Incredible ‘The Ties that Bind’

The Ties that Bind

Ties that Bind- Freemasonry has always created strong fraternal bonds between its members; the poet and Freemason Robert Burns wrote of the ‘mystic tie’ that exists between Freemasons. In the 1840s that same term was used by a later poet, Brother David Richardson, in a poem he wrote whilst serving with the Bengal Army; the last verse of that poem is familiar to us today as part of a Tylers Toast often given at our festive boards, it begins ‘Dear brethren of the Mystic tie, the night is waning fast’. However, this article is not about such emotional ties, but more mundanely about the neckwear worn by Freemasons.

Ties that Bind - We tend to think of the early Freemasons as wearing black ties, but they were not generally worn until the 1920s; in fact white ties, and before that white neck cloths or stocks, have a much older Masonic history. The 1767 By-laws of the Lodge of Probity No.61 in Halifax said their members had to be ‘decently clad with a white cloth’, and lodge Tylers were instructed not to admit anyone not wearing a white neckcloth. During the 19th century white ties or cravats remained the accepted neckwear in most lodges, although black ties did start to become more popular in the 1860s.                                    

Ties that Bind - The custom of wearing black ties at lodge meetings became more widespread in the early 20th century, when the fashionable evening wear was a dinner jacket, white shirt, and black tie. The continued wearing of black ties with white shirts, even after most lodges had given up wearing evening dress, was largely due to their unofficial adoption as a mark of respect for those who had given their lives in the Great War.

Today aside from the simple black tie and official Craft ties there are also a number of other approved Masonic ties that can be worn when appropriate. These include Provincial, District, and Metropolitan Grand Lodge ties; military, school, college, and livery company ties can also be worn in the appropriate lodges. However, individual lodges cannot just choose or create their own unique ties, and they must always follow Grand Lodge guidance regarding the ties that may be worn at their meetings.

This Ties that Bind post has been created by the West Kent Military lodge for information. If you would like to now more about the Lodge contact us here