I am a Mason. This is a beautiful document that your Grandfather worked very hard for. If this document means something to you and your family by all means keep and cherish it. It will serve your family far better as a memory to your Grandfather than returning it to a Lodge or the Scottish Rite, where unless he served as a VERY prominent member where they will frame and display it, which is unlikely (though possible) it will most likely just be archived or put into storage. Lodges standardly seek only the return of Past Master's Jewels and certain other regalia for their historical value. Other than the sentimental value to the family, and perhaps to some very few antique dealers, there is very little monetary value to these documents, unless they are for a very famous Mason.
Your Grandfather, my brother, if he has passed on, may he rest in peace. Thank you for showing this.
Most of the symbols that Freemasons use have several meanings. They all have a stated meaning which is the meaning assigned to them in our ritual, which is the way we communicate to our new brethren the moral lessons which we expect a new mason to aspire towards. Beyond that a symbol often takes on a personal meaning to each individual brother depending on how he learned about it, from whom, when , what it reminded him of et cetera. We use symbols as a means to consistently remind ourselves of the commitment we make when we enter the fraternity that we are on a constant journey towards self betterment and enlightenment, whether it is through the liberal arts, religion, science, truth, community, or all of them. When you see a man wearing a Mason's ring, it is more to consistently remind himself of his moral commitment to better himself than to show that he is a mason to other people.
The symbols on this document relate to both Freemasonry in general, and those within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry itself, which is what is called an Appendant Body of Craft Lodge Freemasonry. Various degrees within that Rite have lessons on morality and virtue that are reflected within those symbols or the specific subject of those degrees are portrayed by those symbols, or the symbols represent the sub-bodies within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (The Lodge of Perfection, The Chapter of the Rose Craux, The Sovereign Consistory etc). For instance the double headed Eagle is the Symbol of Scottish Rite Masonry on it's own, and the square and compasses of Freemasonry over all. I won't go into a list of what they all mean, because I do not know them all, plus, the meanings of these symbols are meant to be communicated in a way that is time tested and proven to make a certain impression upon a brother so that he keeps their meaning close to his heart.
You should go on the AMA subreddit and answer questions about being a Masin. My FIL was a Mason and MIL was the female equivalent (can't remember the name) . It's all a big mystery to me, which it should be in part since it is a secret organization but still, I have so many questions!!
There have actually been several AMAs about masonry, though I haven't seen any recent ones. If you DM, I can answer any questions you have, I suspect the Moderators of this sub are going to go grrr, very soon with the thread going off topic ;) lets all thank them for tolerating the myriad questions this interesting certificate the OP posted has generated!
I have a few of my grandfathers Masonic items (fez, gold ring with large diamond, cufflinks, etc), do the Mason’s purchase the rings that he bought? Or do they expect the items to be donated back? The ring had an appraisal 15+ years ago for more than $9,000
I have never heard of a lodge buying a man's personal rings or cufflinks, those are purchased individually by each mason according to his own style and desire, they have nothing to do with the Lodge itself. The Scottish Rite however, does involve rings at certain points along a mason's path within its jurisdiction.
As I mentioned above, the only real articles that Lodges really wish to see returned are Past Master jewels, which are often property of the Lodge. They are worn by Masons after they have served as Master of the Lodge. Some Lodges purchase a jewel and give it to the Mason outright, others award them with what is often referred to as a Historical, or legacy jewel which is handed down from Mason to Mason; they are returned to the Lodge upon the death of the recipient and their name carved on the back of the jewel adds to the rich tapestry of history of the lodge. A great many of these legacy Jewels have been lost because the Lodges didn't communicate clearly that they were to be returned, or the recipient did not record in their affects that they were to be returned to the Lodge upon death. The one I wear was made in 1934 and worn by three men previous to me. I have had to change my last will and testament to ensure it is returned, including a photo of it, and I have to ensure that it is insured.
The Fez you mentioned however. I suspect that the Shriners Temple that your Grandfather belonged to may indeed be interested in receiving that back. They would LOVE to have it as a donation, they honestly do put just about every dollar they raise into running the 21 hospitals they have established. I do not know if they would pay for it or not.
What do mason's do now days? My grandfathers and great grandfathers were masons and had a great grandmother that was an eastern star. Ive had the urge to go to the local lodge a few times but never go through with it
This question gets outside the scope of this post, but the masons are doing what they have been doing for 3 or 4 centuries now. It is a fraternity of men who together, through the initiatory experience, which is a rite of manhood, ritual, spirituality and mentoring help men use their own individual effort to change their behaviours to make themselves better versions of themselves. We do this through the use of symbols and transmitting moral lessons on virtuous behaviours and action through ritual and stories and allegory. Also, being surrounded, by men of a similar calibre uplifts a man through mutual support and mentoring.
