[ Back | Home | Email Rainbow.org's owner | Complete Site Map ]
Please remember the tributes are the intellectual property of their author, and to give credit to them (when known) on any copy you make.
These tributes are excellent when given to an initiate a meeting or two after she is initiated. If a Mason's Lambskin apron is available, it should be held to demonstrate the square and triangle flaps with ties. Alternately, you can ask a Mason if he would model his for your tribute. The end note of tribute I suggests: IT IS TO BE GIVEN IN A CLOSED MEETING ONLY!
created on 09-30-01
Lambskin Apron Tribute I -- Virginia Masonic Herald, April, 1976 So, now you are a Rainbow Girl -- what do you remember from your Initiation? Do you remember that funny white thing the Sister of Charity tied around your wrist - "keep it always", she said - but do you remember why? Perhaps I can tell you something about that little lambskin that will make it more meaningful.
(found on California Grand Assembly's website)
As a Rainbow Girl walks the beautiful path at Initiation, she begins the lessons taught at the seven color stations. Ideals such as love of home, country, church and school are deeply impressed on the heart and mind of a girl from the very beginning. The culmination of her initiation is the presentation of a miniature lambskin apron.
While many have seen and worn the apron, few truly understand its meaning. To us, the lambskin, or white apron, is an emblem of innocence and the distinguished badge of a Mason. It is a perfect rectangle and the angles represent truth and honesty. Its four sides remind Masons to practice the four cardinal virtues: self control in word and act; fortitude in a noble purpose; wise judgement; justice to the humble and greatest alike. The flap is triangular and its three sides refer to the three attributes of God--infinite knowledge, infinite power and infinite presence. The two strings remind us that reverence of the practice of Masonic virtues should be bound to the heart and conscience by the double ties of love to God and man. the apron with its four sides and the flap with its three constitutes the sacred number seven. Seven refers to the seven liberal arts and sciences which were the foundation of Masonry. This will quickly bring to the mind of a Rainbow Girl the seven lessons taught at our bow stations. There is one peculiar significance of the lambskin.. it is the first symbol of Masonic life and also the last. The principle honor of the Apron consists of one's innocence, conduct and purity of heart. The color of the apron is white... in all ages an emblem of innocence and purity.
Thus, knowing the meaning and significance of the apron to our Masonic sponsors, it becomes an even more sacred treasure to each Rainbow initiate.
So the next time you wear your lambskin think of it not as something you tie around your wrist on that special day, but something that binds us to our God, our religion and our Masonic sponsors.
Lambskin Apron Tribute II -- author unknown, but appears to be a variation of the one above As a Rainbow girl walks the beautiful path at Initiation, she begins the lessons taught at the seven color stations. Ideals such as love of home, country, church and school are deeply impressed in her heart and mind. At the conclusion of her initiation, she is presented a miniature lambskin apron. The lambskin apron is the first gift bestowed upon her as a Rainbow girl.
(from Rainbow.org's personal archives)
Many girls have seen and worn the apron, but few truly understand its meaning. To us, the white lambskin apron is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It is a perfect rectangle and stands for truth and honesty. Its four sides serve as a reminder of four virtues: self control in word and act; courage and strength in a noble cause; wise judgement; and justice to all mankind. The triangular flap represents three attributes of God: infinite knowledge, infinite power, and infinite presence. The two strings remind us of our ties of love to God and man. The apron's four sides and the flap's three constitute the sacred number seven which refers to the foundation of Masonry. This quickly brings to mind the seven lessons taught at our bow stations. The white lambskin apron is the first symbol of Masonic life and also the last. It represents innocence, conduct and purity of heart.
Knowing the significance of the apron to our Masonic sponsors, it becomes even more sacred to each Rainbow girl. The next time you wear your lambskin apron, think of it not only as something you tie around your wrist, but something that binds you to God, your religion, and your Masonic sponsors.
Lambskin Apron Tribute III -- author unknown The lambskin apron is the first tangible gift bestowed upon you as a newly-obligated Rainbow girl after entering the Assembly room. It is a symbol of righteous conduct and upright living, and should be cherished and preserved by you always. Your name is upon it and you are to wear it only at the time and in the manner as prescribed by our Worthy Advisor.
(from Rainbow.org's personal archives)
The spotless lambskin apron is the most ancient and honorable vestiture of the ages -- more ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, and when worn with dignity and pride by a Rainbow girl, it is as honorable as the Maltese Cross of the Congressional Medal of Honor. There is not one of the symbols of Ancient Craft Masonry more important in its teachings, or more absorbing in its history, and hence, the lambskin apron has also become one of the most prized possessions of our Rainbow Fraternity, for it is at once the emblem, the badge and the heritage of a true Rainbow girl.
The diagram sets forth the three great allegorical attributes with which you are already familiar -- Faith, Hope, and Charity, which surrounds and guards the apron. The ribbons or apron strings are rightly designated Unity and Strength. Wisdom rests at the top of the apron whose principal field of endeavor is Truth -- that attribute so diligently sought by members of our great Fraternity throughout life. Of course, the gold star near the bottom of our apron represents the Order of the Eastern Star, sponsor of our beloved Assembly of Rainbow.
Preserve and cherish your spotless Rainbow lambskin apron, for it is the very embodiment of all that a real Rainbow girl is or shall ever hope to attain.
Do you have a tribute you can add to this list? Then please take a few minutes and email it to me! Please identify the author, if known, with name, assembly name & number, jurisdiction, etc. If the author is an active Rainbow girl, her last name will not be used. Author's credit will be by their name and jurisdiction ONLY, unless otherwise specified.
[ Back | Home | Email Rainbow.org's owner | Complete Site Map ] [EoF]
