Royal Arch Mason (Masonic)

ROYAL ARCH MASON (MASONIC) -  

The compound character known as the triple tau is one of the Royal Arch’s emblems.  A triple tau is literally “three Tau’s,” the tau being the nineteenth letter in the Greek Alphabet.  The triple tau of Royal Arch Masonry consists of 3 T's linked in the center joined at their base.  This mystical character can be signified in a few different ways.  

• First, the names Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abif appear in the Phoenician language with the same letters “H” and “T” as they do in English.  Therefore, the Triple Tau takes on the interpretation of the initial letters in Hiram Abif’s name.  
• Second, it signifies also T. H., Templum Hierosolym, the Temple of Jerusalem, and when used as the Royal Arch symbol, some jurisdictions teach that the wearer acknowledges himself a servant of God.
• Thirdly, Christians in Greek or Roman influence anciently used a tau cross. The basis of a triple tau in early church history would mean the trinity of father, son, and holy spirit.  A belief in the triune nature of godhead is common to many faiths and religions.
• A triangle is a simple shape in geometry that has taken on great spiritual significance and symbolism. The equilateral triangle was revered by ancient nations as containing the greatest and most abstruse mysteries, and as a symbol of God, denoting a triad of intelligence, a triad of deity, a triune God.  The equilateral triangle shows equality with its three angles of the same degrees.  In one way, it best represents deity by its equality or perfection in design and proportion. The triangle is a symbol of divine union, and an emblem of the mysterious triune, equally representing the attributes of deity, and his triune essence: omnipotence (all powerful), omnipresence (eternal) and omniscience (all knowing).
   

Royal Arch Masonry (also known as "Capitular Masonry") is the first part of the York Rite system of Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter, and the Royal Arch Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.