Episode 71. 18:53 Working Tools Series – Why Blue?

“One of the mysteries of Masonry is the term we have for our lodges. They are called ‘blue’ lodges – but why?” 

On this episode, we revisit the incomparable writings of John L. Cooper, III.

“The source of the symbolism has been forgotten, but not the continuing meaning behind it. Our blue lodges are still places where we learn the importance of constraining our passions, and practicing a respect for the religious and political opinions of others.” 

Suggested reading: "The Questing Mind is a Salient Characteristic of a Freemason," a collection of writings by John L. Cooper, III (Past Grand Master, California). 

Transcript

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Today we are revisiting our 1853 working tool series. These episodes are intentionally shorter, not exceeding 18 minutes and 53 seconds, While ideally providing some education, perhaps inspiration and the opportunity for all of us to reflect upon our rich history. We really appreciate you checking out this podcast, emailing all the suggestions we've received, and helping spread the cement of brotherly love and authentic friendship. Let's revisit the incomparable writings of John L. Cooper iii, past Grand Master in California. Why blue? One of the mysteries of masonry is the term we have for our lodges. They are called blue lodges, but why? It seems this question should be easily answered, but that's not the case. Standard Masonic encyclopedias and dictionaries will yield a variety of fanciful explanations, many of which are more speculation than fact. however, Masonic references from the early 18th century include the use of the color blue and one such reference in Samuel Pritchards masonry dissected. That's from 1730. that may in fact be the source of the use of blue for our lodges today. Here is the story. In the 18th century, Freemasons were fond of developing Masonic test questions to screen brethren who showed up as visitors to their lodges, the Masonic Catechisms of the period questions and answers used to instruct candidates in the teachings of Freemasonry. Occasionally included catch questions. It would only make sense to someone familiar with the lodge setting. one test question. Concerned the quote, gold jacket and blue britches, unquote. Pritchard reports this curious dialogue in a question and answer. Have you seen your master today? Yes. How was he clothed In a yellow jacket and blue pair of britches. the author points out the yellow jacket is the compasses and the blue britches or pants. The steel points. On a side note, the term britches is defined as knee length trousers, often having ornamental buckles or elaborate decoration add or near the bottoms. Commonly worn by men and boys in the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. Today, the compass or compasses, as it was spelled in the 18th century, is usually made entirely of silver or gold. But originally the body of the compass was brass, hence the color yellow and the points were tempered steel. Hence the color blue. The test question would clearly be understood by anyone who attended lodge and saw the square in Compass. Resting on the volume of the sacred law, we know that this symbolism was extended to the actual clothing worn by the master of a lodge on at least one instance. On St. John's Day in June, 1725, the Earl of Ross was installed as grandma of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and was escorted to the place of installation by six lodges. the master of one of these lodges, is reported to have worn a yellow jacket and blue britches, unquote. This may have been a whimsical reference to the dialogue later reported in Mason re dissected between those who were quote in the know unquote regarding why the master was so dressed. In the lecture of the enter apprentice degree, there is a reference to the Holy Bible and Square and Compass. It may be an echo of this 18th century esoteric symbolism now largely lost to us. We learn the following. The Holy Bible is dedicated to God, it being his inestimable gift to man as the rule and guide of his faith, the square to the master because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his office. The compass to the craft, or by due attention to its use, we are taught to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within bounds toward all mankind. This passage assigns the meaning of the compass to freemasonry itself and explains its purpose. As the compass is used to draw circles, so Freemason reteaches its members to draw a boundary around their conduct so that they do not trespass on the person or feelings of another through unwarranted intrusion of their own particular sectarian beliefs on social, political, and religious matters, The compass becomes a symbol of restraint upon our own passionate beliefs and a concomitant respect for the opinions and beliefs of others. It is thought by some that the association of the blue of the points of the compass was transferred to Freemasonry as a whole, and especially to the foundational degrees of free masonry. The three degrees of ancient craft masonry, the entered apprentice. Fellow craft and master mason degrees We long after our ancestors developed this association, we forgot its origin and why we now call our lodges blue lodges. But this designation may well hark back to the old test question based on a symbolism now lost the steel points of the compass in the 18th century. The source of the symbolism has been forgotten, but not the continuing meaning behind it. Our blue lodges are still places where we learn the importance of constraining our passions and practicing a respect for the religious and political opinions of others. For the 1853 Working Tool series, I'm Reid Endersbe. Thanks for listening to another episode of Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries.