Français
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Shopping Cart
Beyond the regalia worn by each brother or sister, a Masonic lodge needs a range of equipment, tools and accessories to organise its labours properly and in keeping with ritual.
Some items are used directly by the officers to punctuate and conduct the meeting. Others structure the space of the Temple, while some objects play an essentially symbolic or ceremonial role. All of them nonetheless contribute to the particular atmosphere of lodge labours.
The choice of equipment for a Masonic lodge depends in particular on the rite practised, the degree concerned, the traditions of the workshop and the customs specific to the obedience. The material required by a lodge can therefore vary considerably from one workshop to another.
This guide presents the main items of Masonic lodge equipment and accessories, their function and their symbolism, in order to better understand their place in the organisation of the labours.
What are the main items of equipment in a Masonic lodge?
The main items of equipment in a Masonic lodge include in particular the officers' gavels, the lodge carpet or tracing board, the symbolic columns, the candlesticks and torches, the lodge banners and cordons, as well as various accessories, storage items and equipment needed to organise the labours and ceremonies.
The gavel, a symbol of authority
The Masonic gavel is one of the most emblematic tools in a lodge's ritual furnishings. It is mainly associated with the officers responsible for conducting and organising the labours, in particular the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden.
The gavel is used to punctuate the different moments of the meeting. Blows of the gavel accompany in particular the opening and closing of the labours and can also be used to call the assembly to order or to mark certain stages of the ritual.
Beyond its practical use, the gavel carries a strong symbolic dimension. It represents in particular the capacity to act, to build and to master matter. Within the lodge, it also recalls the authority required to ensure the proper conduct of the labours in accordance with established rules.
A distinction is generally made between the Worshipful Master's large gavel and the gavels used by the wardens. Their shape, decoration and materials may vary according to the traditions and customs of each workshop.
A tool in the service of the labours
The gavel accompanies the conduct of the labours and symbolically recalls the need to build with method, order and mastery.
The lodge carpet or tracing board
The Masonic lodge carpet, also known as the tracing board depending on tradition, is one of the main symbolic supports used during the labours.
Drawn, printed or embroidered, it brings together in a single composition the main symbols associated with the degree concerned. It may notably feature the columns of the Temple, the mosaic pavement, the blazing star, the square and compasses, as well as other elements whose presence and arrangement vary according to the rite.
The tracing board is therefore not a mere decoration. It serves as a support for reflection and for the symbolic understanding of the labours. The symbols it represents can be observed and discussed as part of the teachings associated with the degree.
It is generally associated with a specific degree. A lodge carpet intended for the degree of Apprentice will not necessarily have the same composition as a tracing board intended for the degree of Fellowcraft or Master.
A symbolic support specific to each degree
The lodge carpet brings together the essential symbols of a degree in a coherent composition. Its design must therefore take into account both the rite practised and the traditions specific to the workshop.
The columns, candlesticks and torches
Masonic columns occupy a central place in the symbolism of the Temple. The columns Jakin and Boaz, inspired by the account of Solomon's Temple, are among the best-known symbols of Masonic tradition.
Within the lodge space, the columns help to symbolically structure the Temple. Their placement, shape and ornamentation may vary according to the rite and the customs of the workshop.
Candlesticks and torches also play a part in organising the ritual space. Light holds an important place in Masonic symbolism and accompanies the different moments of the meeting.
The arrangement of the columns, candlesticks and other elements of the Temple generally follows a precise organisation. These objects are therefore not placed at random: their position contributes to the symbolic coherence of the working space.
The columns
They symbolically structure the entrance and the space of the Temple and recall in particular the tradition of Jakin and Boaz.
The candlesticks
They play a part in organising the ritual space and in the symbolism of light.
The torches
They accompany certain ceremonies and contribute to the particular atmosphere of the labours.
Banners, standards and lodge cordons
Lodge banners and standards help to assert a workshop's own identity. They may notably display the lodge's name, its number, its emblem or the symbols chosen by its members.
Used during certain ceremonies, events or processions, they form a strong visual element of the lodge's collective identity. Their design may be the subject of particular attention in order to best represent the workshop's history and traditions.
Lodge cordons may also contribute to this identity. Depending on custom, they may be associated with certain offices or used as items of representation during special events.
The making of a Masonic banner requires particular attention to the quality of the fabric, the precision of the embroidery and the durability of the finish. These are generally pieces intended to be kept and used over the long term.
The workshop's visual identity
A lodge banner can become a true symbol of recognition. It accompanies the workshop during its ceremonies and helps to pass on its history and identity to succeeding generations.
