Technical Chapter 5666 - 5th May 2026 - By Anthony James - ProvGstB

At 6:30pm, the Companions were called to stand and receive the Three Principals, who proceeded to open the Chapter in the traditional manner.

The first order of business was for the MEZ to invest those officers who had been unable to attend the Installation meeting. Companion Allan McKay was invested as Scribe N, and Companion Nandakumar Pisharam was invested as Assistant Scribe E. Following this, the minutes of the last regular Chapter meeting were presented and confirmed by the Companions as an accurate record.

The evening then moved to its main item of business, an excellent presentation on the Banners of the Holy Royal Arch Chapters of Jerusalem. With Companions a little scarce on the ground this evening, it seems only fitting that the focus should be placed on the presentation delivered by E. Comp. Ken Eyre, from the Provincial Learning and Development Team, and what we learned from it.

E. Comp. Eyre gave a clear, engaging, and informative talk, helping to bring greater understanding to the symbolism and meaning behind the Royal Arch banners. His presentation added real interest to the evening and served as a valuable reminder that every emblem within the Chapter carries purpose, history, and significance.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel and Their Symbolism Within the Holy Royal Arch

Within the Holy Royal Arch in English Freemasonry, few symbols carry as much meaning as the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the banners displayed around the Chapter. These are far more than decorative pieces. They are deeply connected to the ceremonial and spiritual foundations of Royal Arch Masonry and draw heavily from the imagery and teachings of the Old Testament.

Under the English Constitution and the authority of the Supreme Grand Chapter, the Twelve Tribes form part of the wider symbolism of restoration, rebuilding, and the rediscovery of sacred truth.

The Historical Background

The Holy Royal Arch is based upon the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. This rebuilding effort was led by:

· Zerubbabel

· Haggai

· Joshua, also known as Jeshua the High Priest

The story is drawn mainly from the Biblical Books of Ezra, Haggai, and Nehemiah. It is a narrative of hope after destruction, rebuilding after loss, and the search for truth amongst the ruins of the past.

For Royal Arch Companions, the rebuilding of the Temple carries both a literal and symbolic meaning. It represents not only the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem, but also the rebuilding of the individual through wisdom, understanding, and spiritual growth.

The Twelve Tribes and Their Symbols

Each of the Twelve Tribes is associated with a traditional emblem representing particular virtues and characteristics.

· Reuben is represented by a man or human face, symbolising vision and humanity.

· Simeon is represented by a sword or city gate, symbolising justice and vigilance.

· Levi is represented by the breastplate or priesthood, symbolising sacred service.

· Judah is represented by the lion, symbolising kingship and strength.

· Zebulun is represented by a ship, symbolising commerce and journey.

· Issachar is represented by an ass beneath a burden, symbolising labour and patience.

· Dan is represented by the eagle, symbolising judgement and spiritual elevation.

· Gad is represented by a tent or troop, symbolising readiness and defence.

· Asher is represented by a tree or overflowing cup, symbolising prosperity.

· Naphtali is represented by a hind or deer, symbolising freedom and swiftness.

· Joseph or Ephraim is represented by the ox, symbolising endurance and fruitfulness.

· Benjamin is represented by the wolf, symbolising courage and protection.

These banners symbolically surround the Chapter in the same way the tribes surrounded the Tabernacle during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness.

Within the Holy Royal Arch, the Twelve Tribes symbolise:

· Unity

· Restoration

· Divine order

· Spiritual completeness

· Humanity gathered around sacred truth

The arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle represented harmony and structure centred upon the presence of God. Within Royal Arch Masonry, this serves as a reminder that truth and spiritual understanding should remain at the centre of life.

The Four Principal Banners

One of the most recognisable features within many Royal Arch Chapters is the display of the four principal banners above or near the chair of the First Principal.

These represent the four leading tribal standards of the Camp of Israel described in Numbers Chapter 2.

· Judah, represented by the Lion in the East, symbolises kingship, leadership, and strength.

· Reuben, represented by the Man in the South, symbolises humanity, dignity, and vision.

· Ephraim, represented by the Ox in the West, symbolises labour, endurance, and service.

· Dan, represented by the Eagle in the North, symbolises judgement, spiritual awareness, and vigilance.

Together, these four banners represented the ordered encampment of the nation around the sacred centre of the Tabernacle. E. Comp. Ken Eyre informed us of an easy way to remember the order they should appear from left to right, the number of letters in the images of the banners, 2, 3, 4, 5. I will let you work out which banner is which.

A Symbolic Journey of Restoration

The Holy Royal Arch is ultimately a journey of rediscovery. The symbolism of the Twelve Tribes and the Four Principal Banners reinforce the key themes found throughout Royal Arch Masonry:

· Rebuilding after loss

· Restoring sacred truths

· Bringing order from chaos

· Uniting humanity around divine principles

Every banner and emblem within the Chapter carries meaning. Together they remind Companions that wisdom, balance, and spiritual understanding are achieved through harmony, discipline, and the continual search for light.

This was a most informative presentation.

The next item of business was the presentation of Chapter Certificates to Companion Nandakumar Pisharam and Companion Ken Wright. Unfortunately, Companion Ken Wright was unable to attend on this occasion, so his presentation will no doubt take place at a future meeting.

The MEZ, M.E. Comp. Rob Atkinson, then had the pleasure of presenting Companion Nandakumar Pisharam with his Chapter Certificate. This was a fitting and important moment in the evening, marking another step in Companion Nandakumar’s Royal Arch journey.

Various reports were then received, and the remaining business of the Chapter was duly transacted. It was also pleasing to hear the notification that Brother John Hemingway will be joining the Chapter at our July meeting, something which was warmly received by the Companions present.

With the formal business concluded, the Chapter was closed in due and ancient form, after which everyone retired to the Festive Board.

Once again, Luke and his team excelled themselves and delivered a highly enjoyable meal, which was appreciated by all. The evening was made even better by the bonus of a nice early finish, rounding off a pleasant, well-run, and very enjoyable Chapter meeting.