What is the symbolism of the Chapter's triple tau?

The Triple Tau, formed by three tau crosses conjoined at their feet, serves as the principal badge and grand emblem of the Royal Arch 1. Historically, the symbol originated as the monogram of the letters T over H, signifying Templum Hierosolymae, the Temple of Jerusalem, as recorded by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire. The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon notes that this emblem also signifies that the wearer acknowledges himself to be a servant of God, or represents the Phoenician initial letters for Hiram Abif and Hiram of Tyre.

Symbolically, the emblem represents the threefold nature and unity of the Deity 2. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire highlights that it serves as a reminder of the unity of God and eternal truth, while also functioning as a key to hidden treasure or the place where something precious lies concealed. In traditional Royal Arch lectures, the geometric intersections of the emblem form right angles in five combinations, which were reduced to correspond symbolically to the five Platonic bodies representing the elements and the universe 1.

Drawing from biblical tradition, the single tau cross recalls the mark described by the Prophet Ezekiel to distinguish the faithful, acting as a sign of favorable distinction designating those who know and worship the true name of God 1. It stands as an emblem of salvation and eternal life 1. When displayed on the Royal Arch apron, the symbol is placed inside a triangle representing divine wisdom and a circle symbolizing eternity, as noted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire 1.

The Companion's jewel signifies the office of an individual, while rank is indicated by the apron, according to the United Grand Lodge of England.

In local practice, such as within the Province of West Lancashire, newly admitted Companions wear regalia decorated with white apron ribbons and a distinctive white ribboned jewel.

Regarding its visual symbolism and design, the official Royal Arch jewel features an Eastern Crown on a sunburst positioned between compasses, under which three interlaced triangles are suspended.

Banners displayed in the Royal Arch derive from the standards attributed to the Tribes of Israel during their wilderness encampment, as referenced in the Book of Numbers 1. Because biblical scriptures do not specify their devices or colors, these emblems rely on Talmudic traditions and rabbinic commentaries 1.

In English practice, Chapters display twelve banners representing all twelve tribes of Israel 1. Research published by Quatuor Coronati Lodge by R. A. Wells examines the symbols depicted on these principal banners. By contrast, the American practice utilizes four principal banners representing the chief encampment tribes: Dan, Reuben, Ephraim, and Judah 1. According to Albert C. Mackey, these four standards depict an eagle on a blue banner for Dan, a man on a purple banner for Reuben, an ox on a scarlet banner for Ephraim, and a lion on a white banner for Judah 1. These four standards are assigned to the Grand Masters of the Veils and the Royal Arch Captain 1.

Symbolically, Walter Leslie Wilmshurst interprets the four principal emblems—the lion, ox, man, and eagle—as an ancient glyph representing the evolution and progress of the human soul 3. In this mystical reading, the soul advances from a wild, passional state represented by the lion, to a docile and disciplined condition prepared for service symbolized by the ox, onward to human rationality represented by the man, and ultimately to upward-soaring spirituality signified by the eagle 3. Wilmshurst also views the banners of the twelve tribes as figures of the zodiacal divisions and heavenly hierarchies that form an archetypal canopy over creation 3.