How do the colours in Masonic regalia differ across degrees?

An unadorned white lambskin apron represents the first degree, symbolizing purity of soul 2. In the second degree, pale blue rosettes are added to signify spiritual development 2. The third degree adds deeper blue adornments along with silver tassels and a silver serpent, replacing the absence of metal in earlier stages 2. While light blue distinguishes the Craft generally, senior officers in Provincial and Grand Lodges wear deep garter blue and gold lace 21. Mark Masonry uses these same Craft colours for its ordinary members and officers 1.

In the Royal Arch, red or scarlet predominates as a symbol of fervour and zeal 13. Wilmshurst observes that in the Royal Arch, Craft blue is intershot with red to produce purple, representing royalty 2. In the American Royal Arch system, regalia includes an apron bound in scarlet along with a scarlet scarf and collar 3. The related Royal Ark Mariner degree employs rainbow colouring in reference to the flood legend 1.

In the Scottish Rite, degrees are categorized under distinct colour groupings 1. Black signifies grief, vengeance, or retribution in degrees such as Secret Master, Master Elect of Nine (sprinkled with red), and Chevalier Kadosh 1. White garments appear in degrees like Grand Master Architect and Chief of the Tabernacle 1, while blue dotted with golden stars characterizes the Grand Pontiff degree 1. In Christian chivalric degrees, such as the Order of the Temple, black sashes memorialize historical persecution 1, whereas the Royal Order of Scotland incorporates crimson and green 1.