What are the aprons used in Freemasonry?
The aprons used in Freemasonry, particularly the lambskin or white leather apron, are significant symbols representing innocence and purity. They are considered the badge of a Mason and are described as being more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, and more honorable than the Star and Garter when worthily worn. The apron is presented to candidates during their initiation, symbolizing their acceptance into the fraternity and the values they are expected to uphold.
As noted in The Hidden Life in Freemasonry, "Every Mason at a Lodge meeting must wear the distinctive badge which is called an apron, and it is only when doing so that he is, in Masonic parlance, 'properly clothed'." This emphasizes the importance of the apron in Masonic rituals and gatherings.
Furthermore, the apron is not merely a piece of clothing; it carries deep symbolic meaning. The shape of the apron, often a square surmounted by a triangle, represents the relationship between spirit and matter, and the journey of the Mason through different degrees of knowledge and understanding.