By them sat a loving pelican
As many if not everyone who reads this knows I am a Freemason, and proud of my connection with the Fraternal Order and the various apparent bodies that I have affiliated with over the year. My attendance in a physical lodge room ebbs and flows at times bases on my other commitments. But I envious to advance my knowledge of the craft regularly by reading the scholarly works from the past and presence and maintaining in my own life the fundamental principals of the fraternity and its degrees. I find at times it almost meditative like to receive and perfect my own memory work of large lectures, which I have learned and delivered in lodge room during degrees.
One of my great fascinations within the Order is that of the regalia. It is similar to that of old historical military uniforms which are rarely seen today, in that it indicated ones affiliation within a particular branch or rank which has been bestowed on a member. The Chapter of the Rose Croix, 18th degree, known as the Knights (Prince) of the Rose Croix has what I think is the most bold and striking regalia of its day.
The history and timeline of the degree can and always will be depictured by people around the world, yet it is believed that the degree in its original form can be traced back to the crusades of 1188. The Red and white collar and apron trimmed in gold has the most regal and elegant look to them. But it is the device (medal) that hangs from the collar that is most striking and unique. A pelican, piercing its breast to feed its seven young in a nest under it, below a white cross and red rose, and all within the compasses of the craft.
The Royal Library at Brussels holds a document on Natural history which states "The pelican is very fond of his young ones, and when they are born and begin to grow, they rebel in their nest against their parent, and strike him with their wings flying about him, and beat him so much till they wound him in his eyes. Then the father strikes and kills them. And the mother is of such a nature that she comes back to the nest on the third day, and sits down upon her dead young ones, and opens her side with her bill and pours her blood over them, and so resuscitates them from death; for the young ones, by their instinct, receive the blood as soon as it comes out of the mother, and drink it." Its believed the true theory of the pelican is, that by restoring her young ones to life by her blood, she symbolizes the resurrection.
What does the symbol mean to a mason? The pelican symbolizes those philanthropist and reformer who has offered up his life for the benefit of humanity, and so teaches us never-ending munificence toward all men, especially the needy and defenseless.
This photo is of a set of very old Prince of the Rose Croix regalia, for which I am the custodian of and is interested to my care. The conducing of this degree takes place only twice a year and is very profound in its symbolism and the way it is conducted. One of my favored times to see it done is during the Easter season and to some it has many correlations with the Christian events which take place during Easter. But in all the 18th degree teaches us to practice virtue that it may produce fruit, labor to eliminate vice and purify humanity, and be tolerant of the faith and creed of others. Which is something that we all need to do a bit more of in this world, weather we are of the craft or not.
