The Lambskin Apron

VOL. 5 November, 1927 NO. 11

THE SHORT TALK BULLETIN
The Masonic Service Association of the United States

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. At least it will serve until a better reason is advanced for this peculiar custom in the Masonic burial service. 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. 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. The four sides of the square symbolized the four physical and the three sides of the flap, or triangle, symbolized the three spiritual parts of man. The apes of the triangle or point of the flap stood for the seventh part of man which was 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....

Upon presentation of the apron, a Master Mason is told that it is an emblem of innocence, and the Badge of a Mason; that it is his, to be worn upon all proper occasions throughout an honorable life.

Proper occasions for wearing the Masonic apron would include attending your Lodge while the Lodge is at labor in either of the three degrees, or during a Stated Communication. The apron could be worn during public meetings such as open installation of Lodge officers, family night, father and son nights, etc., and when a Lodge assembles to conduct Masonic burial services for a deceased Brother. Also, the apron is worn at other public meetings, such as Grand Lodge dedication of buildings, and the leveling of cornerstones.

It should be pointed out that rarely does a Master Mason wear the original lambskin apron. As a rule, each Lodge furnishes white cloth aprons to be worn by members and visitors. Cloth aprons are more easily cleaned and are less expensive to furnish, but cloth aprons should and must be kept clean and attractive because, Masonically speaking, they represent the purity and innocence of the Iamb, and remind us of "purity of heart and uprightness of conduct."

The Masonic apron, when properly worn, shall be completely visible at all times. While wearing a coat as part of your dress, whether in public meetings or within the tiled recesses of your Lodge, the Masonic apron is correctly worn outside the coat.

The Masonic apron is a natural curiosity to the non-Mason. It is often referred to by such descriptive terms as "that funny little apron" or other such terms by those who through ignorance fail to completely comprehend its true attachment to the Mason. The apron has always been associated with work. Except a man be working, he would have no need for an apron. When the Mason puts on his apron, he is signifying to the world his willingness to work at his accepted responsibility. Further, he is signifying the dedication of himself to a life of purity before God and man; because the material of the Masonic apron is lambskin it is also associated with innocence. (From the website http://www.gltexas.org/Apron.html)