Governing Body, Headquarters & Eligibility Requirements
| Order / Jurisdiction Title | Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (Holy Royal Arch) |
|---|---|
| Governing Body in the UK | Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England / Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland |
| UK Headquarters | Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ |
| Candidate Prerequisite | Must be a Master Mason of at least four weeks' standing in a regular Craft Lodge. |
Degrees Worked & Symbolic Working Tools
Each ceremony within Holy Royal Arch dramatises a specific episode of scriptural or chivalric allegory and entrusts the candidate with symbolic working tools:
| Degree / Ceremony | Moral & Historical Focus | Symbolic Working Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Exaltation into the Holy Royal Arch | Discovery of the sacred attributes during the clearing of the foundations of King Solomon's Temple by the sojourners returning from Babylon. | Crow, Pickaxe, and Spade (Symbolic tools of the Sojourners). |
Historical Development in Britain
Emerging in Britain and Ireland by the 1740s and championed by Laurence Dermott and Thomas Dunckerley, the Royal Arch was formally embedded into the 1813 Act of Union as the fourth and culminating stage of Pure Antient Masonry.
Official Apron, Sash & Breast Jewel Regulations
Regalia & Dress Guidelines for Holy Royal Arch
Companions wear a white lambskin apron bordered with indented crimson and dark blue (purple) ribbon featuring the Triple Tau on the flap, a matching crimson and blue sash worn over the left shoulder, and the Royal Arch breast jewel (double triangle with sun and scroll).
Need regulation aprons, breast jewels, or signet rings for Holy Royal Arch? Explore our UK Masonic Regalia, Jewels & Signet Rings Hub.
Related Masonic Symbols & Ritual Guides
Square and Compasses
The Square and Compasses is the universal emblem of speculative Freemasonry. Conjoined together, the stonemason's try-square represents morality, fairness, and earthly conduct ('squaring our actions'), whilst the compasses represent spiritual boundaries, moderation, and self-restraint.
All-Seeing Eye of Providence
Often surrounded by an equilateral triangle or a burst of solar glory, the All-Seeing Eye (or Eye of Providence) is an ancient Renaissance and Biblical emblem adopted by 18th-century Freemasons to remind Brethren that every thought, word, and action is observed by the Great Architect of the Universe.
The Blazing Star
Situated at the centre of the chequered black-and-white Mosaic Pavement or within the Tessellated Border of the Lodge, the Blazing Star represents Divine Providence, the sun enlightening the earth, and prudent conduct amidst the shifting fortunes of human life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Royal Arch
Why are members of the Royal Arch called Companions instead of Brethren?
The title 'Companion' recalls the companionship forged by the exiled Israelites who travelled together across the desert from captivity in Babylon to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
What is the meaning of the Triple Tau emblem in Royal Arch Masonry?
Composed of three 'T' letters conjoined at their base, the Triple Tau represents 'Templum Hierosolymae' (Temple of Jerusalem) or 'Clavis ad Thesaurum' (A Key to a Treasure), serving as the central emblem of the Order.