Twenty-Third Degree, Chief Of The Tabernacle

Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross
PO Box 70, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044–0070

Original oil painting by Robert H. White, 32°
Colors associated with the Tabernacle dominate in this Degree. The apron is white, lined with crimson, and bordered with red, blue, and purple ribbons. The color symbolism is slightly different than in the other Degrees. The meanings are taken from the writing of Flavius Josephus. White symbolizes the earth, from which the flax for linen grows. Following the obvious color symbolism, red symbolizes fire and blue symbolizes the sky. Here, purple symbolizes the sea, since the color purple originally was obtained from a dye extracted from the shell of a mollusk. To these symbols, we add the more traditional Scottish Rite meanings. Thus white symbolizes the earth but also the Beneficence of God, Who made the earth. Red represents fire and zeal, but also the Glory of the Deity. Blue symbolizes the sky and the infinite heavens, but also the Wisdom of God. Purple represents the sea, but also the Power of God.

Thus, in the colors of the apron we find symbolized the physical world in the form of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water. But we also find symbolized the Attributes of Deity—Beneficence, Glory, Wisdom, and Power.

In the center of the apron is embroidered the golden seven-branched candelabrum. The seven lights hold for us the same symbolism they did for the ancients: the seven planets—Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It also represents seven manifestations of God (and thus seven Sephiroth): Justice, Mercy, Beauty, Glory, Victory, Dominion, and Kingdom. Thus, again, the physical world is symbolized by the planets, and the spiritual world is symbolized by the attributes of Deity.

A red leather belt is worn over the apron. The bottom edge of the belt is fringed in gold. From the belt hangs the jewel of the Degree, a censer (burner for incense) in silver. Its shape is that of a hand holding a bowl. The silver of the censer and the gold of the belt's fringe and the candelabrum give us the symbolism of the sun and moon, or male and female, again reinforcing the idea of completeness and totality already symbolized by the presence of the physical and spiritual words in the rest of the regalia. It reminds us of our duty to God and the need to offer up the acceptable sacrifices of good deeds and acts.

This Degree begins the exploration of the ancient mysteries. The Candidate here represents a young Levite, presenting himself for initiation into the first mysteries of the Hebrew priesthood. The mysteries represented a series of increasing purifications of the body and spirit, and an increasing awareness of one's own spiritual identity. It was not a single event but a process, not an act but a journey. The goal was self-discovery. It still is.

  Jim Tresner
is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of the Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for the Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. In 1997, Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor. His latest book is Vested in Glory, The Regalia of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. 

Scottish Rite Regalia Photos And Prints

Illustrations of the Scottish Rite regalia paintings by Brother Robert H. White, 32°, (Twenty-third Degree, Chief of the Tabernacle, painting pictured above) are available in two formats:

(1) individual 8" x 12" or 11" x 14" color photographs and
(2) grouped photos in a color 22" x 33" poster.

To order individual photographs, please contact Brother Bruce A. Dehlin, K.D. Enterprises, 10114 Farmington Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030–2049. Credit cards accepted. Tel. (703) 591–5318; Fax: (703) 591–6026; e-mail: dehlinb@cais.net

To order color posters picturing all the regalia paintings, Fourth through Thirty-third Degrees, including the K.C.C.H. and Grand Cross, use VISA or MasterCard or send a check (domestic only) for $20.00 payable to The Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., USA to: Grand Executive Director's Office, 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103