Banner – Ox

The Ox banner is the third principal banner and relates to the Tribe of Ephraim, that camped in the west, and therefore, like the ensign of this same tribe it bears the figure of an ox. The words of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 33 point out that the creature that was their symbol was sometimes a bull, a bullock or even a calf.

These animals, just because they represented creatures of great strength, were those that were frequently chosen for sacrifice on the great altar of the Temple at Jerusalem. It was this fact that linked the ox with the Gospel writer, St Luke, since he was the one who specially told the story of the sacrifice of Christ.

The colour associated with Ephraim was dark or bluey green and this linked up, as we learnt earlier, with a jasper. The green colour also relates to the further blessing that was associated with the sons of Joseph: ‘the choicest fruits of the sun and the finest produce of the ancient mountains’.

Banner – Man

The man banner is the second principal banner. It bears another representative emblem of the tribe of Reuben. In this case the symbol used is totally different to that of the ‘waves’, that is shown on the ensign of Reuben. This, however, is just as appropriate because it was then noted that the name Reuben meant ‘Behold a son’ and Jacob’s words in Genesis chapter 49 are similar: ‘This is my first born, my might, the first sign of my strength’. It is therefore hardly surprising that such words might suggest the figure of a man.

What can be a matter of great interest when visiting another chapter is discovering the type of man that is shown in each case. Since the words of Jacob include the following: ‘You shall not excel because you went up to my couch and defiled it’ the man on this banner is sometimes shown partially naked with but a scanty cloak, and hence sometimes it looks like John the Baptist. Other figures look like a king or prophet and this is also appropriate because, as this symbol was later used to represent St Matthew, who told the story of God becoming man amongst the Jews, it is right to see this figure as a teacher or leader.

The colour connected with this banner was flesh-coloured or pink-red and this linked up with the cornelian stone in the High Priest’s breastplate.

Banner – Tau

The triple tau which may be described as the true distinguishing mark of the Royal Arch.

The requirement of a ‘mark’ is not accidental because all those who were true Master Masons in earlier days had already passed through what we now call the Mark degrees and had been provided with their special and personal Mark. The Tau is certainly a mark of ‘perfect life’, as we are taught in this Order from the Book of Ezekiel.

Bearing in mind, however, the original association of this Order with Moses, a possible Egyptian reference is not out of place. The ‘T’ form of this Mark was exactly the same as that of the instrument known as a Nilometer, which was placed beside that great river at the time of its annual flooding. If the water reached the crossbar then irrigation was assured and the crops providing food for the whole population was again assured. The Tau has also a reference to the Cross.

The Romans made a convicted criminal carry the cross beam to the place of execution and then that beam was laid on top of the upright stake that was already fixed in the ground. The notice of the prisoner’s crime was then sometimes nailed to the back of the cross beam, thus giving the outline with which most of us are familiar.

The Tau has the true shape of the cross itself. The union of the three taus corresponds at least to the idea of the three principal’s uniting for their proper communication of the Royal Arch secrets.

Banner – Lion

The lion banner is the first of the principal banners, it displays a lion and is so placed in the Book of Numbers, chapter 2 verse 3 – 9.

The lion was the emblem of Judah, the tribe which was to produce the royal line of David and Solomon. In the Book of Numbers we also read that Judah’s companies were to be placed in the East, towards the point of the sunrise, when the Israelites made camp in the wilderness of Sinai. That, in current Masonic terms, certainly indicates a position of rule and majesty.

The colour portrayed on this first banner is crimson or blood red and this agrees with more of the words used by Jacob in Genesis chapter 49: ‘Judah will tether his donkey to a vine, washing his garments in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes’. This also fits in with the colour of the carbuncle jewel which represented Judah in the High Priest’s breast-plate. The later connection of the lion with St Mark was because the gospel bearing his name begins with the words, ‘The voice of one roaring in the wilderness’.

