The Masonic saltire is not a simple accessory. It indicates a precise function within the lodge, sometimes a rank, and responds to uses defined by each rite. The right saltire is above all a saltire that conforms to the practice of the lodge in which it will be worn. This collection brings together sautoirs corresponding to the main Masonic traditions practiced in France and abroad. Whether you're looking to equip a blue lodge officer or find a model suited to a particular degree, the references proposed here meet clearly established uses.
Sautoirs maçonniques
Les sautoirs maçonniques occupent une place essentielle dans l'ordonnancement de la tenue, car ils permettent d'identifier avec clarté la fonction exercée ou le cadre rituel dans lequel ils sont portés. Choisir un sautoir adapté, c'est donc avant tout veiller à la cohérence de l'ensemble, au respect des usages de la loge et à la qualité des finitions. À travers cette collection, Nos Colonnes propose des sautoirs maçonniques pensés pour répondre aux besoins des principaux rites et offices, avec des modèles soignés, lisibles et adaptés à une pratique sérieuse.
Sautoir par fonction d'Officier (REAA)
| Officier | Bijou pendant au sautoir | Symbolisme principal |
|---|---|---|
| Vénérable Maître | Équerre | Direction de la loge |
| Premier Surveillant | Niveau | Égalité (instrument horizontal) |
| Second Surveillant | Perpendiculaire (fil à plomb) | Droiture (instrument vertical) |
| Orateur | Livre ouvert | Loi maçonnique, gardien des traditions |
| Secrétaire | Plumes croisées | Mémoire de la loge |
| Trésorier | Clés croisées | Gestion des biens de la loge |
| Maître des Cérémonies | Bâton (ou canne) | Conduite des travaux et décorum |
Note : les bijoux et couleurs varient selon le rite (REAA, Rite Français, Rite Écossais Rectifié, Rite d'Émulation) et selon l'obédience (GLNF, GLDF, GODF, GLFF, Droit Humain). Toujours commander conformément aux usages de la loge concernée. Le glaive est traditionnellement l'attribut du Couvreur (épée flamboyante) ou de l'Expert.
Questions fréquentes sur les sautoirs maçonniques
Qui porte un sautoir en loge ?
Les Officiers en exercice : Vénérable Maître, Surveillants, Orateur, Secrétaire, Trésorier, Maître des Cérémonies, Hospitalier, Couvreur, Expert. Les Frères des hauts grades portent également un sautoir spécifique à leur degré.
Quelle est la différence entre un sautoir et un cordon ?
Le sautoir est un cordon large (souvent en moire ou velours) auquel pend un bijou de fonction d'Officier. Le cordon est plus étroit, marquant un grade ou un rite, sans bijou pendant nécessairement.
Le sautoir change-t-il selon le rite ?
Oui. La forme, la couleur et le bijou pendant varient selon le rite (REAA, Rite Français, Rite Écossais Rectifié, Rite d'Émulation) et selon l'obédience. Il est essentiel de commander le sautoir conforme à sa loge.
Doit-on personnaliser son sautoir ?
Le sautoir est un attribut de fonction, transmis lors de la passation. Il n'est généralement pas personnalisé, sauf option spécifique de la loge. Le bijou pendant peut être gravé.
Quel matériau choisir : moire, velours ou satin ?
La moire est le matériau traditionnel le plus répandu pour les sautoirs d'Officiers. Le velours est utilisé pour certains hauts grades ou rites particuliers. Le satin est moins courant mais peut être proposé pour les loges chaudes ou de voyage.
The masonic saltire: above all a functional decoration
In Masonic dress, the saltire is not an ornament. It identifies the wearer: his function, his place in the workshop, sometimes his rank. A Venerable Master, an Orator, an Expert or a Rosicrucian Knight don't wear the same saltire, and this distinction is based on precise practices. That's why the choice is so important, and why you should refer to it before ordering.
The saltire is worn around the neck and falls to a point on the chest, receiving a jewel whose emblem varies according to the office held or rank. This distinguishes it from a cordon or baudrier, worn across the body for other purposes. For the latter, our masonic cord and harness collection dedicated to them.
