Masonic clothing
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As Masonic clothing is called in a Masonic Lodge of Freemasons of Lodges working worn clothing . Today this consists of a dark suit or tuxedo , the jewelry badge of the respective lodge: the so-called " bijou ", a symbolic mason's apron , white gloves and the so-called "high hat", a cylinder, which is still common in many lodges .
The individual components
The individual components point to certain moral and ethical core statements of the Masonic concept of humanity .
The "high hat"
The “high hat” is not an elitist , but rather an egalitarian symbol . Wearing a festive hat was in European society over many centuries a corporative privilege - only the Lord could wear a hat while squire , servant and servants had to settle for a less make headgear, such as a cap. In the lodge, however, every brother was allowed to wear a hat regardless of his status.
John Hetherington was the first to wear such a hat in England: when he left his house on January 15, 1797, it resulted in a great crush. Because of public indecency he was reportedly arrested and later sentenced to a fine of 500 pounds. However, the veracity of this anecdote is disputed, it could be a modern legend.
The cylinder became a symbol of freedom and the bourgeoisie. In England it was soon called the "Democrat hat". Even today, Freemasons still understand wearing a cylinder as an invitation to always recognize themselves as brothers with equal rights and to meet on the same level - in the symbolic language of bricklaying - “on the angle scale” regardless of their social position. Inconsistent clothing, which can also be the case with bricklayers' aprons , always harbors the risk of possible inequality, depending on the motivation and personality behind it.
In the grand lodge AFuAMvD it is desirable that the high hat be worn by all the brothers in the lodge, but this is not practiced in the vast majority of associated lodges. In the Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of Germany, on the other hand, wearing the hat is stipulated in accordance with the statute book of the Grand Lodge; deviations may only be made in exceptional cases. In other grand lodges such as B. at the Grand Lodge 3WK there are other traditions where z. B. in some lodges only the brothers ritual officials wear the high hat. This differs from lodge to lodge, and so there are also lodges of the WWII in which all members wear the high hat.
Apron and gloves
Mason's apron and gloves, on the other hand, are symbols of active work. If the masonry ritual serves primarily for inner gathering and contemplation , then its real goal points beyond that. The protection and seclusion of the temple should give the individual the opportunity to constantly review the motives for his actions against the ethical norms established by membership in Freemasonry, and to strengthen or, if necessary, correct them by dealing with the group.
The white color of innocence and purity of the apron and gloves indicate the high ethical standard to which the mason has subjected himself and his actions. Only the ethical purity of actions in the “ profane ” world of the individual ensures that the apron and gloves retain their original, symbolically pure color.