Banner – Eagle

The eagle banner is the fourth and last of the principal banners and as the name suggests it displays an eagle. Since this banner is representative of the tribe of Dan it may at first seem strange that this symbol is so different from that on the ensign, a horseman whose steed is attacked by a serpent. Yet there is a connection with the zodiac sign of Capricorn, an eagle with a serpent in its grasp. There is another passage in Genesis chapter 48 verse 18 where we read: ‘I look for your deliverance, 0 Lord’, and this comes at the end of the section relating to Dan.

This has been linked in the past with Moses’s words in Deuteronomy where he says: ‘The Most High shielded him and cared for him, like an eagle that alerts its nest and hovers over its young, spreading its wings to catch them and carry them on its pinions’. The link of the eagle with St John the Evangelist may relate to several themes: the good news brought to God’s brood as if by a flying angel, or to the heavenward ascension of Christ; or even, as has been said, when the eagle holds a serpent in its claws, thus signifying the conquest of good over evil.

The colour of this banner is light green, for the tribal stone as worn by the High Priest was a sapphire.

Scribe Ezra

Scribe Ezra, in the Scriptural account was the leader of the second group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem. Much of the building of the next Temple had been completed by the time he arrived so that his task was to ensure the restoration of the Law of Moses as that which was taught and followed by those attached to the Temple, whether as its servants or its attendants. That is why in our chapter lectures scribe Ezra is described as an ‘expounder of the Sacred Law’. The name means ‘help’.

Ezra was both a priest and scribe and was a leading figure in the revival of Judaism in the land of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. Ezra, a scholar and teacher, was given official sanction to teach the law, appoint magistrates, offer sacrifices, and beautify the Temple. He was the person responsible for defining both Temple worship and the canon of scripture for his time. Ezra certainly had a part in making the ‘People of the Book’. The book of Ezra describes the rebuilding of the Temple, which is reported in detail elsewhere only in the books of Haggai and Zachariah. This story is central to the Royal Arch, you may wish to consult it.There is no reliable record to be found concerning Ezra’s death, but it is assumed that he returned to Babylon where he died.

His work was especially necessary because the returned exiles had become used to speaking and writing in the Chaldee tongue and they now had to become familiar once more with the original Hebrew text of the Scriptures. It is interesting to learn that though Ezra taught the people Hebrew he wrote what was to be taught in the Chaldean alphabet.

Ezra collected the ancient Sacred Books of his people and circulated copies of the Holy Scriptures. It is tradition among the Jews that, by Ezra’s legendary achievements, the services of the Synagogues were established.

Because Ezra was a learned person who sought to instruct the people in the Holy Scriptures it is not surprising that in English chapters he still wears a surplice, the dress of a speaker or teacher in the established church of this land. The white of his clothing also relates to what was once the white veil that was reached when the three other veils ceremony ended and that divided the candidate from the Holy of Holies where the three principal’s were meant to be seated. To further represent this veil many chapters require the scribes to stand by the easternmost staves when the candidate is being obligated.

The Treasurer

The treasurer is responsible for the finances of the chapter. Annually he produces a financial summary report, which is submitted to the auditors, who are elected from within the chapter membership.

It is the responsibility of each companion to pay his subscriptions, together with any dining charges to the treasurer promptly.

The treasurer settles any debts incurred by the chapter, such as the rent for the building where meetings are held, the various levies imposed by Supreme Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter, and dining expenditure.

A treasurer requires sound judgment, for ultimately, it is on his recommendation that the level of subscriptions for members is set.

Principal Sojourner

A sojourner (Journeyman Mason) is one who arrives as a stranger with every intention of moving on in due course. The ritual relates how the three sojourners who arrived to offer their assistance with the rebuilding work proved pivotal in rediscovering the lost secrets, offering the message that those employed on the lowly tasks may attain the highest honours through zeal and industry.

Principal sojourner is an officer of the chapter but as the name suggests it originally represented someone who came from outside and requested the opportunity to ‘sojourn’, or spend days, in the company of the companions and assist them in their labours.

At one stage in the 18th century the candidates were called ‘the sojourners’ and as three candidates were required for the ceremony, as is still the case in some parts of the United States of America, the idea of three sojourners began.

