THE LAMBSKIN APRON

17th century Masonic apron In Masonic symbolism, the Lambskin Apron holds precedence. It is the initial gift of Freemasonry to a candidate, and at the end of life's pilgrimage it is reverently placed on his mortal remains and buried with his body in the grave. Above all other symbols, the Lambskin Apron is the distinguishing badge of a Mason. It is celebrated in poetry and prose and has been the subject of much fanciful speculation. Some Masonic writers have contended that initiation is analogous to birth, or our advent from prenatal darkness into the light of human fellowship, moral truth, and spiritual faith. Much ancient lore has been adduced in an effort to show that the Lambskin Apron typifies regeneration, or a new life, and this thought of resurrection may be the cause of its interment with the body of a deceased brother.

The association of the lamb with redemption and being born again is expressed by John, the Apocalyptic Seer, who had a vision on the Isle of Patmos, and beheld the purified and redeemed "of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues." Of them it was said, "These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." By many it has been regarded as a great religious symbol.

masonic apron In our present conception there are three parts of man-- body, soul and spirit. What the body is to the soul, the soul is to the spirit, namely, a house or habitation; but in oriental thought there were seven parts of man, four earthly and three heavenly, four physical and three spiritual. This is the symbolism of the shape of the apron: The four sides of the square symbolize the four physical and the three sides of the flap, or triangle, symbolize the three spiritual parts of man. The apex of the triangle or point of the flap stands for the seventh part of man, which is called Atma and which means the eternal spark, the divine flame, the indestructible spirit of the living God in every human being. In this aspect it means that God is not a looker on at the life of anyone; God is under every man, God is part of every man.

In Masonry there are three great religious rites. One rite is that of investiture or purification; that is, the presentation of the Apron. In a qualified way it bears the relationship to the lodge that baptism does to some churches; it is the external symbol of an inner purification. The Psalmist asked: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?" and answering his own question said, "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." The Apron, when correctly understood, is the pledge of a clean life, the testimony that a candidate means to live pure, speak true, right wrong, and reverence conscience as king. As a badge of honor, the Lambskin Apron spells out integrity, honesty of purpose, probity of character, and soundness of moral principle.

The above was condensed from: "THE SHORT TALK BULLETIN" The Masonic Service Association of the United States Vol. 5 November 1927 No. 11

Masonic Apron with symbols

^{Masonic aprons are frequently
decorated with curious and
impressive figures. The apron
shown above contains a wealth of
symbolism: the beehive,
emblematic of the Masonic lodge
itself; the trowel, the mallet,
and the trestle board; the rough
and trued ashlars; the pyramids
and hills of Lebanon; the
pillars, the Temple, and the
checkerboard floor; and the
blazing star and tools of the
Craft. The center of the apron
is occupied by the compass and
square, representative of the
macrocosm and the microcosm, and
the alternately black and white
serpent of astral light. Below
is an acacia branch with seven
sprigs, signifying the life
centers of the superior and the
inferior man. The skull and
crossbones are a continual
reminder that the spiritual
nature attains liberation only
after the philosophical death of
man's sensuous personality.}

The Lamb Skin

It is not ornamental, the cost is not great,
There are other things far more useful, yet truly I state,
That of all my possesions, 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 around, and so much time was spent
On shaving and dressing and looking just right,
Until Mother would say: "It's the Masons tonight."

And some winter nights she said: "What makes you go,
Way up there tonight thru the sleet and the snow,
You see the same things every month of the year."
Then Dad would reply: "Yes, I know it, my dear."

Forty years I have seen the same things, it is true.
And though 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 alter, 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 tho surrounded by gold.

I learned that true brotherhood flourishes there,
That enmities fade 'neath the compass and square,
That wealth and position are all 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 all take our place in that Lodge up above.

Composed by
Edgar A. Guest