The Palm as an emblem (Part 3)

After having addressed the palm as an emblem in two other portions of this essay, we will now turn to the unique and peculiar Masonic perspective, beginning with Brother Rob Morris, the second “Poet Laureate of Freemasonry,” and creator of the Order of the Eastern Star. Bro. Morris writes that the island of Patmos was formerly known as Palmosa, due to the numerous palm trees located on it. Bro. Morris references St. John the Evangelist’s exile on the island of Patmos in his Freemasonry in the Holy Land , stating that upon his visit that there was only one palm tree still remaining. ¹

Brother Rob Morris, in another instance addresses the emblem of the palm tree during his research in the years before the creation of the “Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell,” circa 1863. A picture of a Warrant issued for this Order follows below. Additional information may be found online at the references listed at the end of this essay.²

There are additional references including the palm tree as an emblem, contained within a degree related to a Knight of the Palm Tree, as contained in a publication by C.C. Adams in his Masonic Notes: A Publication to Encourage and Facilitate Intercommunication between Masonic Students in All Parts of the World, Volume II, 1919-1920.³ In this publication, available online, it is referenced that a Warrant, dated “…about 1876…” for the purpose for this Order was viewed, and that said warrant , “…is very simple in design, the only decoration being a palm tree.” ⁴

The Grand College of Rites of the U.S.A. has a copyright (2018) of the ceremonies and lectures as collected by Rev. Henry R. Coleman, (1879), Supreme Chancellor of the Order in a publication known as, The Pilgrim Knight: A Guide to the Ceremonies and Lectures of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell. A picture from this publication is contained below.

Of interest, the issue of a man being considered “upright” in the sense of this particular Masonic order is addressed as such in this book, “The title of a member of this Order, ‘The Righteous Knight’ is not used in the sense of ‘holy,’ but ‘upright’ in allusion to the uprightness of the palm tree.” ⁵

As noted in an earlier portion there appears to be developed pattern of comparative use of the emblem of the palm tree and the sense of man being “upright.” In addition, the quote cited above was contained in the 1879 book, which also references a prior edition, “In the first issue of the present work, published in 1873, under the name of, “Tamar, a Guide Book to the Masonic Order of the Knights of the Palm Tree…”

Definitely an interesting name for the book itself-Tamar. From the book, “And there is yet a fourth aim before us, which is Divine. It is to exhort each other to honor God and the Masonic Brotherhood by a virtuous and fruitful life. As a type of this, let us consider the palm tree—fragrant, aspiring, a shade in a weary land—a tree that abounds in fruit-bearing, even to the extreme age of seventy years. We will consider this lesson, which the God of nature and revelation has given us through the inanimate tree.” (Page 18)

In another passage, “The Covenant of the Palm Tree…reminds us that in the Oriental desert the only protection from the intolerable heat of the sun is the Palm Tree. When the Pilgrim, fainting and exhausted upon his journey sees the Palm Tree from afar off…the Palm Tree is the best emblem of a just and upright Mason, so we, in the time of affliction and distress may hasten to such a Mason and in his sympathy find relief.” (Page 46) The following picture is contained on the following page in the book.⁶

One may observe the use of the Old English term, “upright” (upriht) used in many instances of the descriptions of men and their desired conduct in Freemasonry. “Correct, morally correct, just, good, fair, infirmity with moral law; proper, fitting, according to standard; rightful, legitimate, lawful; correct in belief, orthodox….”good, honest, adhering to rectitude…” ^{7, 8} The references to rectitude and uprightness appear throughout our beautiful degree system, and we have numerous instances of its use in our Mississippi Blue Lodge Textbook, 30th Edition; however, perhaps the most publicly identifiable Masonic emblems, other than the square and compasses, is our Masonic apron. And nothing is more beautifully explained in our ritual than the principles and beliefs as contained in the explanation of our apron, “The lambskin, therefore, was to remind you of that purity of life and conduct which is so essentially necessary to your gaining admission into the celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.” The conduct is that “…rectitude of conduct…” “…and we use it to try perpendiculars.” Perpendiculars being straight and upright in their architectural usages. In another instance, speaking of the immovable Jewels of a Lodge, “The Square teaches morality, the Level equality and the Plumb rectitude of conduct.” In another instance, “The Line teaches us the criterion of moral rectitude….”

