The Master's Hat - By
Why does the Master wear a Hat? How many times has this question been asked? And how few Brethren can answer the question with satisfaction? Wearing a hat in Lodge is symbolic only as all custom with regard to headgear are symbolic, and certainly no custom which has suffered so many changes and reversals as this has.
Ceremonies connected with clothing are very ancient dating at least from the era in which the first captives in tribal wars were stripped of all their clothing, partly that their captors might possess it, partly as a symbol of the complete subjugation of the slave state. Among some peoples today, stripping part of the clothing is still a sign of respect; the Tahitians uncover to the waist as a sign of reverence to a king. Worshippers in ancient Greece and Rome remove their sandals in a house of worship, as do the eastern and Mohammedan countries today.
During the days of chivalry, knights often wore full armor in public, and usually were going upon private journeys. To open the visor was a form of greeting which said, in effect: “I do not expect a sword thrust in the mouth from you.” A Knight removed his helmet before a friend as a token that he feared no blow, and always in the presence of a king, as a symbol that his life was the king’s.
It was quoted among the Romans that the hat was a sign of freedom. Formerly Masons wore them as a symbol of freedom and brotherly equality. In England and American Lodges it is now exclusively an attribute of the Master’s costume. Hats are not generally worn by Masters in England now. But there are a few exceptions to this in England today, Lodges from Bristol and Nottingham. In the Royal Sussex Lodge of Bristol the Master carries (not wears) a cocked hat into the lodge room.
That monarchs wear crowns – or hats – as a right when all others are uncovered is a symbol that kings never uncover.
All had to uncover before the king, as all had to retreat from his presence by moving backward – a custom which obtains today in ceremonial audiences in England – that none might turn his back on his Sovereign. The very bowing of the head without hat is a survival; the savage who lowered his head in the presence of authority confessed either fearlessness of an unseen blow, or his willingness to receive it from his liege lord. Not always does the removal of the hat indicate respect. Orthodox Jews remain covered in their synagogues; early Quakers wore hats in their houses of worship; women do not remove their hats in some churches. Romans prayed with covered heads.
In the old French ritual of 1787, in the third degree, each Master is required to wear a hat. The word master here has a double significance, Master of the Lodge and Master Masons. This has led to some confusion in translating the real meaning of the ritual. But in this particular instance the context is made clear by some old prints, showing French brethren in a Lodge in which all present wear hats except the candidates. It is invariable custom for Brethren in German Lodges to wear high silk hats.
In the 1895 Ahiman Rezon of Pennsylvania for a funeral service states all the Brethren must appear in black clothing, black neck tie, black hat, and white gloves. But since then there have been several changes in wearing of a hat.
While in Scottish Lodges the Master and the Scottish Masters are permitted to remain covered.
In the eighteenth century many French Lodges, all members of the Craft sat in open Lodge with covered heads. At the conclusion of the rites the Master handed the candidate his hat and said; For the future you shall be covered in a Master’s Lodge.
This very ancient usage is a sign of liberty and superiority. Among the Germans this was used as a symbol of transfer of chattels, and land property. The judge held a hat in his hands; the purchaser must receive it from him, and with it the title passed. Frequently the ceremony perfecting a sale was performed by the contracting parties thrusting their hands into a hat, and upon withdrawing them the estate changed owners.
Gothic justices wore a cap or suitable headdress when presiding over court, as emblematic of authority. The distinctive and exceptional features of Master’s headdress contains the secret symbolism of authority at the present day, while medieval Masons worked with covered heads as a sign of freedom.
Hence the most probable theory seems to be that a Master wears a hat today in imitation of the rulers of olden times who wore hat or crown while those who owed them allegiance uncovered.
But what kind of a hat shall a Master Wear? Here also is neither law nor rule except those of good taste. Fashion and custom rule all our clothing including our hats. Lodges in which the officers appear in evening clothes either swallow tails, tuxedos or dinner coats, naturally expect Masters to use Black Silk Hats. At a Lodge meeting in hot weather in informal clothes, the Master is better dressed with a straw hat than the more formal silk, Lodges in which officers wear ordinary business clothes should look with approbation on the felt or derby hat.
This article is inspired by Brother C. Clark Julius’s essay in the 1987 Miscellanea