It is well known that Freemasons wear white gloves. However many people, both in Freemasonry and outside do not know why.
The wearing of gloves is a practice inherited from operative masons, who wore them to protect their hands, and were often
supplied by their employers at the start of each building project; sometimes by way of a formal presentation. Their colour, white, matches the lambskin apron, and symbolically, has the same connotations of innocence and purity. The parallels in the outside world are obvious. White gloves were worn by Bishops, Archbishops and the Pope, when they celebrated Mass, or gave blessings; symbolising that their hands were ‘clean’. White gloves still form part of the ceremonial uniform of High Court judges, also to signify non-corruption, and are still worn by Standard-bearers in the armed forces on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of reverence for the Regimental Standard and battle honours.
If you have any other questions about Freemasonry, please see our FAQs page.
The Lodge of Dawn recently, for the first time in the lodge’s history, commissioned embroidered gloves for the brethren. Not only do these new gloves look smart, they give an added sense of belonging to all that wear them. Supplied by The Masonic Collection, based in Coventry, the gloves were delivered during the recent lockdown period.
Almost 60 pairs were supplied by Masonic Collection. Once the gloves had arrived in Leeds, the majority were hand delivered, cycle-powered, over a three week period to the brethren of the lodge. It was agreed that part of the purchase price, along with voluntary additional donations, would go towards the Lodge Almoner’s Fund. With no meetings at which to collect alms, the fund still needs supporting and a wonderful £140 was collected to boost the coffers.
The only question that now needs answering is when the brethren of the Lodge of Dawn will get to wear their smart new gloves !
If you would like to find out more about Freemasonry in Leeds see our page here.
And if you would like to visit our lodge (and see us wearing our smart new attire 😊) at Castle Grove Masonic Hall, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.