The Proper Way to Wear a Masonic Ring

Brothers - as this has been a frequent topic of discussion at our lodge breakfasts, I though you might enjoy this article, written in 1936.

The proper way to wear a Masonic ring.  (The following is in response to a question posed to the Illinois Temple Topics).

 

Q.  "What is the proper way to wear a Masonic ring?  Should the points of the compasses 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 shoudl look right side up to him.  Rings are therefore worn with teh points of the compasses toward the wearer."

 

A.  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 compasses 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 adn 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 compasses 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 compasses 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 in which its symbolism is best expressed: namely, that in which, when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compasses 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 starts down, but in hanging a compasses or a square and compasses he surely would put the points of the compasses 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, p. 15.)