The Colours of the Royal Arch The regalia and furnishing of the Royal Arch degree are possibly one of the most colourful masonic degrees. But where do the colours come from? Everything in masonry has a reason and the colours are not random.
colour of this robe was to be blue. This shows why the colours for the robes of our Principals are so important and it also shows just how old some of our practices date from. So, when you see or wear those robes remember they represent one of the most Holy items of the Israelites.
For this we need to travel back some 3500 years to the time of Moses. The Book of Exodus tells the story of the time the Lord spoke to Moses and told him how the Jews were to live. He also taught them how to pray. He gave instruction in how a moving Temple to his glory was to be built and thus the tabernacle was formed. The Lord gave Moses instruction in the colours to be used in the fabric of the Tabernacle. Prior to the degree, Scottish brethren will become Excellent Master and pass a serie of colThese colours were Red, Purple and Blue, or ourful veils representing sections within the Blue, Purple and Scarlet depending on which tabernacle. The passage through the veils, is version of the Bible you read. These colours therefore a symbol of the trials and difficulwere said to represent the elements. Red for ties that are encountered and must be overfire, Purple for the sea as the blood of shell- come in the search for truth. Individually, fish dyes it and Blue for the sky. The Lord each Veil symbolically represents an aspect of chose Bezaliel and Aholiab, other names in Freemasonry. Both facets are interthe ritual, to prepare and sew the cloth for connected, and distinguish all Masons enthe tabernacle. The Lord also gave instruction gaged in the divine search. The Veils are: on what the High Priest should wear, and the
BLUE - the symbol of universal friendship and benevolence
PURPLE - the symbol of union; the intimate connection of Ancient Craft Masonry and the Royal Arch
SCARLET - the symbol of fervency and zeal
WHITE - the symbol of purity
Cross Keys March 2021
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