At this point the obligated candidates once simply listened to a lecture but as the ceremony developed the need for three more officers became evident. In the chapters held in the Antients’ lodges there was the Excellent (or Super Excellent) Master degree that is more popularly known as the ‘Ceremony of the Veils’. In that ceremony the principal sojourner (PS) was known as the captain of the third veil. It was as one passed through that veil that the first mention of God’s true name was given. After 1834 this ceremony was discontinued in England and the form that is presently practised was established.

The role of PS is basically that of the discoverer of the secrets in the vault but it has always to be remembered that this is on done on behalf of the candidate so the old role in that position is in part restored. What might seem strange is that, as in the west of a lodge, it is the principal sojourner’s privilege to close the chapter.

An ancient link with Craft working is thus retained.

First Assistant Sojourner

The first assistant sojourners traditional task, as hinted by the principal sojourner, was to offer services as one of the Israelites returning from Babylon, to help reconstruct the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Assyrians. There was a time before 1834 when another degree was practised before the actual exaltation. The degree was conducted in three parts, each of which were separated by one of three curtains coloured blue, purple and crimson. These colours are still recalled by the colours of the robes of the three principal’s and also the colours of the Royal Arch jewel worn by those promoted to Provincial grand rank.

The first assistant sojourner was appointed to be in charge of the second or purple curtain and was known as the captain of the second veil. Within the area behind that veil candidates were reminded of the encounter between Moses and the Pharaoh who ruled Egypt, prior to the release of the Hebrews from that land. It may be noted that this Veils ceremony emphasises the idea of release from exile that is still a theme retained in our current practice.

In Scotland it is the custom for the office of first assistant sojourner to be the one who is lowered into the vault rather than the principal sojourner.

Second Assistant Sojourner

The second assistant sojourner is sometimes called the junior assistant sojourner. Mention has already been made of why there are three sojourners and of other duties which they performed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries Those tasks are still performed in Bristol where a ceremony of the veils was allowed to be reintroduced almost a century ago.

It may be of interest to learn that in West Yorkshire today there is a chapter that uses the older and much longer opening ritual that involves the questioning by the MEZ of each of the officers as to what are their several duties. The second assistant sojourner gives the answer ‘The captain of the first veil’ and the duty of that office is ‘To guard that veil and allow none to pass without giving the word and grip of that veil and to report the same to the captain of the third veil’. Thus is retained the memory of the older form of part of Royal Arch Masonry.

Such practice reminds us of the antiquity of our ceremonies and the fact that the second assistant sojourner office, like others, is not there by chance. Even the name of sojourner emphasises that whilst sojourners may first have been temporary visitors they are now necessary parts of the whole exaltation process.

Director of Ceremonies

The DC, as his title implies, has the job to direct the ceremonial aspects of our meetings. The DC’s role is to make certain that ceremonies are efficiently conducted with dignity and decorum and that all concerned are aware in advance of what they have to do.

The DC will ensure that all equipment is correctly laid out and that a suitable apron, sash and jewel are available for a candidate during an exaltation ceremony. The DC will also ensure that the correct passages of scripture readings are available for the principal’s to recite from.

The DC’s role is a vital one in any lodge. Ideally he will liaise with the principal’s and scribe Ezra to plan the calendar for the year. He will ensure in good time that all officers are able to make the meeting and arrange substitutes for those who can’t as far ahead as possible. He will oversee the janitor’s preparation of the chapter room and make sure that all items needed for the meeting are in place. For all meetings, but particularly for the installation, he will plan any necessary processions and salutations.

During the meeting he will ensure that proceedings flow and that movement round the chapter room is ‘smooth and polished’.

He will have overall responsibility for the festive board and ensure that companions know if they are proposing or responding to a toast. He will oversee training of officers at chapters of instruction even if he delegates some of the running of them to the ADC. He will involve the ADC in as much work as possible to prepare him for any occasion when he needs to deputise for him and possibly in time, to succeed him.

