The Apron

[Tamrin]

The Apron

All through the Ages the Apron has had an important and symbolic meaning.

In Ancient Egypt monuments were often made to include figures wearing triangular aprons—point upwards.

In Central America, Gods were depicted in sculpture and drawings—wearing aprons. Ancient Chinese representations show figures wearing semi-circular aprons. Dignitaries in Ancient Peru wore aprons. Primitive tribes in central Africa invested their youths with aprons of leaves on their initiation into manhood.

However, though the apron has ancient connections in almost every part of the world, the Masonic Apron no doubt evolved from that worn by operative masons. These medieval masons, when at work, wore aprons to protect their clothes, and often white leather gloves to protect their hands. These early aprons, usually made of animal skins, were long enough to cover the knees and the bib protected the chest.

By the mid 1700's many aprons were decorated with designs. These decorations varied from mason to mason; there was no uniformity. But in time, some designs became very popular - squares, two pillars, ladders. Others were of buildings, representation of ceremonies etc.

Gradually, the form style, and design became standardised in each area. A visit to a Masonic Museum will enable one to see not only the old type of apron, decorated to suit the idea of an individual brother, but also the present-day standardised aprons of Ireland, England, Scotland, and other Constitutions.

Modern aprons differ in design, but all indicate a symbolic meaning—thus indicating the change from the utility type apron of the medieval times to the impressive symbolic apron of the speculative mason of today.

The apron is the badge of a Freemason, and it is the first gift bestowed upon the newly initiated Apprentice. By the whiteness of its colour, and the innocence of the animal from which it is obtained, the mason is admonished to preseve purity of life. The blue border is said to symbolise universal friendship and benevolence; and the mason is encouraged to make those virtues as extensive as the blue arch of heaven itself.

Source:
George Power, A Second Masonic Miscellany: A Further Collection of Items of Masonic Interest, June 1986, MMT Printers Limited, Belfast, p.13

[Tamrin]

The Master's Apron
By Robbie Burns, 1786


Ther's mony a badge that's unco braw;
Wi' ribbon, lace and tape on;
Let kings an' princes wear them a'
Gie me the Master's apron!

The honest craftsman's apron,
The jolly Freemason's apron,
Be he at hame, or roam afar,
Before his touch fa's bolt and bar,
The gates of fortune fly ajar,
'Gin he but wears the apron!

For wealth and honor, pride and power
Are crumbling stanes to base on;
Fraternity suld rule the hour,
And ilka worthy Mason!
Each Free Accepted Mason,
Each Ancient Crafted Mason.

Then, brithers, let a halesome sang
Arise your friendly ranks alang!
Guidwives and bairnies blithely sing
To the ancient badge wi' the apron string
That is wom by the Master Mason!

[Tamrin]

[Tamrin]

[Tamrin]

The apron and its symbolism

By Bro. F.R. Worts, M.A., P.A.G.D.C. (Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon)

(Excerpt)

There can be no doubt that the Masonic apron has been developed from the apron worn by operative masons in the middle ages. The few examples surviving show that the operative apron was fashioned from the skin of an animal, most probably a sheep. It was large enough to cover the wearer from chest to ankles, and its fall was held by a leathern thong which passed round the neck. From each side a thong, firmly stitched, enabled the mason to tie the apron round his waist, and the tied bow tended to fall as end-strings. The use of this rough apron continued for many centuries ; the woven apron used by modern masons is comparatively late; it came into use in the eighteenth century.

The earliest representations of the Freemason’s Apron are seen on the engraved portrait of Antony Sayer, the first G.M. of the modern Craft. (1717), and on the frontispiece illustration of Anderson’s first Book of Constitutions (1723). In the former, unfortunately, only the upper part of the apron is visible, and what appears to be the bib or flap is raised. In the second example a Tyler is bringing into the hall a number of aprons ; these have long tie-strings which seem to be of leather. They are also large, well capable of covering a man from chest to: ankles. The method of tying-on the apron was that of operative masons, with the bow and strings in front ; this method was continued later, even when silk or linen strings were used.

See also: THE SYMBOLISM AND DESIGN OF THE MASONIC APRON
And: THE GRAND DAME

[Tamrin]

THE LAMB SKIN

Anon.

It's not ornamental; the cost is not great,
There are things far more useful, yet truly I state,
Of all my possessions, there's none can compare,
With that white leather apron, which all Masons wear.

As a young lad I wondered just what it all meant,
When Dad hustled round, and much time it was spent,
On shaving and dressing and looking just right,
Until Mother would say: "It's the Mason's tonight."

She asked one winter's night: "What makes you go,
Way up there through the sleet and the snow,
When you see the same things every month of the year."
Then Dad would reply: "Yes, I know, my dear.

Forty years I have seen the same things, it is true.
And although they are old, they always seem new,
For the hands that I clasp, and the friends that I greet,
Seem a little bit closer each time that we meet."

Years later I stood at that very same door,
With good men and true who had entered before,
I knelt at the altar, and there I was taught
That virtue and honor can never be bought.

That the spotless white lambskin all Masons revere,
If worthily worn grows more precious each year,
That service to others brings blessings untold,
That man may be poor though surrounded by gold.

I learned that true Brotherhood flourishes there,
That enmities fade 'neath the compass and square,
That wealth and position are thrust aside,
As there on the level men meet and abide.

So, honor the lambskin, may it always remain
Forever unblemished, and free from all stain,
And when we are called to the Great Father's love,
May we each take our place in that Lodge up above.

[Tamrin]

Austrian Exhibit featuring Masonic Aprons

(Excerpt)

Lieber Bruder ..., ich bekleide Dich mit einem besonderen Abzeichen des Freimaurers. Dieser weiße Schurz ist älter als das Goldene Vlies oder der Römische Adler oder irgend ein anderer sonst existierender Orden. Er ist ein Symbol der Unschuld und ein Band der Freundschaft...

(Translated)

Dear brother…, I dress you in the special badge of a freemason. This white Apron is older than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle or possibly any other badge otherwise existing. It is a symbol of innocence and the bond of friendship…

[Tamrin]

Washington's Apron - Presented By Bro. Lafayette

(The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania)

(Excerpt)

When the young Marquis de Lafayette came to America at the age of 20 and joined George Washington's army for the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, the American cause had become his cause.

The affection each man held for the other is legendary. So, too, is the legacy of Masonic history developed through that affection. For many years Masons and non-Masons believed that the white silk apron known as the Lafayette Apron, had been embroidered by Madame Lafayette and presented to Bro. George Washington by Bro. Lafayette in August of 1784. This cannot be documented as fact. It has, however, been ascertained that the Apron did indeed belong to Bro. Washington, and current research suggests that it was made in China.

[Tamrin]

General Tom Thumb's Masonic Apron

[The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania]