Chapter of Rose Croix
The Chapter of Rose Croix, the 15th through 18th degrees, attempts to provide the candidate with a deeper understanding of religion, philosophy, ethics and history though a variety of complex “historical degrees”. The intellectual challenges presented in these degrees are numerous, and at times overwhelming and can take years to master.
15° – Knight of the East, of the Sword or of the Eagle
Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement are the lessons of this degree. The striking crimson velvet apron of this degree is edged with green, having a bleeding head above two crossed swords, and a triangle (top point to the left) with three interlaced triangles inside it. The jewel is three golden concentric triangles encompassing two crossed swords.
16° – Prince of Jerusalem
We learn “heroism of patience, the nobility of self-sacrifice” and compassionate judgment, along with charity, fidelity and brotherhood. This crimson apron is edged in gold and aurora-color, and with a square, shield, Delta (with three YODs), balance and a hand of justice. The jewel worn is a mother-of-pearl lozenge with a hand holding a balance in equipoise; under it a sword with five stars surrounding the point. On the left is a Hebrew D, on the right is a Hebrew Z.
17° – Knight of the East & West
The wisdom of this degree is that loyalty to God is man’s primary allegiance and the temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall. The apron worn is of yellow satin, with crimson and gold, and with a sword and Tetractys (of the Tetragrammaton) on it. The jewel is a heptagon of half silver and half gold, with crossed swords on a balance on the obverse and a lamb on the Book of Seven Seals on the reverse. The jewel is hung from a double order – one black (left-to-right) and one white (right-to-left), representing good versus evil. A gold coronet is also presented.
18° – Knight Rose Croix
This degree emphasizes that life and its strength come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many cultures. One is also taught to be tolerant of others errors and their faults. The apron worn is of white leather or satin, bordered in red, with a skull and cross-bones, a red passion cross, and three red rosettes. The grand jewel is a gold compass open a quarter circle. A rose-cross is between the legs of the compass and under it is a pelican, tearing its breast to feed its seven young on the obverse and an eagle with wings extended on the reverse. On the circle are the letters I.N.R.I.
Republished with permission from The Supreme Council, 33°, A.&A.S.R. of Freemasonry, S.J., USA
Paintings by Bro. Robert H. White, 32°, from the Hall of Scottish Rite Regalia, House of the Temple, Washington, DC. © The Supreme Council, 33°, SJ, USA. All rights reserved.
Permission to use the paintings on this page was granted to the Orient of Virginia solely for its use on its web site to accompany descriptions of the Scottish Rite Degrees and these files are not be shared or distributed. If you wish to use these images for any additional purpose, please contact the Supreme Council, 33°, SJ, USA. to obtain permission. https://scottishrite.org/media-publications/media-graphics-requests/
The regalia pictures and excerpts from the degree descriptions on the linked pages are from the book,
" A Bridge to Light" by Ill. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°.
Copyright 1988, 1995, 2006 by the
Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry,
Southern Jurisdiction of the USA.