This document sets out the patterns of Regalia, Aprons, Sashes, Jewels and Appurtenances as approved by the Supreme Committee in accordance with Regulation 9.2(b).
Anthony Wise
Grand Scribe Ezra
21st February 2015
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
- The term ‘lambskin’ shall signify the same or a suitable type of white material. However, at all times genuine lambskin is the preferred material.
- The term ‘gold’ shall signify the same or a suitable type of gold-like material. image The term ‘silver’ shall signify the same or a suitable type of silver-like material.
- The term ‘bronze’ shall signify the same or a suitable type of bronze-like material. image The term ‘ivory’ shall signify the same or a similar type of ivory-like material.
- The term ‘mother of pearl’ shall signify the same or a suitable type of mother of pearl-like material.
- The specified width of the binding at the top edge of the Apron shall signify the total width of the ribbon used, although only about half that width shall be visible from the front.
- All ribbons used for Aprons, Sashes, Collars and Jewels may at times have small differences in the patterns, this being due to the weaving of the same which the regalia suppliers receive from overseas manufacturers. All measurements stated are approximate.
- All breast jewels of the Order used at the investiture in each Degree may be worn by the Companion who may wish to obtain his own jewels at his own expense.
- Unless specified elsewhere in this document, all breast jewel ribbons shall be 38 mm wide.
Shaped as a shield 740mm wide with each side 950 mm in length tapering down to a point 1230 mm.
The shield is dark blue with a red border 60 mm wide the border edged on both sides with gold lace 15 mm and at its base with a gold fringe 55 mm in length.
Centrally placed a representation of the chain jewel of the Grand Master 95 mm from the top inner border 570 mm in length and 490 mm in width at the segment of circle in black edged and decorated in gold thread, the shield in the centre of the jewel in its proper colours.
Level with the top of the jewel in dexter a representation of Noah’s Ark in gold and in sinister a white Keystone detailed and with its Lewis in gold.
In a semi-circle above the whole the words “GRAND LODGE OF M.M.M. OF N.S.W.” in gold thread. The banner hangs from a plain gold rod by red material identical to that of the border and is suspended by a light blue cord which is looped around both ends of the suspension rod and is finished with a tassel of the same material on both sides.
[PLATE BSS1]
Shaped as a shield 640mm wide with each side 800 mm in length tapering down to a point 1000 mm.
The shield is light blue with two borders each 20 mm wide the inner border being red the outer being purple the outside edge of the purple border edged with gold lace 15 mm wide and at its base with a gold fringe 55 mm in length.
Centrally placed on the shield on a compartment (from dexter to sinister) of thistles, wattle and waratahs the Arms of the United Supreme Grand Chapter proper supported on either side by two inclined shields dexter the Royal Arms of Scotland and sinister the Arms of New South Wales.
Above the whole a red scroll bearing in the centre part of the ribbon on two lines the words “UNITED SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER / OF MARK AND ROYAL ARCH MASONS” in gold thread.
Beneath the whole a red scroll on the dexter part of the ribbon the word “N.S.W.” on the centre part on two lines the word “AND / 1980” and on the sinister part the word “A.C.T.” in gold thread; and beneath that scroll another red scroll on the centre part the words “AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM” in gold thread.
The banner hangs from a plain gold rod by five loops of light blue material identical to that of the shield each loop being 70mm wide.
[PLATE BSS2]
The banner is a rectangle 1080 mm wide and 960 mm in length of red or crimson silk cloth edged with gold lace of 15 mm width on three sides and with a gold fringe 55 mm in length on three sides (the top has no fringe).
In the centre is a large representation of the Arms of unknown provenance being or a chevron sable charged with extended compasses or between three stone windows or mortared sable.
On a wreath of the colours is a Crest being a tower proper mortared, ported and windowed sable above which is the All Seeing Eye proper irradiated or.