The Janitor

The principle of having someone to keep the meeting places of Freemasons private and safe meant that every part of the fraternity had its own officers to discharge this task. In the 18th century, whether the Royal Arch was conducted as part of the Craft practice, as with the Antients, or as a separate but attached practice of some lodge members, the person who kept the outer door was the same tyler for both. When the Royal Arch was organised separately from the Craft, and especially after 1834, a new title was given to the keeper of the outer door. He was now called the janitor.

The term was an appropriate one in Freemasonry for it derives from the same Roman God, Janus, with two faces, who gave his name to January, the month that looks back on the past year and looks forward to the new.

The Janitor guards the outside of the door to the chapter. This is an elected office, it is often carried out by a senior and experienced companion, as he is the officer who prepares the candidate for exaltation. The janitor is not necessarily a member of the chapter.

The janitor is the one who, while keeping a wary eye out for strangers and intruders is also expected to care for the new candidate as he prepares for his fresh experiences in the chapter. Having their old Craft lodge connection firmly in mind some old chapters today still have an outer janitor and an Inner one. This is not a tradition that ought to be maintained for it is hoped that the status of the scribe Nehemiah needs to be recognised as being of more significance than that of a mere doorkeeper.

Scribe Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a 5th century BC Jewish leader. Nehemiah was the leader of the third group of Jews returning to Jerusalem. In exile he had been the king’s cup-bearer, or the one who tested what he might drink before he did so. He held a position of honour in the court of the Persian King Artaxerxes and in 444 BC was appointed by the king to the governorship of Judea, with authorisation to rebuild Jerusalem.

The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the reforms made during his administration are recounted in the book that bears his name. On his return he was also, like scribe Ezra, appointed an officer of the Sanhedrin and given the role of a scribe.

The name means ‘God’s consolation’ and his task was to superintend the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem so that the Temple and people might be safe from the attacks of those who resented the attitude of the exiles’ descendants. Some of these opponents were the Samaritans and that is why there was conflict between them and the Jews for centuries afterwards.

Scribe Nehemiah was a cupbearer at the Royal palace to the Persian King, Artaxerxes. He had heard that after the building of the Temple by Zerubbabel, the people were still persecuted by their enemies and they were unable to rebuild the city walls.

Nehemiah’s first impulse always was to pray and he spent four months in prayer before making his request to the King. The King hearing of his concerns, immediately sent Nehemiah with a suitable guard and a Royal letter giving him assistance and full powers as Governor to rebuild the city walls.

Nehemiah suffered accusations of treasonous intentions against the King, who instructed the rebuilding to be stopped, but the builders, with trowel in hand and sword at their side, finished the city walls in 52 days, before the King’s command arrived.

Nehemiah, having returned to Persia to defend his good name, travelled back to Jerusalem with increased powers from the King. He erected the city gates, repaired the houses of the city and took measures to increase the number of inhabitants within the city walls, so that they could adequately defend themselves. He then completed the repairs of the Temple and devoted himself to rectifying many grave evils.

The distinction of his office is marked by the wearing of a surplice and this garb of a teacher should remove any notion of his office being the chapter equivalent of an inner guard, wherever he may be placed.

His duty is to assist the scribe Ezra and in some chapters it is further marked by our doing the veiling and unveiling of the pedestal rather than by the principal’s. In any case it is the scribe’s privilege to equip the men who are engaged for the work of clearing the new Temple’s ground and then further preparing them for their investiture. It is not a menial task but a respected office and scribe Nehemiah is the first officer of the chapter seen by any candidate as he is admitted.

First Principal

Zerubbabel is the first principal of the chapter and is in charge of the convocation, the name that we give to a meeting of a Royal Arch chapter.

The chapter is the place where those who are fully qualified Master Masons meet to learn about and share the complete or supreme knowledge of ‘The Mason’s Craft’. Three are needed to rule a chapter because originally the revelation of the great secret of construction was to principal’sknow how to form a right-angled triangle as the basis of all design and erection.

This needed three participants, each with a rod or sceptre of different dimensions, which, when joined together created the required figure. That is why the absence or loss of one ruler meant that temporarily the ‘secret was lost’. It is also why we three principal’s each still have a rod or sceptre.

