If the apron is the “badge of a Mason” in Blue Lodge, the cap can be said to be the public badge of a Scottish Rite Mason. In our Order, the cap is a prayer cap in the Jewish tradition and a symbol of the Scottish Rite Mason as a soldier in the “Empire of Intellect, Reason, Philosophy, and Wise Morality” (32°). Similarly, a cap was worn by English knights, including the Templars, and was later given military significance by British regimental soldiers in the 19th century. The Supreme Council adopted the present caps in 1927.
The cap is considered a part of the uniform and is treated as such. Consequently, it must not be removed when the flag passes while saying the Pledge of Allegiance or participating in prayer. On such occasions as the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or performance of the national anthem, the cap remains on the head, and Scottish Rite Masons place their right hand on their heart. During prayer, the cap remains in place, but the head is slightly bowed, and the hands are placed in the “Sign of the Good Shepherd”: the left arm folded over the right with fingers outstretched and touching the shoulders comfortably. This dignified position reflects the compassionate spirit of the Scottish Rite in recalling the Good Shepherd as He carried a lamb over His neck, holding its feet with His crossed hands.
At the Supreme Council's 1999 Executive Session, it was agreed that the wearing of the Scottish rite caps in public should (as stated in the Statutes Article XV, Sec. 21) be left to the discretion of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy in his Orient. The Supreme Council agreed that if wearing the cap is in good taste and appropriate for a positive Scottish rite image, it is time to educate the general public regarding the cap, who is wearing it, and the organization it represents.
The cap of a Master of the Royal Secret is of circular black silk. It is surrounded by a black band that is trimmed in gold. It is a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned by a double-headed eagle in gold bouillon, above whose heads is a red triangle, embellished by golden rays, and bearing the numeral 32.
The cap of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor is of circular red silk. It is surrounded by a red band that is trimmed in gold. It has a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned by an embroidered version of the jewel, trimmed in gold bullion wire.
“Masonry is the duty, and it honors the reward of work, which is the performance of duty.” These words, from the ritual of the 4° Secret Master, are perhaps understood no better than by those who have labored for many years in the quarries of Masonry. For those who have been Scottish Rite Masons for no less than fifty years, the Supreme Council's Fifty-Year cap is truly a crown of honor.
The cap is of circular blue silk and is surrounded by a similar blue band trimmed in gold. It has a gold cord extending across its top and is affixed at both sides by a gold button embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front is adorned above the band by the numeral 50 surrounded by a green silk embroidered laurel wreath.
The cap of a Grand Cross of the Court of Honor is of circular white silk. It is surrounded by a blue band which is trimmed in gold. It has a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned by an embroidered copy of the jewel, which is trimmed with gold bullion wire.
The cap of a Deputy of the Supreme Council is of circular white silk. It is surrounded by a scarlet band which is trimmed in gold. It has a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned by a Patriarchal Cross, which is trimmed with gold bullion wire.
The cap of a Sovereign Grand Inspector General is of circular violet silk. It is surrounded by a violet band slightly darker than the cap itself, and this is trimmed in gold. The band is adorned with laurel vine, leaf, and berry. The cap has a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned by a purple Patriarchal Cross with crosslets, which is trimmed with gold bullion wire.
The cap of the Sovereign Grand Commander is of circular purple silk. It is surrounded by a purple band slightly darker than the cap itself, and this is trimmed in gold. The band is adorned with laurel vine, leaf, and berry. The cap has a gold cord, which extends across its top, and is affixed at both sides by a gold button, which is embossed with a double-headed eagle. The front of the cap is adorned with a slanting three-armed purple Cross of Salem with crosslets, which is trimmed with gold bullion wire.