what does the rainbow symbolise in the royal arch and do writers agree on it

The rainbow is not a symbol of the Royal Arch, but rather of the Royal Ark Mariner degree 12.

Arthur Edward Waite notes that rainbow colouring represents the Royal Ark Mariner degree for the obvious reason of its connection to the Legend of the Flood 1. Albert C. Mackey similarly records that members of a Royal Ark vessel wear a broad ribbon representing a rainbow, alongside an apron embellished with the ark and dove, reflecting their professing to be followers of Noah 2.

Regarding the Royal Arch itself, Waite observes that its characteristic colour is red or crimson, serving as an emblem of zeal, fervour, and fidelity 1. He treats the combination of red and blue generally as an emblem of union in Masonry, but distinguishes this from the specific rainbow symbolism attached to the Noahic tradition 1.

While both degrees are conferred under capitular or complementary Masonic structures depending on the jurisdiction, the sources indicate no disagreement among writers regarding the rainbow: it belongs specifically to the Royal Ark Mariner tradition, where it directly signifies the Biblical narrative of Noah and the Deluge 12.

Arthur Edward Waite directly mentions the rainbow symbol in connection with the Royal Ark Mariner degree 1. He records that this degree is represented by rainbow colouring, noting that this choice exists for the obvious reason of the degree's connection to the Legend of the Flood 1.

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