Zerubbabel was a prince of Judah and governor of Jerusalem, a position to which he was appointed by Cyrus, King of Persia, when he permitted the captive Jews in Babylon to return to Judah. Born in Babylon during the period of their captivity, he was a descendant of King David and a grandson of Jehoiachin, King of Judah, at the time that the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar took them into captivity.

The name means ‘God the Father in the east’ and represents a prince or leader of the Jewish people in exile in Babylon. His sceptre bears a crown which reminds us of God’s omnipotence. He was the one given authority by Cyrus, the Persian ruler, to lead the first group of Jewish people back to Canaan and Jerusalem where the city and temple were to be rebuilt.

His task and responsibility, together with his co-principal’s, is still to appoint suitable people to the work and to reveal to them the full knowledge that we share in a chapter.

Second Principal

Haggai is the second principal appointed to rule in the chapter. He was a prophet, about whom little is known apart from his prophesy that there would be pestilence and drought because of the failure of the people to finish the rebuilding of the Temple.

Haggai declared that God was punishing them for decorating their own house before completing the house of the Lord, and urges Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest, to rally the people to their primary task.

The name, meaning ‘festive’, refers to one of the books of the Bible and represents that of a prophet. That is why the second principals sceptre carries an ‘All seeing eye’ that symbolically represents the omnipresence of the Almighty.

His role after the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon was that of scribe and he acted in that capacity in the first Sanhedrim that was set up after they settled again in Jerusalem.

The Sanhedrim was the council set up to govern the people of Israel and was composed of six persons from each of the 12 tribes. One of those representatives was the prince that presided over the Sanhedrim and another was the scribe who recorded their decisions. If a deciding vote had to be given the High Priest was brought in to do so. Thus, all those present as our principal’s were needed to conclude essential business.

Haggai is remembered mostly for his four prophecies delivered over three months to urge the people to rebuild the Temple. It has been said that these prophecies should be written down and published in some sort of religious book. Because of the prophecies he is known as the Prophet Haggai.

Third Principal

Their banner of was blue, designated by the Hind. “Naphtali is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words”. This prophecy denotes that the posterity of Naphtali should be spirited and free people, and the tribe should be fruitful and multiply. Thus from four sons which Naphtali brought with him into Egypt proceeded upwards of 50,000 descendants when they were emancipated from their captivity.

Their portion of the Holy Land was in Upper Galilee, a country always noted for the productiveness of its soil.

It means ‘to wrestle’ or ‘to struggle’ in Hebrew. This fits with Jacob’s words: “Naphtali is a doe that after struggle is set free and bears beautiful fawns”, which explains why the emblem on this standard is a lively doe or hind.

The fertility of the land that was occupied by this tribe is again emphasised by the words of Moses: “Naphtali is abounding with the favour of the Lord, is full of blessing and will inherit the territory south of the lake.”

The Latin motto ‘Cerva emissa’ means ‘A hind let loose’ or ‘Behold, a hind that gives birth’.

The tribe’s jewel was an emerald

Asher

This banner was of purple and bore a flourishing tree or a cup. Prince Pagliel unfurled the banner of Asher. Asher’s tribe is promised a tract of the Holy Land which should be fruitful, and accordingly it produced the necessaries of life in abundance. Mount Carmel abounded in the choicest fruits. It means ‘happy’ in Hebrew. From the words of Moses: “Most blessed of sons is Asher who is favoured by his brothers and is able to bathe his feet in soothing oil.” (Deuteronomy: 33).

The tribe’s happiness could also be attributed to the fertility of the territory it occupied, which produced abundant crops, including the best fruit. Jacob says: “Asher’s food will be rich: he will provide delicacies fit for a King”. (Genesis: 49). The emblem on the ensign is thus, either a flourishing tree or a golden goblet or urn.

The tree is probably meant to be an olive that gives the oil mentioned earlier, while the golden vessels are those used for storing olive oil, which has always been a symbol of fruitfulness and plenty. The Latin motto is: ‘Prebebit delicias regibus’, meaning ‘He will provide delicacies for kings’.

The tribe’s jewel is an agate.

Dan

Dan was the next largest to Judah and it was for this reason that it was placed in the rear.

