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Masonic Apron
The concept for Masonic apron has long been there. It is not a modern invention; in fact it is the most ancient of all garments as Masonry has been alive for centuries. The Masonic apron is in the first place one of the visible signs of membership. It is usually made of a lambskin or white leather, and it is with this garment that the newly made brother accepts the first concrete evidence of his acceptance into the Masonic fraternity.
The Masonic apron has long been considered as one eternal emblem of a Mason’s Masonic affiliation. It is this garment which will figure chiefly throughout the career of an entered apprentice in Masonry from the first lesson in the Northeast corner of the lodge room until both of his Masonic quest as well as life’s span reached their end, and he is duly called from labor.
Since the birth of the Masonic apron, the “Right to Investiture” is highly maintained by the Masonry. Such right, which is actually the ceremony of emblematically clothing the candidate, has been considered as neither original nor distinct to Freemasonry. Several researches have found out that the application of the Masonic apron in the Hermetic ceremonies of the ancient Egypt is evident during the early time. Aside from that, the Masonic apron was even found out to be worn as a symbol of priestly power in the Levitican economy. It is mainly through these findings that the Operative Masons, without doubts, employed the Masonic apron as an item of protective clothing.
The root of the Masonic apron as well as its early development and character in Freemasonry is said to be unclear. Certain reports have noted that that the leather Masonic apron of the Operative Mason basically found its way into the speculative Masonry along with the other emblems of the fraternity. There are some periods in the early times that the Masonic apron became an emblem as well as a badge which is generally recognized as a symbol of antiquity and was then presented to the new Mason as an honor.
The modern Masonic apron is now characterized by a white lambskin aprons which adds two special qualities. It has been deemed that the color white is a ritualistic development to show purity and the lambskin material stands for innocence. With the presentation of the Masonic apron, the Mason then is told that whatever he does and wherever he goes, the Masonic apron will remind him of his Masonic obligations, that is, to do his duty to God, his country, his neighbor, and his family as well.
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