Symbolic tools and accessories
A Masonic lodge may also use various symbolic tools and accessories needed for certain labours and ceremonies.
Among the best-known items are the traditional tools associated with the mason's work, such as the square, compasses, level, rule or trowel. Their presence and use depend on the ritual context and the degree concerned.
These tools carry a dual dimension. On the one hand they recall the operative origin of many Masonic symbols, and on the other they serve as a support for moral and philosophical reflection.
The quality of these accessories matters when they are intended for regular use. Durable materials and careful finishing help preserve their appearance and function over the years.
Furniture and practical accessories
A lodge's equipment is not limited to items directly associated with ritual. Furniture and practical accessories also play an important role in the workshop's day-to-day operation.
Storage spaces make it possible to keep regalia, lodge carpets, banners and various accessories in good condition between meetings. Suitable storage helps preserve fabrics, embroidery and metal elements.
Certain accessories may also be needed to adjust or maintain regalia: belts, extensions, buckles, fasteners and small finishing items. These elements may seem secondary, but they are essential to ensure the comfort and proper fit of the equipment.
Efficient organisation of materials also makes it easier to prepare for labours and to ensure that every item needed for the meeting is available when required.
Store
Preserve regalia, carpets, banners and accessories between meetings.
Maintain
Keep fabrics, embroidery and materials in the best possible condition.
Organise
Make it easier to prepare for each meeting and ceremony.
How to choose your lodge equipment?
The choice of equipment for a Masonic lodge must above all take into account the rite practised and the customs of the workshop. Some items of equipment are common to many traditions, while others follow particular rules or practices.
It is therefore advisable to check the conformity of equipment before ordering, particularly for lodge carpets, banners, columns and symbolic elements.
The quality of manufacture is also an essential criterion. Lodge equipment is often intended to be used for many years. Sturdy fabrics, precise embroidery and durable materials help preserve its appearance and symbolic value.
Lastly, some items of equipment can be custom-made. This is particularly the case for personalised banners, standards or lodge carpets. Being able to work from the workshop's own colours, symbols and graphic elements makes it possible to create truly unique pieces.
The essential criteria to remember
- Respect the customs of the rite and the workshop.
- Favour durable materials and careful finishing.
- Check the quality of the embroidery and printing.
- Choose dimensions suited to the lodge space.
- Plan for suitable storage and conservation solutions.
- Opt for personalisation when the workshop's identity requires it.
Find your lodge equipment at Décors et Symboles
At Décors et Symboles, discover a selection of Masonic lodge tools and accessories designed to accompany the labours and ceremonies.
Our range includes Masonic accessories, items to complete or adjust regalia, as well as equipment selected for its quality and respect for tradition.
Also discover our Fellowcraft degree lodge carpet for the AASR, as well as our various Masonic regalia and accessories for brothers and sisters wishing to have equipment consistent with their rite and their path.
Equipment designed for the lodge
Lodge equipment plays a full part in preparing for and conducting the labours. Its quality and consistency help preserve the visual and symbolic harmony of the Temple.
For special requests or custom pieces, please do not hesitate to contact our team to discuss the options suited to your workshop.
Equipment suited to every workshop
From the gavel to the lodge carpet, from columns to banners, every item helps to create a space that is coherent and suited to the labours. The choice of material should always take into account the rite, the traditions and the specific needs of the lodge.
Frequently asked questions about Masonic lodge equipment
What equipment is essential in a Masonic lodge?
Equipment varies according to the rite and the customs of each workshop. The most common items include gavels, the lodge carpet or tracing board, columns, candlesticks, torches, as well as various accessories and equipment needed to organise the labours.
What is a Masonic lodge carpet used for?
The lodge carpet or tracing board brings together the main symbols associated with a degree and serves as a symbolic and educational support during the labours. Its composition may vary according to the rite and degree concerned.
What is the role of the gavel in Freemasonry?
The gavel is used in particular by the lodge's principal officers to punctuate the labours. It also symbolises the authority required to conduct the meeting and carries a symbolic dimension linked to action and building.
Why are columns present in a Masonic lodge?
The columns play a symbolic role and help to structure the space of the Temple. The columns Jakin and Boaz, in particular, are associated with the tradition of Solomon's Temple. Their representation and arrangement may vary according to the rite.
Can lodge equipment be personalised?
Yes. Certain pieces, particularly banners, standards, lodge carpets and other textile items, can be personalised with the workshop's own colours, symbols and elements.
