why are members in the royal arch called companions instead of brothers
The title refers most probably to the companionship of the ancient Jews during their exile and captivity, spanning from the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar to its restoration under Zerubbabel 1.
In adopting the term, a shade of distinction was drawn between it and the title of brother 1. While brotherhood expresses the universal fatherhood of God and a natural relation shared among all men, companionship represents a closer connection formed by choice and confined to a few 1. It signifies a shared pursuit of a single object, as well as the common endurance of suffering or enjoyment of happiness 1.
where does the word actually come from
The term companion derives etymologically from Latin roots meaning "with bread", carrying military connotations of shared sustenance and a strong bond formed among members, as the United Grand Lodge of England notes.
Within this degree, the designation refers symbolically to the companionship of the ancient Jews during their captivity and exile following the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar through to its restoration under Zerubbabel 1. The adoption of the word marks a deliberate distinction from the title of brother: whereas brotherhood signifies the natural relation shared universally among all men under the fatherhood of God, companionship represents a closer connection formed by choice among a select few united in a common pursuit, enduring shared suffering, or sharing common joy 1.
is it used in any of the craft degrees
The title companion is not used within any of the three degrees of Craft Masonry. Members of the Craft—comprising the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason—are instead referred to as Brethren, as the Grand Lodge of India notes on its website. The designation of Companion is reserved for members of the Royal Arch.
what does that distinction teach us about our duty to each other
Brotherhood reflects a general relationship shared by all Masons through common human nature, shared labor, and a mutual covenant 1. The moral duty it imposes is not left as a vague abstraction or a matter of personal inclination; rather, Masonic instruction closely defines the mode and practice of brotherly love to ensure it translates into active obligation 1.
Companionship, by contrast, represents a more intimate connection formed by choice among a select few engaged in a specific shared endeavor and enduring common trials 1. Where the duty owed between brethren arises from a broad fraternal tie, the duty between companions stems from this closer partnership in pursuit of a single object 1.
While general teachings on fraternal duty require concrete support and mutual assistance, specific symbolic illustrations of those duties—such as the Five Points of Fellowship—belong strictly to the Craft degrees rather than to the Royal Arch 1.
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