Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Symbolical Character Of Mediæval Heraldry And Its Connection With Freemasonry.
for those colours : thus , instead of" Gules on a lend , or three Martlets argent , " ive have Mars on a bend Sol , three martlets Luna . Dame Juliana Berners , the earliest writer on Heraldry , and supposed authoress of the Book of St . Albans , enumerates Nine Colours , according to the nine precious stones— " The topaz , emerald , amethyst , pearl , and aloys—being- the five noble stones ; the ruby , sapphire , diamond , and carbuncle—being the four stones of dignity . The nine
precious stones are the symbols of the nine orders of angels—four being Hierarchies , the remaining five of inferior rank . " They also represent the nine dignities of regality—five of which , viz . " Gentleman , Squier , Knyghte , Baron , and Lorde , she states to be noble ; " and the four remaining , " Earle , Marquis , Duke , and Prynce , excellent . " Thus much for the colours used in Heraldry and their symbolical importbetween whichand the significant meaning of the same colours
, , in Freemasonry , a parallel may be easily drawn . We cannot pretend to say how far the connection between fleraldry ancl Freemasonry may be traced ; but both are systems in which symbols are essential ; ancl when we find emblems and figures adopted by both to represent the same mental or personal qualifications , and at so early a stage in our
inquiries discover in both a kindred spirit of investing certain objects with moral attributes , we can hardly doubt but that there may be some mysterious tie of union between them , ivhich has been hitherto overlooked by the most enthusiastic and the most intelligent . In proceeding to describe those bearings in Heraldry which are most evidently and significantly symbolical , in the quaint but expressive words of Dame Juliana Berners , to whom we . have before alluded" Because the Cross is the moost worthye amonge alle si
, gnys in armys , wyth the Cross I wyll begynne . " The origin and meaning of the Cross iu Heraldy must bo obvious to every one . Used from the earliest period down to these days of degenerate heraldry and debased coat-armour , at the period when it was almost universally borne , it was more particularl y appropriate . Engaged as the Crusaders were in defending the last hallowed vestiges of our Lord's stay upon earthand warring against the infidel in
pre-, venting the desecration of that Golg'otha , ivhere the blessed symbol was first raised , it is hardly to be wondered that each devoted soldier and servant of the Holy Church should eagerly embrace the significant emblem of his faith , and emblazon it upon his shield . Such was the case with Spenser's Red-Cross Kni ght : —
" A bloodie crosse he bore , The dear remembrance of his dying Lord ; For whose siveet sake that glorious badge he wore , And dead , as living , ever him ador'd —• Upon the shield the like was also scor'd ' . " * Again , the Military aud Religious Orders , such as the Templars and the Knights of Malta , adopted the Cross as emblematic of their
consecrated office ; and two of the most important , and most frequently used varieties in the form of the Cross , were introduced by these bodies . By selecting- this holy emblem , they wished to prove that they had taken up the Cross in obedience to their Saviour ' s words , " He thattaketh not
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Symbolical Character Of Mediæval Heraldry And Its Connection With Freemasonry.
for those colours : thus , instead of" Gules on a lend , or three Martlets argent , " ive have Mars on a bend Sol , three martlets Luna . Dame Juliana Berners , the earliest writer on Heraldry , and supposed authoress of the Book of St . Albans , enumerates Nine Colours , according to the nine precious stones— " The topaz , emerald , amethyst , pearl , and aloys—being- the five noble stones ; the ruby , sapphire , diamond , and carbuncle—being the four stones of dignity . The nine
precious stones are the symbols of the nine orders of angels—four being Hierarchies , the remaining five of inferior rank . " They also represent the nine dignities of regality—five of which , viz . " Gentleman , Squier , Knyghte , Baron , and Lorde , she states to be noble ; " and the four remaining , " Earle , Marquis , Duke , and Prynce , excellent . " Thus much for the colours used in Heraldry and their symbolical importbetween whichand the significant meaning of the same colours
, , in Freemasonry , a parallel may be easily drawn . We cannot pretend to say how far the connection between fleraldry ancl Freemasonry may be traced ; but both are systems in which symbols are essential ; ancl when we find emblems and figures adopted by both to represent the same mental or personal qualifications , and at so early a stage in our
inquiries discover in both a kindred spirit of investing certain objects with moral attributes , we can hardly doubt but that there may be some mysterious tie of union between them , ivhich has been hitherto overlooked by the most enthusiastic and the most intelligent . In proceeding to describe those bearings in Heraldry which are most evidently and significantly symbolical , in the quaint but expressive words of Dame Juliana Berners , to whom we . have before alluded" Because the Cross is the moost worthye amonge alle si
, gnys in armys , wyth the Cross I wyll begynne . " The origin and meaning of the Cross iu Heraldy must bo obvious to every one . Used from the earliest period down to these days of degenerate heraldry and debased coat-armour , at the period when it was almost universally borne , it was more particularl y appropriate . Engaged as the Crusaders were in defending the last hallowed vestiges of our Lord's stay upon earthand warring against the infidel in
pre-, venting the desecration of that Golg'otha , ivhere the blessed symbol was first raised , it is hardly to be wondered that each devoted soldier and servant of the Holy Church should eagerly embrace the significant emblem of his faith , and emblazon it upon his shield . Such was the case with Spenser's Red-Cross Kni ght : —
" A bloodie crosse he bore , The dear remembrance of his dying Lord ; For whose siveet sake that glorious badge he wore , And dead , as living , ever him ador'd —• Upon the shield the like was also scor'd ' . " * Again , the Military aud Religious Orders , such as the Templars and the Knights of Malta , adopted the Cross as emblematic of their
consecrated office ; and two of the most important , and most frequently used varieties in the form of the Cross , were introduced by these bodies . By selecting- this holy emblem , they wished to prove that they had taken up the Cross in obedience to their Saviour ' s words , " He thattaketh not