Bejewelled: Role and Rank
Freemasons call their badges 'jewels'. In this exhibit we explore some of the symbols and their meaning.
Lodge Master, collar jewel (1910)Museum of Freemasonry
Symbols from inside freemasonry
Freemasons use stonemason working tools as symbols for their roles in the lodge. The Master uses the square, for checking right angles.
Lodge Senior Warden, collar jewel (1910)Museum of Freemasonry
Symbols from inside freemasonry
The Senior Warden uses the level, for checking horizontal lines.
Lodge Junior Warden, collar jewel (1910)Museum of Freemasonry
Symbols from inside freemasonry
The Junior Warden uses the plumb line, for checking vertical lines.
Lodge Secretary, collar jewel (1780)Museum of Freemasonry
Symbols from outside freemasonry
Not all symbols used by freemasons are unique to freemasonry. A quill for writing is often used as a traditional symbol for a Secretary. This collar jewel dates from 1780.
Lodge Treasurer, collar jewel (1780)Museum of Freemasonry
Symbols from outside freemasonry
In the days when money was always locked in a safe box, the symbol for a Treasurer was a key.
Lodge Deacon, collar jewels (1811/1817) by Thomas HarperMuseum of Freemasonry
Symbols from outside freemasonry
A Deacon, who is a lodge messenger, uses the symbol of the dove from the Bible story about Noah and the ark. The messenger Mercury from Roman mythology is also used.
Lodge of Friendship, collar jewel (1878)Museum of Freemasonry
The Past Master
When a Master of a lodge steps down they become a Past Master.
The Past Master
The lodge members usually present a unique collar jewel with an inscription on the back as a way of saying thank you.
St. John's Lodge, Past Master collar jewel (1858)Museum of Freemasonry
The Past Master
The Past Master's symbol includes something extra: It's a very important diagram from geometry called Euclid’s 47th Proposition.
The Past Master
The 47th Proposition of Euclid, also called Pythagoras' Theorem, is from ancient Greek mathematics. It is fundamental to geometry and can be found everywhere in freemasonry.
Past Master collar jewel; Portrait of unknown Past Master (1810)Museum of Freemasonry
The Past Master
In 1910 designs became standardised which meant that richer lodges or members could no longer show off their wealth with elaborate jewels.
The Past Master
We don't know who this freemason is, but we know he was a Past Master of a wealthy lodge.
Past Master jewels for a lodge
Lodges often give the Past Master a breast jewel with extra symbolism relating to the lodge itself. Let's take a look at some examples now.
Can you spot the connections between the symbolism and the lodge names?
The members of these lodges share a common interest or profession. Can you guess these from the symbols?
Authors' Lodge, Past Master jewel (1913)Museum of Freemasonry
Style of the period
Authors’ Lodge added ancient Egyptian imagery to this intricate Past Master's jewel. Egyptian symbolism is common in freemasonry, especially in the early 20th century during the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods.
Style of the period
Egyptian symbolism is common in freemasonry, especially in the early 20th century during the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods.
Style of the period
Every detail contains a hidden meaning to those familiar with freemasonry and Egyptian mythology.
Style of the period
The enamelled cast metal demonstrates the talent and skill required to make such a beautiful piece of jewellery.
