Episode 71. 18:53 Working Tools Series – Why Blue?

“One of the mysteries of Masonry is the term we have for our lodges. They are called ‘blue’ lodges – but why?” 

On this episode, we revisit the incomparable writings of John L. Cooper, III.

“The source of the symbolism has been forgotten, but not the continuing meaning behind it. Our blue lodges are still places where we learn the importance of constraining our passions, and practicing a respect for the religious and political opinions of others.” 

Suggested reading: "The Questing Mind is a Salient Characteristic of a Freemason," a collection of writings by John L. Cooper, III (Past Grand Master, California). 

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Today we are revisiting our 1853working tool series.

(00:05):
These episodes are intentionallyshorter, not exceeding 18
minutes and 53 seconds, Whileideally providing some
education, perhaps inspirationand the opportunity for all of
us to reflect upon our richhistory.
We really appreciate youchecking out this podcast,

(00:27):
emailing all the suggestionswe've received, and helping
spread the cement of brotherlylove and authentic friendship.
Let's revisit the incomparablewritings of John L.
Cooper iii, past Grand Master inCalifornia.
Why blue?

(00:48):
One of the mysteries of masonryis the term we have for our
lodges.
They are called blue lodges, butwhy?
It seems this question should beeasily answered, but that's not
the case.
Standard Masonic encyclopediasand dictionaries will yield a
variety of fancifulexplanations, many of which are

(01:10):
more speculation than fact.
however, Masonic references fromthe early 18th century include
the use of the color blue andone such reference in Samuel
Pritchards masonry dissected.
That's from 1730.
that may in fact be the sourceof the use of blue for our

(01:31):
lodges today.
Here is the story.
In the 18th century, Freemasonswere fond of developing Masonic
test questions to screenbrethren who showed up as
visitors to their lodges, theMasonic Catechisms of the period
questions and answers used toinstruct candidates in the

(01:52):
teachings of Freemasonry.
Occasionally included catchquestions.
It would only make sense tosomeone familiar with the lodge
setting.
one test question.
Concerned the quote, gold jacketand blue britches, unquote.
Pritchard reports this curiousdialogue in a question and

(02:13):
answer.
Have you seen your master today?
Yes.
How was he clothed In a yellowjacket and blue pair of
britches.
the author points out the yellowjacket is the compasses and the
blue britches or pants.
The steel points.

(02:35):
On a side note, the termbritches is defined as knee
length trousers, often havingornamental buckles or elaborate
decoration add or near thebottoms.
Commonly worn by men and boys inthe 17th, 18th, and early 19th
centuries.
Today, the compass or compasses,as it was spelled in the 18th

(02:56):
century, is usually madeentirely of silver or gold.
But originally the body of thecompass was brass, hence the
color yellow and the points weretempered steel.
Hence the color blue.
The test question would clearlybe understood by anyone who

(03:16):
attended lodge and saw thesquare in Compass.
Resting on the volume of thesacred law, we know that this
symbolism was extended to theactual clothing worn by the
master of a lodge on at leastone instance.
On St.
John's Day in June, 1725, theEarl of Ross was installed as

(03:38):
grandma of the Grand Lodge ofIreland and was escorted to the
place of installation by sixlodges.
the master of one of theselodges, is reported to have worn
a yellow jacket and bluebritches, unquote.
This may have been a whimsicalreference to the dialogue later
reported in Mason re dissectedbetween those who were quote in

(04:03):
the know unquote regarding whythe master was so dressed.
In the lecture of the enterapprentice degree, there is a
reference to the Holy Bible andSquare and Compass.
It may be an echo of this 18thcentury esoteric symbolism now
largely lost to us.

(04:23):
We learn the following.
The Holy Bible is dedicated toGod, it being his inestimable
gift to man as the rule andguide of his faith, the square
to the master because it is theproper Masonic emblem of his
office.
The compass to the craft, or bydue attention to its use, we are

(04:48):
taught to circumscribe ourdesires and keep our passions
within bounds toward allmankind.
This passage assigns the meaningof the compass to freemasonry
itself and explains its purpose.
As the compass is used to drawcircles, so Freemason reteaches

(05:10):
its members to draw a boundaryaround their conduct so that
they do not trespass on theperson or feelings of another
through unwarranted intrusion oftheir own particular sectarian
beliefs on social, political,and religious matters, The
compass becomes a symbol ofrestraint upon our own

(05:31):
passionate beliefs and aconcomitant respect for the
opinions and beliefs of others.
It is thought by some that theassociation of the blue of the
points of the compass wastransferred to Freemasonry as a
whole, and especially to thefoundational degrees of free
masonry.
The three degrees of ancientcraft masonry, the entered

(05:54):
apprentice.
Fellow craft and master masondegrees We long after our
ancestors developed thisassociation, we forgot its
origin and why we now call ourlodges blue lodges.
But this designation may wellhark back to the old test
question based on a symbolismnow lost the steel points of the

(06:18):
compass in the 18th century.
The source of the symbolism hasbeen forgotten, but not the
continuing meaning behind it.
Our blue lodges are still placeswhere we learn the importance of
constraining our passions andpracticing a respect for the
religious and political opinionsof others.

(06:41):
For the 1853 Working Toolseries, I'm Reid Endersbe.
Thanks for listening to anotherepisode of Minnesota Masonic
Histories and Mysteries.