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One of the most enduring lessons taught in Freemasonry is the elocution on the lambskin apron where it says and the lion quotes “it is an emblem of innocence and the peculiar badge of a mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece, or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, etc., etc.” But what does this phrase really mean?
Golden Fleece, as most literary buffs will readily say, is easily identified with Greek mythology, specifically with Jason and the Argonauts. The Roman Eagle, on the other hand, can be rewound to the glorious days of the Roman Empire where its centurions proudly emblazon their soldier’s armors with the eagle, the symbol of power. Which but confirm their roots to antiquity as these emblems were already in use even before the time of Jesus Christ..
But what about the Star and Garter? How did these originate? On this question, here is what Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh on their book “The Temple and the Lodge” on page 92 had to say which is being copied verbatim:
“Within a quarter of a century of the Temple’s (meaning, the Knights Templar:) , a spate of neo-Templar orders began to appear- and would continue to do so for centuries afterwards. Thus, for example, in 1348 Edward III of England created the Order of the Garter, consisting of twenty six knights divided into two groups of thirteen each. The Garter, of course continue to the present day, and is the world’s premier order of chivalry. In France in 1352, Jean II created an almost identical institution, the Order of the Star. It was rather more short-lived than the Garter, however, its entire membership being annihilated in 1356 at the Battle of Pointers. In 1430, Philip, Duke of Burgundy, created the Order of the Golden Fleece (but this has no relation to the Golden Fleece of Jason and his Argonauts that was explained earlier- GVG).
So there you are! Next time you hear the lecturer delivers the lambskin apron lecture, you know the definitive relevance of this peculiar Masonic badge. And thanks to the authors of “The Temple and the Lodge!”
.
One of the most enduring lessons taught in Freemasonry is the elocution on the lambskin apron where it says and the lion quotes “it is an emblem of innocence and the peculiar badge of a mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece, or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, etc., etc.” But what does this phrase really mean?
Golden Fleece, as most literary buffs will readily say, is easily identified with Greek mythology, specifically with Jason and the Argonauts. The Roman Eagle, on the other hand, can be rewound to the glorious days of the Roman Empire where its centurions proudly emblazon their soldier’s armors with the eagle, the symbol of power. Which but confirm their roots to antiquity as these emblems were already in use even before the time of Jesus Christ..
But what about the Star and Garter? How did these originate? On this question, here is what Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh on their book “The Temple and the Lodge” on page 92 had to say which is being copied verbatim:
“Within a quarter of a century of the Temple’s (meaning, the Knights Templar:) , a spate of neo-Templar orders began to appear- and would continue to do so for centuries afterwards. Thus, for example, in 1348 Edward III of England created the Order of the Garter, consisting of twenty six knights divided into two groups of thirteen each. The Garter, of course continue to the present day, and is the world’s premier order of chivalry. In France in 1352, Jean II created an almost identical institution, the Order of the Star. It was rather more short-lived than the Garter, however, its entire membership being annihilated in 1356 at the Battle of Pointers. In 1430, Philip, Duke of Burgundy, created the Order of the Golden Fleece (but this has no relation to the Golden Fleece of Jason and his Argonauts that was explained earlier- GVG).
So there you are! Next time you hear the lecturer delivers the lambskin apron lecture, you know the definitive relevance of this peculiar Masonic badge. And thanks to the authors of “The Temple and the Lodge!”
.
Comments
Regards tabi.
Bro Ed
Va Beach, VA
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Bro. Ed:
I did not know you are presently out of the country.
Are you there for good?!
Glad you liked that abridged article. I was also about to add that Jesus Christ was a priest of the Order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-6) but decided against it as it might stir a hornets’nest.
Regards to you and to whomsoever is with you now there in the land of the brave and the home of the free!
Bro. Jun