RELIGIOUS -
GEOMETRIC -
LETTERS AND MONOGRAMS -
FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
ANIMAL -
PLANT AND FLORAL -
BODY -
ART AND ICONS
Fraternal and social organizations
Fraternal and social organizations were very popular both in the United States and
Canada during the 1800s. Half the population of the United States in the 1920s
belonged to at least one fraternal organization. In Canada, these same organizations
were popular both in urban and rural settlements. Two thousand fraternal societies
existed in North America in the mid-1800s.
Evidence of the popularity of fraternal societies can be seen in the number of grave
memorials with fraternal symbols. Many fraternal societies that once were popular are
now almost non-existent. Here are some othe most common fraternal societies and their
associated symbolism:
Bookbinding |
B'Nai B'rith |
Kinsmen (Canada) |
Carpentry |
American Legion |
4-H Club |
Daughters Of The American Revolution |
Canadian Legion Crest |
Drama |
Eagles |
Elks |
Girl Scouts |
Boy Scouts |
Daughters of Isabella |
Kiwanis International |
Knights of Malta |
Lions International |
Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
Masonic Blue Lodge |
Masonic Lodge of Perfection |
Music |
Mystic Shrine |
Odd Fellows |
Rotary |
Veterans of Foreign WarsFreemasons or masons are one of the oldest known fraternal organizations in North America. Masons trace the roots of their origins to the stonemasons guilds of England and Scotland. By 1730, the masons were already well established in the Eastern States. It is believed that they were also established in Canada by the late 1700s.
Masons are ranked on a pyramid of degrees or ranks. After passing the first three
ranks a member is accepted in the Masonic Blue Lodge. The common expression to be put
through the "third degree" derives from the Masonic ranking system. Masonic meetings
and ceremonies include secret rituals, passwords, handshakes and mystical symbols. An
interesting feature of masons is the mixture of Christian and pagan symbols they have
adopted. During the 1800s and 1900s, it was common for men to belong to two or three
fraternal organizations. Many grave memorials carry more than one organization's
symbol.
In British Columbia, some of the most common symbols associated with fraternal
orders and their meanings are:
The All-Seeing Eye - watchfulness and God. Adopted from Christianity.
Beehive - industriousness and productivity
Open hand with heart - charity, one of the greatest virtues of masons, along with
faith and hope. Commonly used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Woman with cross - faith
Woman with anchor - hope
Virgin standing over open-book - mourning
Two columns - The entrance to Solomon's temple, sometimes labeled "B" for Boaz
(strength), and "J" for Jachin, which means "to establish." Usually seen as gateway
columns; common on Masonic graves.
Mosaic pattern - good and evil in life. Commonly seen as black and white tile pattern on grave ledger top.
Square and Compass - reason and faith. The most-recognized Masonic emblem.
The letter "G" - God and for geometry, emblematic of the spiritual and material worlds. The most sacred Masonic symbol.
Eastern Star - A five-pointed pentagram star with multiple small symbols and the
letters "F.A.T.A.L." represent "Fairest Among Thousands, Altogether Lovely".
Masonic organization for women.
Three-linked chain with the letters "F.L.T." - The Independent Order of Odd
Fellows (I.O.O.F.). The three links represent the three degrees of friendship,
love and truth.
Sawed-off Tree Stump - Often with an axe and the motto "Dum Tacet Clamet"
(Though silent, he speaks). This is the Woodsmen of the World emblem. It should
be noted that not all tree stump monuments are on the graves of Woodsmen of the
World members.
Along with symbols for fraternal organizations there are also symbols associated with professional groups. Motifs may be associated with medicine, drama, music or trades such as carpentry and mechanics.
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