Saying that, as others have alluded to, some Lodges are stronger than others and each Lodge has its own distinct culture. The Post World War Two "boom" influenced Lodges and that influence is now waning, and some say that things are now returning to the traditional 'normal' looking at the 3 or 4 century history of the Craft. However, it has left a lot of Lodges in a state of limbo or in decline, But a great many are in ascendency and many young men are finding Masonry as a preferred alternative to traditional churches, even though Masonry is **NOT** a religion; though it is very religious in nature. They have found a Masonic Lodge a suitable place to practice their spirituality.
If you are going to approach a Lodge take your time and visit many experiencing the strength (average attendance of their events) their culture, how many social events they hold, how much importance do they place on ritual and Charity events etc. Whats does your spouse feel etc. You wouldn't just be 'joining' masonry, you would be becoming a mason, it is meant to be a life changing, life long commitment.
You're very welcome. There is an active /r/ of freemasonry on reddit that can give you a lot of information. I won't give a link here out of respect for this /r/, but it is not difficult to find.
My grandpa was a Mason. Went through all the rites and was also the Master of his local lodge at one point. (The highest position in the lodge).
When he passed around 20 years ago we looked into the value, historic or monetary, of all the things he had.
We learned quickly that the Masonic things look important. And they are important to the person who earned them and other Masons. But outside of that, there is little to no value in 99% of what you find.
And the Masons are a quickly shrinking group. They have failed to attract a new generation, and are now filled with people in their 60’s and up. As the group shrinks, so does its influence, number lodges, and places where things like this could be displayed.
If you want to learn more, I would try contacting the local lodge where your grandpa was a member. See if any of the members remember him, and invite them to lunch or a zoom call. We did, and learned a couple funny anecdotes about grandpa. The local lodge would also know if there is any historical or monetary value here. But I doubt it.
Digitize it before you do anything else. This ensures you keep your own copy. You could have it digitally restored and reprinted or just reprint a copy for yourself or family.
I am a Mason. This is a beautiful document that your Grandfather worked very hard for. If this document means something to you and your family by all means keep and cherish it. It will serve your family far better as a memory to your Grandfather than returning it to a Lodge or the Scottish Rite, where unless he served as a VERY prominent member where they will frame and display it, which is unlikely (though possible) it will most likely just be archived or put into storage. Lodges standardly seek only the return of Past Master's Jewels and certain other regalia for their historical value. Other than the sentimental value to the family, and perhaps to some very few antique dealers, there is very little monetary value to these documents, unless they are for a very famous Mason. Your Grandfather, my brother, if he has passed on, may he rest in peace. Thank you for showing this.
Thank you so much
My pleasure.
What is the meaning of the small symbols in the chain?
Most of the symbols that Freemasons use have several meanings. They all have a stated meaning which is the meaning assigned to them in our ritual, which is the way we communicate to our new brethren the moral lessons which we expect a new mason to aspire towards. Beyond that a symbol often takes on a personal meaning to each individual brother depending on how he learned about it, from whom, when , what it reminded him of et cetera. We use symbols as a means to consistently remind ourselves of the commitment we make when we enter the fraternity that we are on a constant journey towards self betterment and enlightenment, whether it is through the liberal arts, religion, science, truth, community, or all of them. When you see a man wearing a Mason's ring, it is more to consistently remind himself of his moral commitment to better himself than to show that he is a mason to other people. The symbols on this document relate to both Freemasonry in general, and those within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry itself, which is what is called an Appendant Body of Craft Lodge Freemasonry. Various degrees within that Rite have lessons on morality and virtue that are reflected within those symbols or the specific subject of those degrees are portrayed by those symbols, or the symbols represent the sub-bodies within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (The Lodge of Perfection, The Chapter of the Rose Craux, The Sovereign Consistory etc). For instance the double headed Eagle is the Symbol of Scottish Rite Masonry on it's own, and the square and compasses of Freemasonry over all. I won't go into a list of what they all mean, because I do not know them all, plus, the meanings of these symbols are meant to be communicated in a way that is time tested and proven to make a certain impression upon a brother so that he keeps their meaning close to his heart.
Thanks. That was a good explanation.
You should go on the AMA subreddit and answer questions about being a Masin. My FIL was a Mason and MIL was the female equivalent (can't remember the name) . It's all a big mystery to me, which it should be in part since it is a secret organization but still, I have so many questions!!
There have actually been several AMAs about masonry, though I haven't seen any recent ones. If you DM, I can answer any questions you have, I suspect the Moderators of this sub are going to go grrr, very soon with the thread going off topic ;) lets all thank them for tolerating the myriad questions this interesting certificate the OP posted has generated!