But by far the most pertinent quote in our Textbook, and the picture being discussed, as relates to this essay, and as contained in the Entered Apprentice degree when speaking of the topic and the visual portrayal of the parallels depicting the summer and winter solstices on either side of of the point contained “…within circle embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines…,” as, ”They symbolize the lines of moral rectitude.” [All references cited are contained in the Mississippi Blue Lodge Ritual Reference Guide, 1st Edition]

Additionally, we offer another of poem written by the prolific Bro. Rob Morris, wherein the palm tree is a shining emblem. The following verses, though yet unnamed in The Pilgrim Knight book, although included in his 1884 book, The Poetry of Masonry ⁹;

Palm Tree Water , Shade , Fruit , Gracefulness
Thou seafest up the sum of nature’s gifts,
O grateful shaft, that send’st thy shade afar!
The royal sage adorned his olive gates
With thy fair image; for it told of food
Delicious to the taste; and grateful shade
Made by thy thickened foliage, while the sound —
No music in those eastern lands so sweet —
Of trickling water echoed at thy roots.
Perfect in beauty, and with bounty full,
Thou art the chief of Masons’ imagery.

From another Masonic themed internet website, The Symbolism of Freemasonry: Synoptical Index ¹⁰, based upon Mackey’s word usages and definitions, PALM TREE. “In its secondary sense the palm tree is a symbol of victory; but in its primary signification it is a symbol of the victory over death, that is, immortality.” In another reference there is more explanation in the following passage, one related to the symbology of the palm tree, even perhaps, an illusion or explanation of the “immortality of the soul” we speak of in Mississippi Freemasonry, where we have different instances of addressing the concept of “immortality.” Belief in this concept is particularly important to Mississippi Masons, as it is one of the essential beliefs to be affirmed before being allowed to enter our ancient Craft. The concept of immortality or eternal life is known in other cultures, for example, in ancient Egypt a palm frond was carried in funeral processions to represent eternal life.¹¹ The use of the palm tree as an icon was commonly used by ancient Babylonians, dating even to the 5th century BC .

In another citation from Dr. Mackey’s Symbolism of Freemasonry, section XXVIII, The Sprig of Acacia, “The palm was the symbol of victory; and hence, in the catacombs of Rome, the burial-place of so many of the early Christians, the palm leaf is constantly found as an emblem of the Christian’s triumph over sin and death.”¹³ Mackey continues and further expounds upon multiple ancient Mystery Rites and their use of plants considered sacred as associated with their respective religious practices; from Adonis, from Brahminical rites of India, the Egyptians, the Druids, the Greeks, the Hebrews, finally even then to the Christians. The perspective offered is one of particular significance to Freemasons in the closing lines of Mackey’s Symbolism tome concludes with the following, “Thus read (and thus all our symbols should be read), Masonry proves something more to its disciples than a mere society or a charitable association. It becomes a “lamp to our feet,” whose spiritual light shines on the darkness of the deathbed, and dissipates the gloomy shadows of the grave.” ¹⁴ [Emphasis added]

By way of researching for this essay, an artist’s rendering of King Solomon’s Temple was observed in the Practice and Procedure of the Scottish Rite (1981) by Henry C. Clausen (1905-1992), 33⁰, the Sovereign Grand Commander at that time. Readers should be able to readily identify the palm tree and cedar tree prominently portrayed in the foreground. The depiction is from a chapter in the book, Feast of Tishri. ¹⁵ As background, in 1866, the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States proclaimed as the Feast Day of the Lodge of Perfection. The observance is addressed in the Supreme Council’s governance of Subordinate Valleys; “Lodges of Perfection celebrate as a feast day the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month Tishri.”¹⁶ Many Scottish Rite Valleys and Orients still observe the Feast of Tishri as evidenced by a brochure ¹⁷ from October 5th of 2021 , Valley of Savannah, Orient of Georgia:

