What is the Holy Royal Arch?

The Holy Royal Arch constitutes the climax and conclusion of the Masonic system under the English Constitution 1. Established as part of "Pure Antient Masonry" by the Act of Union of 1813, it serves as the completion of the journey begun in the Craft degrees, with members assembling in Chapters under the Supreme Grand Chapter of England (the United Grand Lodge of England states). Master Masons of four weeks standing are eligible to join as Companions of the Order (the United Grand Lodge of England states).

Historical evidence indicates that the Royal Arch was being worked by the late 1730s, with its initial printed reference appearing in 1744 (AIM25 records). The narrative of the degree relies centrally on the building of King Solomon's Temple, expanding upon the allegorical themes established in Craft Masonry (Quatuor Coronati Lodge notes).

Symbolically, the Royal Arch is considered an expansion of the Master Mason degree, portraying the mystical return of the exiled soul from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem, which signifies human regeneration and spiritual wholeness 1. In this framework, the key ritual figures—Zerubbabel, Joshua, and Haggai—personify spiritual attributes of supremacy, active function, and holiness, while the triad of Sojourners represents the component elements of the human personality 1. Without the fulfillment foreshadowed in the Royal Arch, the preliminary discipline and instructions of the Craft degrees remain unfinished 1.

Organizational structure and governance form the primary distinction between English and American practice. In England, the Holy Royal Arch was officially declared at the Union of 1813 to be part of "pure Ancient Masonry," which consists of three degrees including the Holy Royal Arch 2. Consequently, the United Grand Lodge of England considers the Royal Arch to be the completion of the Master Mason degree, governed by the Supreme Grand Chapter in close alignment with the Craft Grand Lodge, with English Craft lodges traditionally attached to a Royal Arch Chapter (the United Grand Lodge of England states).

In the United States, Royal Arch Masonry developed as an independent appendant system separate from the governance of Symbolic Craft Grand Lodges. It forms the first section of the American York Rite, operating as a distinct system of four degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason. American Royal Arch Chapters exist as independent organizational units governed by their own Grand Chapters and the General Grand Chapter. Historical records trace this separate evolution back to the late eighteenth century, such as Saint Andrew's Chapter in Boston connecting the Mark Master degree to its proceedings in 1793 2.

Ritualistic roles and officer titles further illustrate this separation. In American Royal Arch Chapters, the chief officers are the High Priest, King, and Scribe 2, whereas in England the three Principals representing the leadership are Zerubbabel, Haggai, and Jeshua 2.

Passage through the veils symbolizes the trials, difficulties, and moral virtues encountered during the search for truth 2. These veils, set within the Royal Arch Tabernacle, are distinguished by the four colors blue, purple, scarlet, and white (the Grand Lodge of Alberta states; Square Magazine records; Berkshire Freemasons notes), with each color conveying a distinct symbolic lesson regarding the candidate's moral and spiritual advancement 2.

Blue serves as a symbol of universal friendship and benevolence, representing the foundational Symbolic degrees where the initial search for truth begins 2. Purple signifies union, illustrating the intimate connection between Craft Freemasonry and the Royal Arch system, and corresponds to the intermediate degrees 2. Scarlet denotes fervency and zeal, qualities vital for advancing in the Royal Arch and achieving success in the search for light 2. White represents purity, reminding the candidate at the culmination of the journey that only purity of heart renders one worthy to receive divine truth 2.

In the system detailed by Albert C. Mackey, the progression through these colored veils is linked to historical emblems derived from Exodus, illustrating the transformation from darkness to light and the recovery of that which was lost 2. Upon successfully passing the final veil, the aspirant receives the Signet of Zerubbabel as an emblem of authority, marking the completion of trials and the attainment of the sought-after reward 2.