Masonic Collars
Masonic collars play an essential role in the arrangement of the meeting, as they allow for the clear identification of the office held or the ritual context in which they are worn. Choosing a suitable collar therefore means, above all, ensuring the coherence of the regalia, respect for the Lodge's customs, and the quality of the finishings. Through this collection, Nos Colonnes offers Masonic collars designed to meet the needs of the main rites and offices, with meticulous, clear models suited to serious practice.
Collars by Officer Function (AASR)
| Officer | Jewel suspended from the collar | Main symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Worshipful Master | Square | Leadership of the Lodge |
| Senior Warden | Level | Equality (horizontal instrument) |
| Junior Warden | Plumb (plumb line) | Uprightness (vertical instrument) |
| Orator | Open book | Masonic law, guardian of traditions |
| Secretary | Crossed quills | Memory of the Lodge |
| Treasurer | Crossed keys | Management of the Lodge's assets |
| Director of Ceremonies | Staff (or wand) | Guidance of the work and decorum |
Note: jewels and colours vary according to the rite (AASR, French Rite, Rectified Scottish Rite, Emulation Working) and the obedience (GLNF, GLDF, GODF, GLFF, Le Droit Humain). Always order in accordance with the customs of the Lodge concerned. The sword is traditionally the attribute of the Inner Guard (flaming sword) or the Expert.
Frequently asked questions about Masonic collars
Who wears a collar in the Lodge?
Active Officers: Worshipful Master, Wardens, Orator, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Ceremonies, Almoner, Inner Guard, Expert. Higher degree Brothers also wear a collar specific to their degree.
What is the difference between a collar and a sash?
The collar is a wide sash (often in moire or velvet) from which hangs an Officer's jewel. The sash is narrower, denoting a degree or a rite, without necessarily having a hanging jewel.
Does the collar change according to the rite?
Yes. The shape, colour and suspended jewel vary depending on the rite (AASR, French Rite, Rectified Scottish Rite, Emulation Working) and the obedience. It is essential to order the collar compliant with your Lodge.
Should you personalise your collar?
The collar is an attribute of office, handed over during the installation. It is generally not personalised, unless there is a specific option from the Lodge. The suspended jewel can be engraved.
Which material to choose: moire, velvet or satin?
Moire is the most common traditional material for Officers' collars. Velvet is used for certain higher degrees or specific rites. Satin is less common but may be offered for warm or travelling Lodges.
Which jewel hangs from the Worshipful Master's collar?
It is the Square, which marks the leadership of the Lodge. The other Officers wear the Level (Senior Warden), the Plumb (Junior Warden), the open book (Orator) or the crossed keys (Treasurer), which can be found in our Lodge jewels.
Is the collar worn with the apron?
Yes, the collar completes the Officer's regalia without replacing the apron, worn at all degrees since initiation. The apron marks the degree, the collar the office held.
What happens to the collar at the end of the term of office?
The collar is an attribute of office: it is handed over during the installation. Some Lodges then present a jewel or a Past Master sash in tribute to the term served.
The Masonic collar: first and foremost a mark of office
In Masonic regalia, the collar is not an ornament. It identifies the wearer: their office, their place in the lodge, sometimes their degree. A Worshipful Master, an Orator, an Expert or a Knight Rose Croix do not wear the same collar, and this distinction follows precise customs. That is what makes the choice important and why it must be checked before ordering.
The collar is worn around the neck and falls to a point on the chest, carrying a jewel whose emblem varies with the office held or the degree. It thus differs from the sash or baldric, worn across the body according to other customs. For those, our Masonic sashes and baldrics collection is dedicated to them.
How to choose your Masonic collar?
Start with your rite
This is the first and most decisive criterion. A collar of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the French Rite Groussier or Memphis-Misraim does not follow the same customs or codes. The safest approach is to refer to what is actually worn in your lodge, or to ask for confirmation before ordering.
Identify your office or degree
Each office has its jewel and therefore its collar. In Blue Lodges as in the higher degrees, emblems vary with the office held or the degree. You therefore need to identify the office or degree precisely before choosing a model.
Choose the right level of finish
A collar for regular use must be sturdy and well made. Some occasions may justify a finer finish, but that is a personal choice. What matters is that the model is correct, not how ornate it is.
Think about the consistency of your regalia
A collar is never worn alone. It is part of a set comprising the apron, the gloves and the jewel of office. What matters is consistency with the rite practised: shapes, emblems and customs must match those of the lodge, far more than aesthetic considerations.
Our Masonic collars by rite
AASR
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Blue Lodge officers' collars are turquoise blue edged in red, with a jewel of office hanging at the point. Emblems vary with the office held: square for the Worshipful Master, level for the Wardens, sword for the Tyler, crossed pens for the Secretary, crossed keys for the Treasurer.
For the higher degrees, colours and compositions change with the degree: the Rose Croix (18th degree) is characterised by red regalia, the Kadosh (30th degree) by black and white compositions, and dignitaries of the 33rd degree wear richly decorated white collars.
French Rite Groussier (RFG)
In the French Rite Groussier, officers' collars are made of turquoise blue ribbon, with a jewel of office hanging at the point. The emblems and embroidery are similar to those of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
Traditional French Rite (RFT) / Restored Modern French Rite (RFMR)
In the Traditional or Restored Modern French Rite, officers' collars are made of sky-blue ribbon, with a jewel of office hanging at the point. The Worshipful Master's collar sometimes bears an embroidered red Blazing Star with the letter G at its centre. The jewels may be identical to those of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite or the French Rite 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 regalia, colours and symbols specific to their degrees.
Rectified Scottish Rite (RSR)
In the RSR , Blue Lodge collars are made of sky-blue ribbon, with jewels of office close to those of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, with a few differences specific to the rite.
In the lodges of Scottish Master of St Andrew, collars are green edged in red and carry specific jewels.
The Inner Order uses red regalia, also with jewels specific to its offices and structure.
Memphis-Misraim
In the Memphis-Misraim rites, officers' collars are most often turquoise blue ribbon edged in purple, although some obediences use purple alone. The jewels of office are identical to those of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite or the French Rite Groussier.
The higher degrees mostly follow the structure of the AASR up to the 33rd degree, with variants specific to the degrees beyond. In some obediences, all higher degrees are worn in purple.
Obedience dignitaries (GLDF, GLNF, GODF, GLFF, DH)
Obedience dignitaries' collars do not belong to Lodge customs but to an office held at the level of the obedience. They correspond to offices such as deputy, councillor or grand officer, and follow codes specific to each obedience. Their appearance and colours vary between organisations and do not depend directly on the rite practised in Lodge.
Why choose Nos Colonnes?
Nos Colonnes is dedicated to Masonic regalia, with particular attention to the correctness of the models offered. Each collar corresponds to an identifiable use: rite, office, degree. These are not generic products but regalia designed for actual practice.
The collection covers the main rites practised in France and abroad, with items for the different offices and a wide range of degrees. All our collars can be personalised, notably to equip an entire lodge.
To learn more about the history and symbolism of the Masonic collar, a dedicated article is available and usefully complements the product pages.
