Blue Above And Blue Below.

BLUE ABOVE AND BLUE BELOW .

THE RE are many associations connected with the colour which is to the Mason so suggestive a symbol . " Blue is emphatically the colour of Masonry , " writes one authority upon the subject , and its frequent use in the degrees and decorations of the Lodge room makes it a suggestive emblem to the members of the Fraternity . Tho average Brother is familiar with the sight of this blue used in various devices and with wide significance , but the

true meaning of the colour , the reason for its place and pre-eminence is too often unknown or unheeded . The eye may see the outward beauty of device and colouring , but the intended revelation will not be appreciated unless the symbol is understood and its appropriateness made manifest . In order that symbolic teachings may have their right place in Masonry , as elsewhere , there must be an intelligent grasp of their meaning and derivation , a study of their origin and ' significance .

The colour under discussion is honoured in its position as the only appropriate tint , white not boing properly a colour , for the decorations of the "Blue Lodge . " Not only in the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry does blue play an important part , but in the Scottish Rite ifc is also largely used with various suggestive meanings . Its primal significance is that of universal

Brotherhood and charity , because , as the colour of the skies above is over all men , so should these virtues be inculcated in every human soul . We find in all the teachings emphasized by the colour , blue , this broad character , whether its symbolism is based upon a historical or a moral foundation . Thus in its use in the degrees in the symbolic Lodges ifcs re ference is said t

be to the skies of azure and gold , rn which Jehovah was revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai , while in other uses blue signifies immortality and heaven itself . One of the best definitions of the significance of this emblematic tint is that given by Neale , in his Symbolic Colours : "Azure was in divine

language the symbol of eternal truth ; in consecrated language , of immortality ; and in profane language , of fidelity . " Tbe virtues of fidelity , gentleness , constancy and wisdom have all been represented by this colour , while it has always been used to suggest that these virtues should be for all men under the broad canopy of heaven .

In the religious ceremonies of the Hebrews blue was largely used . The High Priest wore the colour and the people also were directed to wear a blue ribbon , and one of the veils of the Tabernacle was of this symbolic hue . We find an allusion to this in Numbers xv ., 38 , " Speak unto the children of Israel , and bid them that they make them fringes in tbe borders of their

garments .... and that they put upon' the fringe .... a ribband of blue . " Among the Gentile nations of antiquity blue was also used in religious symbolism . The Druids , the Egyptians , the Babylonians , the Hindoos , all employed the colour either as a dress for idols or as symbolic of sacred truth and Deity . We find the colour frequently used by the Old

Masters for the garments of angels and the Virgin—m this use it is said to denote modesty . The old cathedrals are full of examples of the way in which this colour may be employed for church adornment , in stained glass effects in paintings , in mosaics , and in the dye of cloths and hangings . The church has used this colour with effect all through the centuries and thus emphasized its teachings of immortality and Divine eternity . It seems a

strange coincidence that this colour , beloved by the ritualist and the Roman church , should also be the badge of the sturdy Scotch Covenanters , who based their selection upon the Bible quotation previously quoted , and of the Presbyterian clergyman whose blue apron was thrown over the preaching tub before he began his sermon . " 'Twas Presbyterian true blue , " says Hudibras , and another less famous writer tells of one who attended a

lecture" When I a tub did view , Hung with an apron blue ; 'Twas the preacher ' s , I conjecture . " This colour so justly prominent in Masonry and the church touches life also at many other points . It is the colour of poetry and romance . The

true lover ' s knot is always azure , the ideal is suggested by the blue roses of German writers , while the poets sing of the " blue heaven above us bent . " " Tho sea ! the sea 1 the open sea ! The blue , the fresh , the ever free . " and

" The blue-rushing of the arrowy Rhone . " In art and nature blue has ifcs significance . In heraldic blazonry it is quite often used to signify fidelity and spotless reputation : as already indicated , its various shades are employed in many forms of church decoration , notably that of stained glass , where the different tints may bo

soft as the turquoise or hard as the brilliant glitter of the sapphire . In nature , there is the . unparalleled charm of sky and ocean , the " blue above and , below , " , which poets have sung ever since the creation of the world . Then there is a tiny forgefc-me-not , the fringed gentian , the morning glory ' s " airy cups of blue " to charm us with their beauty ; while the violet ' s blue has been lauded by many a poet in . verses of world-wide fame .

In literature there are not only " Blu 3 Books , " but many phrases and illusions to this colour and its meanings . There are the " blue stockings , " a well-known nickname for women writers . There are varying foundations given for this name—that commonly accepted is : " In the time of Dr

Johnson , Mrs . Thrale and other ladies held weekly assemblies for meeting literary men . A Mr . Sfcillingfleet was an eminent member . His dress was peculiar and he-wore blue stockings . When he was absent he was greatly missed , and it was . common to say , ' We can do nothing without the blue

Blue Above And Blue Below.

stockings . '" By degrees the name came to be applied to the ladies who attended , and the assemblies received the name of " Blue Stocking Clubs . " From this ifc was an easy matter to term all women of literary ability , bluestockings .

Wo have also the phrase , true blue , by whioh we designate a person of enduring virtue and unblemished reputation . This reference comes from the blue cloth and thread made in Coventry , England , which is noted for its excellent wearing qualities and fast colour . The proverb " true blue will never stain , " means that a noble heart will never disgrace itself , and owes its origin to the blue blouses and aprons which are worn by butchers and whioh do not show blood stains . We are all familiar with fche name True

Blue School , so-called because its boys wear long blue coats or gowns . Then , too , there were the Blue Gownsmen , the order of paupers in Scotland who were privileged to ask alms through the realm and who wore cloaks of coarse blue cloth . The Scotch themselves were called Blue Caps or Blue Bonnets . Scott wrote :

" England shall many a day Tell of the bloody fray , When the blue bonnets came over tbe border . " Many of us have suffered from the attacks of melancholy termed the

" blues , " but we have not all realised that this lowness of spirit is so termed because indigo dyers are specially prone to melancholy . Peracelsus has also stated that blue is injurious to health and spirits , but the " blue glass " theory of a few years since was in opposition of this idea .

The term Blue Nose is a familiar name for one born in Nova Scotia . Haliburton gives this verson of its origin : "' Pray , sir , ' said one of my fellow passengers , ' can you tell me the reason why the Nova Scotians are called Blue Noses 1 ' ' Ifc is the name of a potato , ' said I , ' which they produce in the greatest perfection and boast to be the best in the world . The Americans have in consequence given them the nickname of Blue Noses . ' "

But the colour blue touches also the home life and is closely linked with memories dear to every human heart . In the games and songs of childhood blue is everywhere made prominent , and as she looked into the soft depths . of baby eyes many a mother has sung :

" . Where did you get your eyes of blue ? " " Out of the heavens as I came through . " Of course it is doggerel , but it clings to the mature mind wifch a tenacity worthy better things . " The rose is red , the violet ' s blue ,

Pinks are pretty and so are you . " So ifc is Little Boy Blue and his doings are remembered , though the years are many since fche rhyme was first heard and loved . There are many reasons why we should like and honour this colour which figures so largely both in history and romance , bufc none is more potent than that given by a

little girl who , •when asked to state her reasons for a decided preference for blue , said , " My mother likes it best , so of course I do . " This may not be logic , but it is love , and it is because of this associated life , that we care for symbols and- emblems . So it is we look beyond the blue for the

immortality we seek , so it is that we glean from Masonry , from religion , from art , from nature , from literature , and from the home , the best in material and tangible form to suggest the inner meanings which only the heart can reveal , and which belong fco humanity in its related life . — G . H . R . in " Freemasons Repository . "

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