THE PROPER WAY TO WEAR A
MASONIC RING
The following from Temple Topics (Illinois) is now being
quoted with approval by other Masonic papers.
"What is
the proper way to wear a Masonic ring?
Should the points of the compass be toward or away from the body?
"If you
were hanging the American flag, would you put the
stars down? The same
holds true of the ring.
Usually it is a gift, and has sentimental value for the wearer.
It should look right side up to him.
Rings are therefore worn with the points of the compass toward the
wearer."
This subject is one on which Grand Lodges have made no
regulation and popular opinion is divided.
We must therefore reason from analogy.
When the emblem of the square and compasses is displayed on a building,
pennant, button, watch charm etc., universal custom requires the points
of the compass point
downward.
When displayed on the Altar they point away from the Master.
As the Master from his station views the compass from the Altar of
his lodge, the points are from, not towards him.
As
the wearer of a compass watch charm views it, the points are down
and away from his eyes. In
a similar way as he views the emblem on his ring the points should be
down or away from his eyes.
The square is the symbol of earthly, the compass of heavenly
perfection.
As a combined emblem the ends of the square point up as a symbol of
man's aspirations toward God; the points of the compass are down to
represent heavenly qualities coming down from God to earth.
Therefore it would seem that the proper way to wear a ring would be
that is which its symbolism is best expressed; namely, that in which,
when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compass
are towards the earth
and away from the wearer's eyes.
Thus it will be seen that our conclusion does not agree with
the writer in Temple Topics.
He truly says that in hanging an American flag we would not put the
stars down, but in hanging a compass or a square and compass, he surly
would put the points of the compass down.
The same rule holds when worn as a ring or button or a watch charm;
namely, they would be worn the same way with the points down.
When so worn they all serve the same purposes, and by no means the least
of these purposes is to
announce to the world the proud wearer is a Mason.
-- Iowa
Masonic Bulletin.
(Copied from THE MONTANA MASON, May 1936, page 15)
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