Mark Degree Regalia

In 242, the MMMD is normally conferred in May upon all the candidates of the year. It is viewed as an ‘enjoyable, degree with humour’ and finishes the lodge before the recess. However, it quite an anomaly and therefore, many lodges view it as often irrelevant despite it being very much part of the Craft’s history. Since the 1830s, it has been viewed as an essential preliminary to the Royal Arch in Scotland and since 1860, it came under the control of both Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, but in different ways. Grand Lodge, which issues diplomas, considers it as part of the FCD (although only conferred on MM) while SGRAC considers it the fourth degree in Masonry (5th being the Excellent Master and sixth RA).

Few lodges use special regalia, but over the last 15 or so years, some have bought Mark aprons—often the English version (upper right) but more recently regalia manufacturers have produced the recently found Scottish apron which is wedged shaped (right). Some lodges have even gone to the expense of collarette jewels—shown below right are the RW Mark Master, Immediate Past and Wardens.

It might make the ceremony more valued if the RWMM wears a jewel and the candidates are given Scottish mark aprons when advanced. The standard jewel is given to the candidate (bottom left) and sometimes the Master Overseer wears the Scottish seven sided ‘plug’ jewel (centre bottom and right) but this is considered more of a RA Mark jewel. As a point of interest, 242 in 1922 advanced 74 candidates! This was the culmination of many brethren joining the Craft after the First World War.