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A question which has been posed MANY times over the years of this website's existence relates to the wearing of a Masonic ring from a now-deceased relative. Men - and sometimes women - want to honor the memory of a grandfather or some other beloved family member by wearing a ring which meant so very much to them.
The
question never arises from Masons: they're entitled to wear that emblem and
having a ring with a connection to someone who had 'traveled' as a Mason before
is just one more link in an indissoluble chain linking members for over three
centuries. For the non-Mason, though, it's a different matter.
Minimizing the feelings, real or imagined, that one has for a deceased relative is not our intent. We would, however, encourage you to consider for a moment just exactly what made HIS ring important to HIM!
How did he get it? Was it a present from his wife? Perhaps it was given to him by his lodge for exceptional service. Maybe he bought it himself after a lengthy period of saving. Rarely is this background known and thus it's importance (and, dare we suggest, a great portion of his affection for it) has already been lost.
Regardless of how he came by it, we do know that it was a singularly important possession. It reminded him of the ceremonies through which he had passed, the promises he had made before his Maker and before his lodge, and it served as a constant reminder to strive to be better each and every day. Does it mean all this to you? It did to him!
If this relative was a police officer, for example, would you wear his badge on your shirt? Not likely. Why? Because - to begin - there are laws which prohibit a person from 'pretending' to be a police officer. There are no such laws governing the wearing of Masonic regalia but why would you feel the need to pretend to be something you're not: a Freemason!
I
know, I know: you're not pretending. You're simply remembering that favorite
relative. But does the world know that? If you're a man and are wearing a
Masonic ring, what's the assumption that everyone will - probably quite rightly
- make? Sure, they shouldn't - but they do. Are you going to live up to the high
ideals expected of a Mason - when you know nothing whatsoever about them? Will
you come to the aid of a distressed Brother Mason when you have no idea that
it's expected of you?
And finally, let me assure you without fear of correction from ANY Mason: there is NO Mason who would want a non-Mason to wear their ring REGARDLESS of the motivation. Period.
They EARNED the right to display the square and compasses or any of the other Masonic emblems. They were investigated by Masons and found worthy to join. You have not met that threshold - and you're not entitled.
While it's understandable that some will have a strong impulse to remember a deceased relative by wearing something that meant SO much to him, he would not want you to do it. Period.
<Created 1 November 2012
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