How to choose your masonic necklace?
Start with your rite
This is the first and most decisive criterion. A necklace from the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the French Groussier Rite or the Memphis-Misraïm Rite does not respond to the same customs or codes. The safest thing to do is refer to what is actually worn in your workshop, or ask for confirmation before ordering.
Identify your function or grade
Each office has its own jewel, and therefore its own saltire. In the blue lodge, as in the higher ranks, the emblems vary according to function or grade. It is therefore necessary to identify precisely the office or degree concerned before choosing a model.
Choose the right finish level
A sautoir intended for regular use must be solid and well-executed. Certain occasions may warrant a more meticulous finish, but this is a matter of personal choice. What's essential is the model's conformity, not its level of finery.
Make sure your outfit is consistent
A sautoir is never worn alone. It is part of an ensemble that includes the apronthe gloves and the jewelry function. What's essential is consistency with the rite practiced: forms, emblems and uses must correspond to those of the workshop, rather than to aesthetic considerations.
Our masonic necklaces by rite
REAA
Visit Ancient and Accepted Scottish RiteThe blue lodge officers' saltires are turquoise blue edged in red, with a jewel of office suspended at the tip. The emblems vary according to the office held: square for the Worshipful Master, level for the Overseers, sword for the Tailor, crossed feathers for the Secretary, crossed keys for the Treasurer.
For the higher grades, the colors and compositions evolve according to the degree: the Rosicrucian (18th degree) is characterized by red decorations, the Kadosh (30th degree) by black and white compositions, and the dignitaries of the 33rd degree wear richly ornamented white saltires.
Rite Français Groussier (RFG)
Visit Rite Français GroussierThe officers' saltires are made of turquoise-blue ribbon, with a functional jewel suspended at the tip. The emblems and embroidery are similar to those of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
Rite Français Traditionnel (RFT) / Rite Français Moderne Rétabli (RFMR)
Visit Rite Français Traditionnel or Rite Moderne RétabliThe officers' saltire is made of sky-blue ribbon, with a functional jewel suspended at the tip. The Venerable Master's saltire is sometimes embroidered with a red Flaming Star, with the letter G in the center. Jewelry may be identical to that of the Rite Écossais Ancien Accepté or the Rite Français Groussier, but may also follow the models of the 1801 codification.
The Orders of Wisdom, which extend the French Rite beyond the Blue Lodge, introduce decorations, colors and symbols specific to their grades.
Rectified Scottish Regime (RER)
Visit RER The blue lodge saltires are made of sky-blue ribbon, with functional jewelry similar to that of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, but with a few differences specific to the rite.
In Saint-André's Scottish Master lodges, the saltires are green edged with red, and bear specific jewels.
The Inner Order uses red decorations, also associated with jewels specific to its functions and structure.
Memphis-Misraim
In the rites of Memphis-MisraimOfficer's necklaces are usually made of turquoise-blue ribbon edged in violet, although some obediences use violet directly. Function jewelry is identical to that of the Rite Écossais Ancien Accepté or the Rite Français Groussier.
Most high grades follow the REAA structure up to the 33rd degree, with variations for grades above that. In some obediences, all high grades are shown in purple.
Dignitaries of obediences (GLDF, GLNF, GODF, GLFF, DH)
The saltires of obedience dignitaries are not a matter of lodge custom, but a function exercised at the level of the obedience structure. They correspond to offices such as deputy, councillor or grand officer, and obey codes specific to each obedience. Their appearance and colors vary from one organization to another, and do not depend directly on the rite practiced in the lodge.
Why choose Nos Colonnes?
Our Columns is dedicated to Masonic decorationsWe pay particular attention to the conformity of the models we offer. Each sautoir corresponds to an identifiable use: rite, function, degree. These are not generic products, but decorations designed according to actual practices.
The collection covers the main rites practiced in France and abroad, with references for the different offices and a wide variety of degrees. All our long necklaces can be customized, especially for complete workshop equipment.
To find out more about the history and symbolism of the masonic saltire, a dedicated article is available as a useful complement to the product data sheets.
