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Collectible Fraternal Pins
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Fraternal orders were an integral part of American culture, even before membership reached its height between 1890 and 1930, when 1 in 3 American men belonged to one. Most American fraternal orders took their inspiration from Freemasonry, also...
Fraternal orders were an integral part of American culture, even before membership reached its height between 1890 and 1930, when 1 in 3 American men belonged to one. Most American fraternal orders took their inspiration from Freemasonry, also known as the Masons, which made its way from Europe to the New England colonies in the early 18th centuries. Quickly, Freemasonry became an important vehicle for achieving political clout: The Founding Fathers of the United States were Freemasons, and they incorporated Masonic philosophy into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as the new country's iconography.
Like the Masons, fraternal orders required their members to gain esoteric knowledge derived from sources such as the Bible to the writings of ancient Greeks and Egyptians. As the members achieved knowledge and performed rituals, they moved up through the rankings of the order. After the Civil War ended 1865, American men felt nostalgic for uniforms and regimented military life, so fraternal orders offered military-like regalia and opportunities to march in military formations. Pins, like medals, for were an important part of fraternal-order regalia, and were used represent specific Lodges and to convey status within the organizations. Some fraternal pins, like lapel pins, could also be worn with everyday suits.
These pins always involved heavy symbolism, which was a significant part of fraternal culture. The symbols were rife with meaning that served as a secret language only other members could read. For example, Masonic pins often feature a golden compass and square with a "G" between, symbolizing the sacred geometry of God. The "All-Seeing Eye" is another Masonic representation of God, while a trowel stood for "cementing friendships." Some Masonic pins feature the pillars of Boaz and Jachin, two structures that appear in all Masonic Temples as a tribute to Solomon's Temple. A slipper, also from the story of Boaz in the Bible, symbolizes a man's role in protecting his family.
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine—or the high-level Masonic tier known as the Shriners—have an emblem with a scimitar standing for the Shriners’ members, two claws meaning "fraternity" and "philanthropy," a sphinx head representing the Shriners governing body, and a five-pointed star standing for the children the group helps. During Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s, Freemasons and Masonic Lodges were among the Nazis' targets. For the following decade, European Masons hid their more elaborate jewels and regalia, instead identifying one another through subtle Forget-Me-Not flower lapel pins.
Orders like the Freemasons, the International Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias often use skull-and-crossbones symbols as "memento mori" to remind their members that we will all die and should live life to its fullest. Odd Fellows symbols include three chain links ("friendship, love, and truth"), shaking hands ("friendship"), a beehive ("industry"), and the heart in hand ("sincerity in charity").
Historically, women were not allowed to join fraternal orders—eventually the largest, most popular orders created auxiliaries that allowed wives to join and participate in fraternal culture. The Masons established the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Odd Fellows launched the Rebekahs. Both had their own emblems, colors, and symbols used in pins, and the female members might also wear fashionable brooches made to represent their orders.
Continue readingFraternal orders were an integral part of American culture, even before membership reached its height between 1890 and 1930, when 1 in 3 American men belonged to one. Most American fraternal orders took their inspiration from Freemasonry, also known as the Masons, which made its way from Europe to the New England colonies in the early 18th centuries. Quickly, Freemasonry became an important vehicle for achieving political clout: The Founding Fathers of the United States were Freemasons, and they incorporated Masonic philosophy into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as the new country's iconography.
Like the Masons, fraternal orders required their members to gain esoteric knowledge derived from sources such as the Bible to the writings of ancient Greeks and Egyptians. As the members achieved knowledge and performed rituals, they moved up through the rankings of the order. After the Civil War ended 1865, American men felt nostalgic for uniforms and regimented military life, so fraternal orders offered military-like regalia and opportunities to march in military formations. Pins, like medals, for were an important part of fraternal-order regalia, and were used represent specific Lodges and to convey status within the organizations. Some fraternal pins, like lapel pins, could also be worn with everyday suits.
These pins always involved heavy symbolism, which was a significant part of fraternal culture. The symbols were rife with meaning that served as a secret language only other members could read. For example, Masonic pins often feature a golden compass and square with a "G" between, symbolizing the sacred geometry of God. The "All-Seeing Eye" is another Masonic representation of God, while a trowel stood for "cementing friendships." Some Masonic pins feature the pillars of Boaz and Jachin, two structures that appear in all Masonic Temples as a tribute to Solomon's Temple. A slipper, also from the story of Boaz in the Bible,...
Fraternal orders were an integral part of American culture, even before membership reached its height between 1890 and 1930, when 1 in 3 American men belonged to one. Most American fraternal orders took their inspiration from Freemasonry, also known as the Masons, which made its way from Europe to the New England colonies in the early 18th centuries. Quickly, Freemasonry became an important vehicle for achieving political clout: The Founding Fathers of the United States were Freemasons, and they incorporated Masonic philosophy into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as well as the new country's iconography.
Like the Masons, fraternal orders required their members to gain esoteric knowledge derived from sources such as the Bible to the writings of ancient Greeks and Egyptians. As the members achieved knowledge and performed rituals, they moved up through the rankings of the order. After the Civil War ended 1865, American men felt nostalgic for uniforms and regimented military life, so fraternal orders offered military-like regalia and opportunities to march in military formations. Pins, like medals, for were an important part of fraternal-order regalia, and were used represent specific Lodges and to convey status within the organizations. Some fraternal pins, like lapel pins, could also be worn with everyday suits.
These pins always involved heavy symbolism, which was a significant part of fraternal culture. The symbols were rife with meaning that served as a secret language only other members could read. For example, Masonic pins often feature a golden compass and square with a "G" between, symbolizing the sacred geometry of God. The "All-Seeing Eye" is another Masonic representation of God, while a trowel stood for "cementing friendships." Some Masonic pins feature the pillars of Boaz and Jachin, two structures that appear in all Masonic Temples as a tribute to Solomon's Temple. A slipper, also from the story of Boaz in the Bible, symbolizes a man's role in protecting his family.
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine—or the high-level Masonic tier known as the Shriners—have an emblem with a scimitar standing for the Shriners’ members, two claws meaning "fraternity" and "philanthropy," a sphinx head representing the Shriners governing body, and a five-pointed star standing for the children the group helps. During Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s, Freemasons and Masonic Lodges were among the Nazis' targets. For the following decade, European Masons hid their more elaborate jewels and regalia, instead identifying one another through subtle Forget-Me-Not flower lapel pins.
Orders like the Freemasons, the International Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias often use skull-and-crossbones symbols as "memento mori" to remind their members that we will all die and should live life to its fullest. Odd Fellows symbols include three chain links ("friendship, love, and truth"), shaking hands ("friendship"), a beehive ("industry"), and the heart in hand ("sincerity in charity").
Historically, women were not allowed to join fraternal orders—eventually the largest, most popular orders created auxiliaries that allowed wives to join and participate in fraternal culture. The Masons established the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Odd Fellows launched the Rebekahs. Both had their own emblems, colors, and symbols used in pins, and the female members might also wear fashionable brooches made to represent their orders.
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