Masonic Rings by Fox Jewelry

Buzz Aldrin is an American aviator and astronaut who was the Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 11, the first lunar landing. He and mission commander Neil Armstrong were the first persons to land on the Moon; shortly afterward he became the second man to set foot on the Moon. Buzz like many other famous Masons wore a Master Mason Ring.

Actor, Singer. Major League Baseball Team Owner. Known by many as “The Singing Cowboy,” he is best remembered for his songs “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” and his theme song, “Back in the Saddle Again” (1941). Born Orvon Gene Autry near Tioga, Texas, he worked as a laborer for the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad in Oklahoma after graduating from high school. According to Hollywood lore, he was discovered by Will Rogers, singing for his own amusement in a telegraph office in Oklahoma, and Rogers suggested he go to Hollywood.  To see a sample of a Blue Lodge Ring otherwise known as a Masonic Ring, visit Fox Jewelry

My travels this week took me to Tampa Florida and the surrounding area. I wish that I would have had a chance to visit with some of my brothers in the Tampa area but unfortunately did not have the time. Shown above is a picture of Lodge # 25 in Tampa Florida.The building was completed in 1928, and was designed by a group of architects who were themselves members of the Freemasonic Fraternity. They donated their design to the Lodge. It is reported that they used architectural elements from three different Italian cathedral buildings in designing this edifice.Hillsborough Lodge currently has the largest membership of any Lodge in the State of Florida, with over 1200 subscribing members.  This building is the fourth to house Hillsborough Lodge No. 25, F&AM, since it was founded in 1850. Members of Lodge # 24 wear Masonic Rings similar to those found at Fox Jewelry.

Brother Marion Morrison, better known by his stage name “John Wayne” became an American movie icon, starring in over 140 films. Born in Winterset Iowa on May 26, 1907, he was initiated on July 9. 1970, passed July 10 and was raised July 11. On August 27 he returned his Master Mason proficiency and became a member of Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 5 in Tucson Arizona. Examples of Masonic Rings can be found at Fox Jewelry.

No individual can speak for Freemasonry, an individual may only express a personal view which may, or may not, be shared by other Freemasons.  In many countries the Letter ‘G’ is taken to mean God, the Supreme Being, and whilst it is an interpretation held by many Freemasons it is not a universal view. An example of this can be found on the Masonic Ring worn by a Master Mason.

At one time, when very few were could read, the use of symbolism was widespread. It was a form of visual shorthand. Symbols were easily recognized, and understood, but as literacy increased the need for symbolism declined. In centuries past, symbols, especially religious symbols, were common throughout Christendom. The Compass and Square, the symbol of the 3rd degree Master Mason is found on the Masonic Rings found at Fox Jewelry.

Prince Hall was a black man who was initiated into Freemasonry in a military lodge. The lodge he later formed was recognized by the Grand Lodge of England and therefore was regular in every way. Never-the-less, many white Grand Lodges did not and do not recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry as regular. Some have recently recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodges. Many Prince Hall Masons wear the Master Mason Masonic Ring found at Fox Jewelry.

Within Freemasonry, the color blue is a symbol of universal friendship and benevolence, as it is the color of the vault of heaven. Blue is the only color other than white which should be used in a Master’s Lodge for decorations. Within the Blue Lodge are conferred the Craft Degrees.  These Masonic rituals represent three degrees which are taken in sequence.  First, the Entered Apprentice Degree, second, the Fellow Craft Degree and finally, the Master Mason Degree. Once a candidate reaches the status of Master Mason, he is entitled to wear the Master Mason Masonic Ring such as the ones found at Fox Jewelry.

Initiated: September 30, 1949, Malta Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford (1924-) and James Francis Ford (1927- ). The Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May 18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge. Brother Ford was made a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, and Honorary Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R. Northern Jurisdiction at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, on September 26, 1962, for which he served as Exemplar (Representative) for his Class. Brother and President Ford was unanimously elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-9, 1975; Brother Ford held this post until January 1977, at which time he became a Past Honorary Grand Master, receiving his Collar and Jewel on October 24, 1978 in Topeka, Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of DeMolay.Ford’s reputation for integrity and openness had made him popular during his 25 years in Congress. From 1965 to 1973, he was House Minority Leader. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1913, he grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He starred on the University of Michigan football team, then went to Yale, where he served as assistant coach while earning his law degree. An example of a Masonic Ring is found at Fox Jewelry.