Ill. Bros. Ridge Gilmour, PGM, Jeff Chretien, PGM, and Kelly Hansel model the Freemason’s Universal Tartan as kilts. (Photo by William Hall, 32°
In 2004 the Grand Lodge of Utah sponsored the design and production of a tartan fabric that would represent Freemasonry in Utah as well as elsewhere. Scottish tartan plaids have been used for centuries by Scottish clans as a means of identifying and unifying families across that country. This tartan was designed with the family of Freemasonry in mind.
Anne Carroll Gilmour, an internationally known weaver specializing in traditional Scottish Tartan weaving, designed the pattern and submitted it to the Scottish Tartans Authority in Perthshire, Scotland, for registration. The pattern was deemed unique, and a Registration Certificate issued. A mill in Forfar, Scotland, was then commissioned to weave the cloth in bulk.
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| Above: A bolt of the Freemason’s Universal Tartan. Below: Weaver Anne Gilmour, wife of Ill. Ridge Gilmour, PGM, at her loom weaving the Freemason’s Universal Tartan. She made this demonstration at the 2005 Salt Lake City Living Traditions Festival. |
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The colors in the cloth were carefully chosen to represent the various Masonic family organizations including but not limited to the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners, Job’s Daughters, DeMolay, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, and more.
The main field of blue in a prominent pivotal position represents the dome of the universe as in Blue Lodge Masonry. The dominance of royal purple in the opposite pivotal field represents Scottish Rite Masonry, York Rite Masonry, Job’s Daughters, and many other Masonic organizations. The prominent red cross carries with it much symbolism used throughout Masonry. You will also see represented the colors of the five points of the Eastern Star, red, white, blue, green, and gold/yellow, as well as related colors connected with the Social Order of the Beauceant, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Daughter’s of the Nile, and many others.
The sale of this tartan and manufactured articles is sponsored by Wildwest Woolies for the Grand Lodge of Utah. Profits will be donated directly to the Grand Lodge of Utah. For information on fabric and wearable items made from the cloth (ties, bow ties, scarves, sashes, cummerbunds, etc.), contact the Grand Lodge of Utah at www.utahgrandlodge.org or 801-363-2936.
