February 17, 2025
Freemasonry – Colour Symbolism
I recommend you read my article ‘Colour Symbolism‘ first! It provides background information about what colour is and does, insightful thoughts by Carl Jung and Bro. Goethe, and some historical references, that will place what I have written below in a broader perspective.
Colours in Freemasonry
Symbolism is one of Freemasonry’s most typical features. Its symbolism and rituals makes it unique. Though perhaps not as obvious as particular objects and forms, colour plays an important role in symbolism of Masonry as well. No matter the lack of a ‘universal’ recognisable arrangement (system) of colours in Freemasonry, the colours used aren’t arbitrary and are often derived from ancient traditions from mysteries, cultures or religions, like those referred to earlier in this article.
For the meanings of colours red, yellow, green, blue, purple, black and white in Masonry, there is no recognised scheme or science used, according to Masonic author A. E. Waite, as mentioned by Bro. Leon Zeldis in the Ars Quatuor Coranatorum (Transactions 105).
With cultures, religions (references to biblical stories), mysteries and psychology (Jung among others) in mind, it is not odd that in Freemasonry the symbolic meaning of colours are used to ‘colour’ the symbolism and allegories. Colours, in fact, are as important in Speculative Freemasonry as they were in ancient Mysteries and religions.
Blue
The colour blue as described in this article so far would symbolise Blue Lodges well: ‘fidelity, truthfulness and spirituality, friendship and benevolence’.
Red
Some Masonic degrees use red as base colour, much like Symbolic Lodges use blue. Like the York Ride Royal Arch degree as well as the heraldic degrees of the York and Scottish Rites. Red is also the third and final alchemical stage. Red is also the colour of Tubal-Cain.
Purple or Violet
The York Rite Mark, Past and Most Excellent Master degrees combine red and blue into purple or violet (reminder of a close and harmonious relationship). Mackey suggested purple or violent symbolically being the colour of transition, from the symbolic Blue Lodges to the red of the Royal Arch. Of purple can also symbolise Union – purple being formed by the union of blue and red.
Yellow
Yellow is the colour of sulphur. Yellow, or Gold, is also the colour of the Sun, a symbol common and present in every Freemasonry Temple.
Green
Green is typical for Counsel degrees. The acacia (the Masonic evergreen) has been suggested as a symbol of a moral life or rebirth, and also of immortality.
White
White is also is one of two colours of the checkered floor, the second alchemical stage. The Masonic apron of the Entered Apprentice (and often that the Fellow Craft too) is generally white, without symbols or decorations.
Black
Black represents the depths of the Earth, V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (alchemical motto), first alchemical stage, and black is one of two colours of the checkered floor.
How are those colours used?
Colours are used for the Masonic Regalia worn during rituals and ceremonies.
“The first mention of colour that I know of is in the resolution of Grand Lodge of June 24th, 1727, by which the Worshipful Master and “Wardens of all private Lodges are ordered to wear ” the jewels of Masonry hanging to a white ribbon,” so that blue was evidently not coeval with the formation of the Grand Lodge of 1717.
The next resolution on the subject was on March 17th, 1731, by which the Master, Wardens and members of private Lodges were ordered to wear white leather aprons lined with white silk ; the Grand Stewards’ aprons and collars of red silk; and the Grand Officers to wear gold or gilt jewels pendant to blue ribbons about their necks, and white leather aprons lined with blue silk. I may also mention, as a side light on the subject, that in 1765 garters (of purple, indented with pink), are described as part of the Royal Arch clothing.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Orient of the Netherlands give the greatest freedom of choice to daughter Lodges. In Scotland aprons are found of every shade, and even combination, of red, blue, white, green and tartan. In Holland, with the exception of tartan [1], similar varieties are in vogue. The Grand Officers of the Grand Orient of the Netherlands use blue and gold, both in aprons and collars. In Scotland the colours in use in private Lodges are not even permanent, but appear to be changed at pleasure.
Turning to other degrees, red, and purple and crimson are specially apportioned to the Royal Arch and attendant degrees ; black to the Templars, and green or white to higher grades. Hence we hear of ” blue masonry,” ” red masonry,” ” black masonry ” etc., as a convenient way of distinguishing the component groups of such Rites as the “Early Scottish” and others.“
– Bro. F. J. W. Crowe (Art Quatuor Coranatorum Transactions 17 ‘Colours in Freemasonry‘)
In the Ancient and Accepted Rite these Masonic colours are also used for Temple decors. Colours of the Regalia and the Temple decors are matching and the colour combination used changes from degree by degree.
Bro. F. J. W. Crowe lists these colour combinations from the 4th degree up to the 33rd degree. If you are curious, do check out the Ars Quatuor Coronatorum (AQC) vol. 17 that includes the essay by Bro. F. J. W. Crowe. What follows are additional comments by Bro. Crowe’s fellow Brethren, that might be of interest to you too.
Footnotes:
Lodge “De Gulden Regel” (The Golden Rule), whom I am a member of – the only blue Lodge under the Grand Orient of the Netherlands that uses the Scottish Rites blue grade rituals – are the exception on the exception, for they are the only Lodge in the Netherlands using a tartan, the “Freemason’s Universal Tartan” to be precise.
Sources:
- In Art Quatuor Coranatorum (AQC) Transactions 17 ‘Colours in Freemasonry‘ by Bro. F. J. W. Crowe
- In Art Quatuor Coranatorum (AQC) Transactions 105
- Color Symbolism and Freemasonry – Bro. John Shroeder, PM
- Chapter XV – The Symbolism Of Colours – W. M. Don Falconer PM, PDGDC