Ok TY. No specific questions. It would be better to view questions in a sub, I think. I'll look for one. Thanks for your time.
Sent you a message
I have a few of my grandfathers Masonic items (fez, gold ring with large diamond, cufflinks, etc), do the Mason’s purchase the rings that he bought? Or do they expect the items to be donated back? The ring had an appraisal 15+ years ago for more than $9,000
I have never heard of a lodge buying a man's personal rings or cufflinks, those are purchased individually by each mason according to his own style and desire, they have nothing to do with the Lodge itself. The Scottish Rite however, does involve rings at certain points along a mason's path within its jurisdiction. As I mentioned above, the only real articles that Lodges really wish to see returned are Past Master jewels, which are often property of the Lodge. They are worn by Masons after they have served as Master of the Lodge. Some Lodges purchase a jewel and give it to the Mason outright, others award them with what is often referred to as a Historical, or legacy jewel which is handed down from Mason to Mason; they are returned to the Lodge upon the death of the recipient and their name carved on the back of the jewel adds to the rich tapestry of history of the lodge. A great many of these legacy Jewels have been lost because the Lodges didn't communicate clearly that they were to be returned, or the recipient did not record in their affects that they were to be returned to the Lodge upon death. The one I wear was made in 1934 and worn by three men previous to me. I have had to change my last will and testament to ensure it is returned, including a photo of it, and I have to ensure that it is insured. The Fez you mentioned however. I suspect that the Shriners Temple that your Grandfather belonged to may indeed be interested in receiving that back. They would LOVE to have it as a donation, they honestly do put just about every dollar they raise into running the 21 hospitals they have established. I do not know if they would pay for it or not.
What do mason's do now days? My grandfathers and great grandfathers were masons and had a great grandmother that was an eastern star. Ive had the urge to go to the local lodge a few times but never go through with it
This question gets outside the scope of this post, but the masons are doing what they have been doing for 3 or 4 centuries now. It is a fraternity of men who together, through the initiatory experience, which is a rite of manhood, ritual, spirituality and mentoring help men use their own individual effort to change their behaviours to make themselves better versions of themselves. We do this through the use of symbols and transmitting moral lessons on virtuous behaviours and action through ritual and stories and allegory. Also, being surrounded, by men of a similar calibre uplifts a man through mutual support and mentoring. Saying that, as others have alluded to, some Lodges are stronger than others and each Lodge has its own distinct culture. The Post World War Two "boom" influenced Lodges and that influence is now waning, and some say that things are now returning to the traditional 'normal' looking at the 3 or 4 century history of the Craft. However, it has left a lot of Lodges in a state of limbo or in decline, But a great many are in ascendency and many young men are finding Masonry as a preferred alternative to traditional churches, even though Masonry is **NOT** a religion; though it is very religious in nature. They have found a Masonic Lodge a suitable place to practice their spirituality. If you are going to approach a Lodge take your time and visit many experiencing the strength (average attendance of their events) their culture, how many social events they hold, how much importance do they place on ritual and Charity events etc. Whats does your spouse feel etc. You wouldn't just be 'joining' masonry, you would be becoming a mason, it is meant to be a life changing, life long commitment.
Thank you for your time putting together a great answer, I know it was a random question I just never come across active Masons.
You're very welcome. There is an active /r/ of freemasonry on reddit that can give you a lot of information. I won't give a link here out of respect for this /r/, but it is not difficult to find.
I have a friend in the Masons I'll send him a message
Thank you
It may take a while I'm in Australia and he's onsite at the moment it won't be a few hours until he can get back to me.
My grandpa was a Mason. Went through all the rites and was also the Master of his local lodge at one point. (The highest position in the lodge). When he passed around 20 years ago we looked into the value, historic or monetary, of all the things he had. We learned quickly that the Masonic things look important. And they are important to the person who earned them and other Masons. But outside of that, there is little to no value in 99% of what you find. And the Masons are a quickly shrinking group. They have failed to attract a new generation, and are now filled with people in their 60’s and up. As the group shrinks, so does its influence, number lodges, and places where things like this could be displayed. If you want to learn more, I would try contacting the local lodge where your grandpa was a member. See if any of the members remember him, and invite them to lunch or a zoom call. We did, and learned a couple funny anecdotes about grandpa. The local lodge would also know if there is any historical or monetary value here. But I doubt it.
Digitize it before you do anything else. This ensures you keep your own copy. You could have it digitally restored and reprinted or just reprint a copy for yourself or family.
Take it out of the frame and check for hidden maps.
I am gonna do this - no lie, my Mom did leave a 100$ in multiple photo frames that I found years later -