The Supporters to the Arms are representations of two of the Four Living Creatures proper described in the Book of Revelation ch. 4 vs. 6-10. On a blue scroll beneath the Arms is the Motto “IN DOMINO FIDUCIA OMNIS” in gold.
Encircling the Arms, Supporters, Crest and Motto are twelve white shields depicting the twelve signs of the zodiac in their proper colours, commencing with the shield immediately above the Crest and proceedings clockwise, viz.: Leo (a lion couchant), Virgo (a maiden depicted as an angel), Libra (a pair of scales), Scorpio (a ‘winged scorpion’ standing), Sagittarius (a centaur as an archer), Capricorn (a ‘sea-goat’), Aquarius (a water bearer), Pisces (two fish), Aires (a ram lying), Taurus (a bull), Gemini (a pair of twins) and Cancer (a crab).
The banner is suspended from a plain wooden rod and hangs from a gold cord which terminates in gold tassels either side of the banner.
[PLATE BSS3]
The banner is a rectangle 1080 mm wide and 960 mm in length of dark green silk cloth edged with gold lace of 15 mm width on three sides and with a gold fringe 55 mm in length on three sides (the top has no fringe).
In the centre is a large representation of the Ark of the Covenant in gold on the lid of which are representations of two of the Four Living Creatures proper described in the Book of Revelation ch. 4 vs. 6-10 above which is the All Seeing Eye proper irradiated or.
Encircling this central device are the twelve signs of the zodiac in their proper colours, commencing immediately above the All Seeing Eye and proceedings clockwise, viz.: Cancer (a crab), Gemini (a pair of twins), Taurus (a bull), Aires (a ram lying), Pisces (two fish), Aquarius (a water bearer), Capricorn (a ‘sea-goat’), Sagittarius (a centaur as an archer), Scorpio (a scorpion), Libra (a pair of scales), Virgo (a maiden depicted as an angel), and Leon (a lion passant).
This is in turn encircled by a gold band divided into 132 equal segments.
At the four corners of the Banner are the following devices: at dexter in chief the Volume of the Sacred Law argent lettered sable charged with the Square and Compasses or; at sinister in chief an equilateral triangle within a circle both or; at dexter in base a diagram of the 47th Proposition of the 1st Book of Euclid or and at sinister in base a pick and shovel in saltire argent handles proper, implements downwards, with a vertical crowbar argent between them.
[PLATE BSS4]
This Banner formerly preceded the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory prior to the creation of the United Supreme Grand Chapter.
[PLATE BSS5]
This Banner formerly preceded the Most Excellent First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory prior to the creation of the United Supreme Grand Chapter.
[PLATE BSS6]
This Banner formerly preceded the Grand Superintendent of the Supreme Grand Chapter for the District of New South Wales prior to the creation of the United Supreme Grand Chapter.
[PLATE BSS7]
The ceremonial sword consists of a blade 870 mm in length and a hilt of 200 mm in length.
Attached to its blade below the guard (which is 200 mm wide) representations of the jewel of a Royal Arch Mason and the jewel of a Mark Master Mason.
The hilt is decoratively engraved gold with silver decorations whilst on either side of the pommel is a round jewel consisting of a circle on a light blue background 35 mm in diameter the emblem of the Order above which is a radiated Ark of the Covenant all in gold. Below the emblem on a saltire purple ribbon is the Motto of the Order “AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM” all in gold.
In the outer circle is the name of the Order in gold on a crimson background 11 mm wide.
[Hilt and pommel detail: PLATE BSS8]
The Baton of Office is gold and is 280 mm in length. Around the crown are representations of the jewels of all the following Degrees conferred by the United Supreme Grand Chapter: Holy Royal Arch, Royal Ark Mariner, Excellent Master, Royal and Select Master and Red Cross Knights save for the Degree of Mark Master Mason.
On the head of the crown is a red velvet cap upon which is a gold circle charged with an equilateral triangle which is in turn charged with the jewel of a Mark Master Mason all in gold.
[BSS9] [Crown detail: PLATES BSS9A to BSS9F]
