on the porch of Solomon's Temple, the first Temple in Jerusalem. They are used as symbols in Freemasonry and sometimes in religious architecture.
What does the G inside a triangle mean? ›The most common is that the "G" stands for God.
What is the leader of the Masons called? ›A Grand Master is a title of honour as well as an office in Freemasonry, given to a freemason elected to oversee a Masonic jurisdiction, derived from the office of Grand Masters in chivalric orders. He presides over a Grand Lodge and has certain rights in the constituent Lodges that form his jurisdiction.