It means ‘judge’ in Hebrew. This fits with what Jacob says” “Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel”. (Genesis: 49).

The emblem on the ensign is derived from Genesis: “Dan will be a serpent by the roadside and a viper along the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backwards”. (Genesis: 49). Some ensigns depict the snake biting the horse’s heel, some just the snake.

The Midrash says the emblem of Dan is a lion cub, from Moses’ words: “Dan is a lion’s cub springing out of Bashan”. Yet another variation is an eagle with a snake in its claws, but this may be due to connections made between the 12 tribes and the signs of the zodiac; in this case Capricorn, represented by a flying eagle with a snake in its talons.

Their banner was of bright green colour. The name of Dan signifies judging, and, therefore, Jacob said: “Dan shall judge the people” meaning, that tribe was to be the head of one of the great divisions in the wilderness. He said further: “Dan shall be a serpent by the way”. The Tribe of Dan was remarkable for defeating their enemies by policy rather than by force, in support of which there are many instances in the Bible.

The tribe of Dan, was, however, ringleader of idolatry and was the first apostatise from God.

Benjamin

Benjamin had a green banner, emblazoned with a wolf, because it was over a warlike and cruel tribe.

It means ‘son at the right hand’ in Hebrew.

This reflects Benjamin’s status as his grandfather Jacob’s favourite after the long absence of his father Joseph. It is also linked to the words of Moses: “Let the beloved of the Lord always rest secure in Him, for He shields him all the day long and the one whom the Lord loves rests upon his breast”. (Deuteronomy: 33). Jacob’s words: “He is as a ravenous wolf that in the morning devours its prey, and in the evening divides the plunder”, Genesis:49 refers to the warlike nature of this tribe and is why the ensign usually depicts a wolf.

The Latin motto is based on Jacob’s words: “Manus comedit praedam et vesperi dividet spolia’, meaning ‘In the morning he eats the prey and, in the evening, he divides the spoils”.

Benjamin’s jewel was a jasper.

It was predicted “Benjamin shall raven as a wolf; in the morning he shall devour his prey and at night he shall divide the spoil”. Though Benjamin was a great favourite with Jacob, being the youngest son, yet he conferred no peculiar blessing upon him. He is described as the father of a fierce and warlike people. This is evident proof that Jacob acted upon the influence of divine inspiration. The tribe accordingly had a character as predicted and made war single handed against all other tribes and overcame them in battle.

Saul, who sprang from this Tribe, also possessed great military talents. His whole life was spent in war, and at length, he, as well as his sons, was slain in battle. It was one of the smallest tribes.

Manasseh

This tribe had a flesh-coloured banner with a device of vine, planted by the side of a wall. It was predicted that the tribe Joseph should be a fruitful vine growing by a well-watered soil and shooting forth two luxurious branches, the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

It means `to cause forgetfulness’ in Hebrew. This was a reference either to Jacob apparently forgetting that Manasseh was the elder son of Joseph, or to Manasseh’s need to forget that his younger brother had been the first to receive Jacob’s blessing.

This confusion is confirmed in the Midrash, which states that the Manasseh’s emblem is a wild ox or a unicorn, though the ox had already been taken by the Tribe of Ephraim.

The emblem used in the Royal Arch is derived from Jacob’s words: “Manasseh is a fruitful vine, near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall”. (Genesis: 39). Sometimes the emblem is a palm tree, in reference to other words of Moses: “May the land of Manasseh be blessed with unripened fruit, rich with the best fruits of each season”.

The Latin motto on this ensign is ‘Ramus fecundus juxta fontem’, meaning ‘A fruitful bough close to a spring’. Manasseh’s jewel was an onyx.

The prediction was fulfilled in the pre-eminence of Joseph. It was said: “The archers sorely grieved him and shot at him and hated him”, referring to the persecution of his brethren who sold him into Egypt at the false accusation due to which he was thrown into prison. Nevertheless, his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hand were made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. As his enemies were termed archers, so he is said to be armed with a bow in his own defence, by which he triumphed over all his enemies, and rose to the highest state of worldly prosperity.

