The Napron

 

When you arose from the altar as a newly initiated Entered Apprentice, the Senior Deacon instructed you to salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and then he turned you to the East and said, "You now behold the Worshipful Master approaching you from the East a second time."

With that, the Worshipful Master presented you with your first Masonic gift, something you would, in one form or another, carry with you through your Masonic journey, even through the remainder of your life and into eternity. It is your Masonic Apron.

The apron, with a few exceptions is an ever-present item, your constant companion in the Masonic degrees. In the first three degrees you are taught to wear it as an Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason, and are given the purpose for such and any accompanying symbolism.

In subsequent degrees, most have their own apron in varying colors and even different shapes, most bearing designs representing the symbolism of the degree. In the Blue Lodge, officers' aprons carry the design or insignia of each office. Those who have served in the East will usually wear a Past Master's apron showing the compasses above a quadrant with the sun in the center.

The Chapter or Royal Arch apron is red-bordered on a white background and displays a Triple Tau bordered by a triangle and a circle. The York Rite Council usually wears an apron bordered in royal purple with a triangle enclosing a trowel and sword. Likewise, most of the Scottish Rite degrees have aprons in a range of colors with symbols representing the content of the degrees.

Masons generally are familiar with all of this but may not realize it was not originally called an apron. The word derives from an old French word, "naperon," a similar sounding word preceded by the letter "n," a term stone guild members would have used. As the word crept into English and became napron, a quirk of the English language caused the dropping of the first letter. In English, nouns beginning with a vowel are preceded by the indefinite article "an" and those beginning with consonants are preceded by the word "a." The slurring of the phrase a napron was heard as "an apron" and the "n" was quickly dropped. The English word "napkin" also derives from napron but has retained the "n."

Whatever your thoughts on the "napron" and all its accompanying symbolism in all the degrees, perhaps the best and simplest way to characterize it is the very first thing you heard about it when you were presented with your very own white leathern apron: "It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Freemason, more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter or any other order that could be conferred upon you at this or any future period by king, prince, potentate, or any other person, except he be a Freemason. I hope you indeed wear yours with pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity.