Page 24 - MFM Mar Apl 2021.indd

Masonic Blue

Simon Pierce

Th e origin of Masonic Blue is somewhat of a Masonic Blue on a Masonic lapel pin, most Masonic
mystery.....or is it? cuffl inks, Masonic gift s and the overwhelming
majority of Masonic jewelry...not to mention upon
Colors are somewhat subjective for each of us. Masonic aprons and other Masonic supplies.
Diff erent people see colors diff erently. Even each
graphics program and computer monitor displays Is there one single, defi nitive answer as to why
them a little diff erently and so, even the color "light Freemasonry's primary color is called "Masonic blue"?
blue" can denote a vast array of hues or tones of the
same color. Th ere are an overwhelming number of thought
provoking indicators throughout history that lead us
Freemasons learn that the answer to this question closer to the answer.
is that Masonic Blue is the color of the starry decked
sky,... the celestial clouded canopy that covers each and BLUE IN ISRAEL
every one of us. But,... why "blue"? Why not purple or
red or any other color in the spectrum? Blue was a sacred color to the priests of Israel in
biblical times. Th e color is mentioned fi rst in the Old
Q: And... what exact hue of blue does Masonic Blue Testament in:
represent?
...the light, clear blue of a Summer's day, the dark Exodus XXV:3-4: in which the Lord commanded
blue before the storm? Moses to speak to the children of Israel, saying:
...the royal blue of a Mediterranean sky
...or something in between? “And this is the off ering which ye shall take of them;
gold, and silver, and brass, and blue, and purple,
A: Th e answer to this question might be forever lost and scarlet, and fi ne linen, and goat’s hair.”
to us
..except for the long lost (and recently rediscovered) Th roughout the Books of Exodus and Numbers are
knowledge of the Chilazon. (more on the Chilazon many references to the color, blue, and several more
later in this page) are to be found in Chronicles, Esther, Jeremiah and
Ezekiel.
But, fi rst...let's go back in history and "poke around" a
bit, shall we? We read of the “fi ne twined linens," and “Make the
ephod (pronounced ee-foo-daw) of Gold and Blue,”
BLUE AND GOLD
What is an Ephod? An ephod is a part of the
We see the colors blue and gold repeatedly used sacerdotal (of or relating to priests or a priesthood)
together throughout nature, in the scriptures and in habit (clothing or vestments) among Jews. It is a
the process of learning why blue is a sacred color. covering for the back and breast, held together on the
shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set
SUN AND STARS in gold, and fastened by a girdle of the same material
as the ephod. Th e ephod for the priests was of plain
Th e sky is blue. Th e sun's rays are gold in color. linen. Th e ephod worn by the high priest was richly
Th erefore, it is easy to see why the colors blue and embroidered in colors. Th e breastplate of the high
gold have historically been associated with Deity priest was worn upon the ephod in front. Th us, the
(God, G_d, the Creator, the Almighty, the Supreme ephod is essentially an apron-like garment.
Architect of the Universe).
We fi nd many references to the color, blue, in the Bible:
Masonic Blue Paraphernalia
...“bind the breastplates with a lace of blue,”
We see the colors blue and gold repeatedly in “pomegranates of blue,” “an hanging for the tabernacle
Masonic paraphernalia such as gold Masonic rings of blue,” “needlework of blue,” “a cloth wholly of blue.
with the ring's face or background being blue. We see
Montana Freemason Page 24 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2