Rainbow colouring is associated not with the Holy Royal Arch, but with the degree of Royal Ark Mariner, where it serves as a symbol connected directly to the legend of the Deluge 1.
While crimson or red is the characteristic colour of the Holy Royal Arch—symbolizing the zeal, fervour, and fidelity attributed to the candidates in its traditional history—it is distinct from the rainbow symbolism used in the Royal Ark Mariner 1. Arthur Edward Waite notes that rainbow colouring belongs properly to the Royal Ark Mariner degree (which is attached to the Mark degree), rather than the Capitular sequence of the Royal Arch itself 1.
2
same in the mark degree?
Rainbow symbolism does not feature in the Mark Master Mason degree itself; rather, its distinguishing colours are identical to those of Craft Masonry 1.
Rainbow colouring belongs specifically to the degree of Royal Ark Mariner, which is attached to the Mark 1. In that setting, the rainbow serves as an emblem connected directly to the Legend of the Flood 1.
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