Master's Hat

[°illuminati°]

Master's Hat
We have no written law requiring that a Wor-
shipful Master shall remain covered at all times
but to wear a hat is so old a custom, is so gener-
ally recognized as a symbol of his office, and is
so integrally a part of the system of Masonic sym-
bolism as a whole, it is fitting that he do so. The
hat is an emblem of the Master's authority, a dis-
tinguishing mark of the importance of his office,
a visible and conspicuous sign of his position as
presiding officer and titular head of the Lodge.
Being such, it is not a personal property of the
Master as a private individual, but belongs to the
Lodge, like his Apron or jewel, and it is this fact
that should determine his use of it.
The hat should always be removed during
prayer as a sign of respect to the Sovereign Grand
Architect of the Universe. It should be removed
when giving the obligations as a token of their
solemnity. If a Masonic Memorial Service is held
in church or cemetery chapel, it should be re-
moved as a sign of reverence. In Grand Lodge
Communications, of course, only the Grand Mas-
ter remains covered.
The kind of hat a Master should wear is deter-
mined by good taste. A cap or a straw hat is al-
ways inappropriate. With full evening wear, only
a silk hat should be used; it is also better to wear
silk when attired in tuxedo though in many cir-
cumstances a black derby or homburg is in good
taste. The only governing principle, as said
above, is good taste, and, in deference to that, a
Master will never wish to wear any style of hat
that will attract attention out of oddity or will
derogate from the dignity of his office.

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