Issachar

Its colour was sky blue, and had for its device a strong ass beneath its burden. The ass is a patient animal and a proper symbol of labour.

The ass crouching beneath its burden was the opposite symbol of the indolent character of this tribe, who would prefer a submission to every species of tyranny and oppression rather than be at the trouble of asserting their material rights in the field of battle, for an ass, though a strong and hardy animal, would rather sink tamely under a heavy load than shake it off by an exertion of its bodily powers.

Issachar means ‘a man who is a reward’ or ‘a man who is rewarded’ in Hebrew. How does this fit with what Jacob says: “Issachar is a strong ass lying down between two burdens”, (Genesis: 49). which is at least the picture before us and fits one of the usual Latin mottos: ‘Intra onera accumbens’ meaning ‘Lying between burdens’?

This tribe was originally given a fertile area of the Promised Land but lost it through indolence and its preference to pay tribute to a conqueror rather than to fight for it. Though the ass is usually a sign of physical strength, here it is shown giving way, bending its back under the burden placed on it, and working as a meagrely rewarded slave.

Leah, Jacob’s wife, says: “God has given me my reward because I gave my slave to my husband”. Genesis: 30). So, she named the boy Issachar, the man who was, at least in that situation, a reward. The Latin motto that sometimes appears on this ensign is ‘Accubans inter terminos’, meaning ‘Giving way (or Giving up) between limits’. It is one of the tribes that is least referred to in the Bible. On the High Priest’s breastplate, it is represented by an amethyst jewel.

Accordingly, the posterity of Issachar sat down quietly upon the land allotted to them and cultivated it with diligence and assiduity, instead of employing themselves in war or in mercantile pursuits. They were lovers of peace and quietness.

Zebulon

This banner was purple, and bore the device of a ship, symbolic of the prophecy; ‘Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon’.

The ensign means ‘a place where one dwells’ in Hebrew, a reference to Jacob’s words: “Zebulon shall dwell by the shore of the sea and he shall be a haven for ships; and his border shall extend as far as Sidon”. (Genesis: 49).

This explains very satisfactorily why ships are displayed on this ensign. The Latin mottos add naturally to this message: ‘In litore maris habitabit’ meaning ‘He shall dwell on the shore of the sea’ or ‘Tam ipse naves portu in portum’, meaning ‘As a safe haven for ships he is himself such a harbour’. Both refer to the tribe’s coastal territory, where ships could find a safe haven that was easy to enter and leave. Moses later said of this tribe: “They will feast on the abundance of the sea and the treasures hidden in the sand”.

An alternative name for this tribe was Zabulon, which was once associated with our Royal Arch as it signified the place where God came to dwell on the Ark of the Covenant. It was later changed to ‘Jabulon’ which led to confusion.

Reuben

This banner was red, and had the Device of a man, because Reuben was the firstborn of his father, who predicted that he would be as unstable as water.

Reuben, means ‘Behold, a son’ in Hebrew. Jacob says: “Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honour and excelling in power”. (Genesis: 49).

However, later Reuben displeased his father by laying with his father’s concubine in his father’s bed, prompting Jacob to say: “Turbulent as the waters, you will not excel; because you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it”. This explains the waves depicted on the ensign and the Latin motto ‘Aquarum instar ruens’, meaning ‘Rushing like waters’.

Reuben’s conduct was unpredictable. His instability was like the overflowing waters that can break all restraints. An alternative motto is ‘Primogenitus meus’, meaning ‘My firstborn’.

His father said: “Thou shalt not excel”, and gave as his reason that, as water by a natural propensity, inherent in its substance, flows from its source in an elevated position to a lower place so should Reuben fall from his birthright and subside into an inferior situation amongst the tribes.

And the prophecy was remarkably verified, for nothing great or praiseworthy has been recorded respecting the posterity of Reuben; they were inferior in number to the other tribes; and the prominence was given to Judah.

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Simeon & Levi

This banner was yellow, and emblazoned with a sword and dagger.

