Not!
"Bro. Masons of all types are showing their love for the Craft through the ancient art of tattoo. The symbols and tenets of Freemasonry are cherished, honored and protected by brothers who have made their commitment to Freemasonry literally a part of themselves, as a badge and reminder."
... and so reads the intro at Masonic Ink, a website with pictures of men who have one (or typically several) cool tatts with a distinctive Masonic flair. Not content with mere Square & Compasses, these men have all varieties of symbols, ranging from Past Master's Jewels to the 47th problem of Euclid to Shrine and Scottish Rite symbols, to columns and tessellated flooring, and most in eye-popping color and fantastic rendering.
Anyone who thinks that Masons are just some dumpy old guys should note the generally (but not exclusively) younger appearing Masons on this site. Our membership in general may be down, but certainly this speaks to a resurgence in interest among the under 40 crowd.
These aren't just tatts, dear reader; this is some serious body art. I spent a good half hour looking at some of the fantastic designs, and by the end of the website it made me start thinking about perhaps getting one of my own. Really impressive works, and I extend kudos for Bro. Drew at The Master's Jewel for hosting this really impressive display.
Now, does anyone have a link for some Masonic piercings?
Freemasonry | Tattoos | Body Mods | Body Art | Tao of Masonry
Posts
11 Comments:
With a little leadership chances are a load of brothers in
Friendship #33 Southington, CT
Founded in 1795
would get identicle tattoos.
What we need is the Master and Senior Warden to set the example.
Something not too garish might be in order.
acr - I'm sure you've seen the new Friendship Lodge logo for our shirts:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Friendshiplodge33/
Maybe we could get the artistically minded Kyle to modify this for a tattoo. I think I might actually be brave enough to get one.
I'll teach you how to link next time I see you.
Yahoo groups Friendship Lodge #33
Oh, like this?
Geez, I can't slack off for a minute around you, can I?
Tom Accuosti said... "
Oh, like this?"
Yeah, like that!
Hey! I resemble that "dumpy guy" comment! Ha ha ha!!! Great Blog!
Darren Simpson
Hey, I resemble my remark, too! But our lodge graphic designer is going to work with me to create a couple of designs for the guys brave enough to go for it.
I'm getting Raised to Master on August 1st, and I'm only 27 years old. Speaking of Tattoos.. I'm sure my first Masonic tattoo will be done by the end of the year!!!
Make sure that you post a picture of it on the website! The Masonic tatts are really becoming popular this year.
An "oxymoron" is a thing which is characterized by inherently incongruous or contradictory elements. For instance, a "smart fool," a "salty candy," a "soggy desert," etc.
A Masonic tatoo is what many would consider an oxymoron because the wearer has chosen to do something that demonstrates a certain lack of the kind of prudence, restraint, moderation and temperance that is taught in Masonic degrees.
Of the three great duties that you, as a Mason, are taught to inculcate, the third charges you to avoid "all irregularity and intemperance, which may ... debase the dignity of your profession." We are assured that "a zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and private esteem."
But, a Masonic tatoo says to the casual observer, "I'm enthusiastic about being a Mason, even to the point that I am willing to do something incredibly tasteless and intemperate to display my membership, therefore also demonstrating that I have learned nothing of Masonry's lessons."
Other examples of this kind of missplaced enthusiasm would include a minister who is so enthusiastic about being a minister that he would would wear his collar anywhere he went, including wearing it into a house of ill repute; or an Eagle Scout who is so proud of being an Eagle Scout that he wears his uniform all the time, even when he is doing something that he should not.
Would you want to be a member of a fraternity whose members do not frown upon, say, eyebrow rings with the fraternity logo? I wouldn't.
Anon - you didn't leave a name by which I can address you, so for the nonce I'm thinking of you as Mr. Temperance.
First off, in the mainstream lodges, in most of the US states, the charge to which you refer is in the very first degree. Yet, you fail to state what is intemperate or immoderate about tattoos.
Secondly, I'm having a hard time with the analogy of getting a tattoo with that of a minister patronizing a whorehouse.
Thirdly, I don't understand the problem with members getting an eyebrow piercing.
And lastly, the next charge a brother hears specifically states: "... it is the internal, and not the external qualifications of a man that Masonry regards."
I have a few brothers with piercings in various places, tattoos, long hair, shaved heads, you name it. All of them, however, are good men and true, and believe in the moral lessons of our craft, and try to improve themselves as a result of them. That's certainly all I need to consider them "brothers." I'm sorry that you don't see it the same way.
Post a Comment