Interestingly, the brochure also depicts two pictures containing the lulav used by the Jewish peoples. The second picture is from the late Past Supreme Commander Clausen’s Practice and Procedure, page 46.¹⁸

The Temple being almost complete, and it being in close proximity to the celebration of the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles/Ingathering/Booths), King Solomon determined that due to the importance of the dedication of the new Temple, that both the festival associated with the Temple dedication and the Feast of Succoth would be celebrated-without a break between them. A period of feasting of fourteen days. This according to several accounts given among scholars. Including, Albert Barnes (1798-1870), an American theologian known best for his 1834 commentaries, twenty-six (26) volumes on the King James bible, Notes on the Bible. Barnes’ Notes, as they related to this event in 2 Chronicles 7, states, “Solomon kept the feast – i.e., Solomon kept at this same time, not the Feast of the Dedication only, but also the Feast of tabernacles. The former lasted seven days, from the 8th of Tisri (sic) to the 15th, the latter also seven days, from the 15th to the 22nd.”^{19, 20, 21, 22}

During the research associated with this essay it became apparent that depending on the reference used there was a disparity in the name of the months, particularly with the understanding of non-Jewish people, e.g., Tishri (Tishrei), is the first month of the “civil” year (September-October) and also the seventh month of the “ecclesiastical year” (which starts in Nisan, usually in March-April) in the Hebrew calendar. Two items to assist in remembering this fact may be found in Exodus (Shemot) 23:14-16 (KJV), the festivals of the Hebrews were established;

¹⁴ Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

¹⁵ Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

¹⁶ And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. [Emphasis added]

In reviewing this passage, it is apparent that the first of a year logically follows, “the end of the year”, which in this passage reflects on the festival of Succoth, it is fitting that, Rosh HaShana , meaning “start of the year” is the first day of the Jewish New Year, which occurs in the month of Nisan, the month immediately following Tishri.

In closing and transitioning for the benefit of our more Christian-oriented Brothers, there is need to address another part to the story we began in the Part 1 of the essay, specifically speaking of the Feast of Tabernacles and its particular significance to members of the Christian faith. The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot marked the end of the Hebrew religious calendar, as it was the seventh and final of the religious observances recorded in Leviticus 23 (KJV). Various sources provide an interpretation of the story of the ceremonies and rites taking place. One of the ceremonies included the Hebrew people carrying torches around the Temple to illuminate the walls of the Temple as a foretelling of the Messiah being as a light unto the Gentiles. It is stated that the light was so bright it penetrated the whole of Jerusalem, while the people were singing songs, dancing, and playing music while the people rejoiced. Another ceremony during the festival recounts a priest would sounding the shofar or ram’s horn announcing the start of the festival and a procession was held to draw water from the pool of Siloam and carry it back to the Temple to be used in the basin beside the altar on all seven days. Each day the people carried and waved the “lulab” (lulav)²³ consisting of branches of a palm tree, myrtle, and willow in their right hand and a citron in their left,²⁴ which they waved three times at each quarter of the world as an acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God over nature, expressing praise and thanksgiving, by reciting from the book of Psalms. And on the eighth day, the Sabbath, they all rested from the activities of the Feast of Tabernacles. It was this particular pilgrimage and festival, as told in the book of St. John, that at what was to be the final celebration on earth by Jesus wherein He spoke of the refreshment, rejoicing, and rest that He promised his followers, awaiting the promise of the Sukkah Shalom or Tabernacle of Peace.^{25, 26}

In Mississippi Freemasonry, we are instructed, “Every figure, character and emblem depicted in the Lodge has a moral meaning and forcibly inculcates the practice of virtue.” [Emphasis added] Our Fraternity is rich in history, symbolism, wisdom brought forth over the ages from a wide variety of places and sources: all which provide an opportunity for a willing man searching to gain a greater understanding into life and its messages, with one caveat—a man must for himself, remember and act upon, what they stated of their own free will and accord, that they came to our Lodge room door to do, “To learn…”.