It means ‘hearing’ in Hebrew. Simeon is usually linked with his brother Levi as the words of Jacob make clear: “Simeon and Levi are brothers – their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council nor join their assembly, for they killed men in their anger and at their pleasure they have hamstrung oxen”. Here Jacob is referring to the massacre of the Shechemites by the Tribes of Simeon and Levi in revenge for an attack on them.

Jacob says: “Their anger for it was fierce and their wrath which was so cruel”. It is therefore not surprising that this ensign depicts a sword or scimitar crossed with a dagger or a knife. The Jewish Midrash states that Simeon’s device was a city, meaning Shechem, and some old Royal Arch chapters still have this displayed on their ensign. The usual Latin motto is ‘Vasa iniquitatis bellantia’, meaning ‘Implements for fighting injustice’, however some ensigns have the alternative ‘Dividam et dispergam’ meaning ‘I will divide and scatter’. (Genesis: 49).

The tribe’s jewel was a topaz.

Simeon and Levi were represented by instruments of war, the former by a sword and the latter by a dagger, Alluding to the abhorrence testified by the dying patriarch to the cruelty of his two sons in the barbarous murder of the Shechemites under the assurance of kindness and good faith, their father said: “Cursed be their anger, for it was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel”.

These sons being associated in wickedness, it was ordained by a superintending providence that their posterity should be disunited; that they should not be furnished with an opportunity of working evil upon their brethren. Hence the Tribe of Simeon and Levi had little or no possessions in the Promised Land, but dwelt in the midst of Judah; some of them wandered in search of a dwelling-place as far as Mount Seir and the deserts of Gideon. As for the Tribe of Levi, it was entirely dispersed amongst the other tribes and devoted exclusively to the service of the altar.

Gad

banner of white, emblazoned with a troop of horsemen. It means ‘a troop’ or ‘a marauding band’ in Hebrew.

This fits with the words of Jacob: “A gang of raiders shall attack him, but he will pursue them at their heels”, which agrees the Jewish tradition that the Gadites succeeded in expelling the Ammonites, the Moabites and the Ephraimites who constantly raided their borders. Jephthah, who is mentioned in the second degree ceremony, belonged to this tribe, famed for its courage and success in war.

It is appropriate that the emblem representing it is a troop of horses with riders, whose pennants sometimes display a lion, for Moses said of Gad: “He lives like a lion, tearing at arm and leg”.

The Midrash describes Gad’s emblem as a camp or tent, and that emblem is uses on some chapter’s ensigns. The Latin motto ‘Ipse tandem devincit’ means ‘He at last will subdue’ though occasionally you may see ‘Cohors delebitur sed non eo’, meaning ‘The band will be destroyed, but not him’.

The jewel of this tribe is a jacinth.

Jacob foretold the difficulties to the progress of the posterity of Gad due the hostility of their neighbours but though they were doomed to be sometimes defeated, yet in the end, by Divine assistance they would overcome all difficulties and establish themselves firmly and peacefully in the position allotted to them. This prophecy was fulfilled, for the tribe occupying a country beyond Jordan, was necessarily exposed to the incursions of the Ammonites, from whom it suffered severely, but at length, through the military talents of Jophthah, the Ammonites were finally subdued and gave no more trouble.

Ephraim

This banner was green, and emblazoned with an ox.

It means ‘doubly fruitful’ in Hebrew. This is appropriate because it fits the division of the inheritance of Joseph between his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Reuben’s unruliness had led to Jacob giving Joseph his portion, meaning he had a double portion to pass on to his two sons.

The ox depicted on the ensign refers to the words of Moses: “In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox, and with them he will gore the nations even unto the ends of the earth”. (Deuteronomy: 33). Another translation reads: ‘His horns are like the horns of unicorns’ and that is why some ensigns display that creature.

The Latin motto ‘Amans triturare’, meaning ‘Fond of threshing’ probably refers to the idea of this tribe trampling like an ox upon the corn and lands of others.

Ephraim stepped into the inheritance of his father Joseph, and his tribe was elevated to a leading position. The ox, was emblematic of patience, industry and strength; thus, Jehovah said “Ephraim is the strength of mine head ”.