Even of those things hidden in plain sight.

Fiat Lux

References and works cited.

1. Morris, Rob. The Golden Sabbath at Patmos, (pg.62), http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/freemasonry_in_the_holy_land.htm
2. Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell, http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/oriental_order_of_the_palm_and_shell.htm?fbclid=IwAR1fuxaZoo522oJc_XoqcJKb6moYflo3sCzysfdz9wElF36V4Wxt-SC84io
3. C.C. Adams in his Masonic Notes: A Publication to Encourage and Facilitate Intercommunication between Masonic Students in All Parts of the World, Volume II, 1919-1920. https://archive.org/details/masonicnotespubl02ccad/page/12/mode/2up
4. Ibid. Page 12
5. Henry R. Coleman. The Pilgrim Knight: A Guide to the Ceremonies and Lectures of the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell
6. Ibid. Page 47
7. Online Etymology Dictionary. Upright (adj.), https://www.etymonline.com/word/upright
8. Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upright#:~:text=Synonym%20for%20upright-,Adjective,strict%20adherence%20to%20moral%20principles
9. Rob Morris. The Poetry of Freemasonry (1884). XXVIII. Palm Tree, http://www.mpoets.org/Morris2.htm#m122  Last retrieved from the Masonic Poets website, located here, http://www.mpoets.org/
10. The Symbolism of Freemasonry: Synoptical Index. Sacred Texts. https://www.sacred-texts.com/mas/sof/sof34.htm
11. Palm branches. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_branch#:~:text=Palm%20stems%20represented%20long%20life,processions%20to%20represent%20eternal%20life
12. Ibid.
13. The Symbolism of Freemasonry: Illustrating and Explaining Its Science and Philosophy, Its Legends, Myths and Symbols (1882). https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11937/11937-h/11937-h.htm
14. Ibid.
15. Practice and Procedure for the Scottish Rite. Henry C. Clausen. (1981). The Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree. Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. (Page 49).
16. Statutes of The Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree. Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. (2013). Regulations Governing Subordinate Bodies. Article XV, Sec. 10, Subordinate Bodies, Feast Days, SupremeStatutes-2013.pdf (srkc.org)
17. Feast of Tishri Brochure. Valley of Savannah, Orient of Georgia. 2021. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/c2e8a91b-7b60-4005-8a1e-874742daad7a/downloads/feast%20of%20tishri%202021-2.pdf?ver=1655133287278
18. Same reference as endnote, xi. Page 46.
19. Albert Barnes. Notes on the Bible. https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/ch2007.htm
20. 2 Chronicles 7. Bible Hub commentary. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/2_chronicles/7.htm
21. The Dedication of the Temple. https://bible.ucg.org/bible-commentary/1-Kings/The-ark-and-glory-enter;-Solomon’s-speech/
22. Shemini Atzeret: Redacting a Missing Festival into Solomon’s Temple Dedication, https://www.thetorah.com/article/shemini-atzeret-redacting-a-missing-festival-into-solomons-temple-dedication
23. Lulab.Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10181-lulab
24. Wildflowers of Israel, The Four Species-Arba’at Haminim. https://www.wildflowers.co.il/english/fourKinds.asp
25. Learn Religions, https://www.learnreligions.com/feast-of-tabernacles-700181
26. Gill’s commentary on John (KJV), John 7:2. Exposition of the Old and New Testament, by John Gill https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/gill/joh007.htm

Additional reading, background, references, and symbology associated with palm trees

Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature (1867) McClintock, John and Strong, James.  Palmtree. https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/P/palmtree.html

PALMERAS Y JARDINES EN EL SUROESTE DE EUROPA, https://www.palmerasyjardines.com/en/did-you-know-that/more-things-about-palms/

Palm Tree in Ancient Cultures. Vasilev, D. (2019), https://mymythstories.com/palm-symbolism/

Symbolsage. Palm Tree-Meaning and Symbolism. https://symbolsage.com/palm-tree-meaning-symbolism/