About Ark Mariners
Royal Ark Mariners of Victoria
About Ark Mariners
Ark Mariners Victoria
Like many degrees, and orders in masonry, the origin of the Royal Ark Mariner degree is obscure. The legend of Noah and the Ark was often acted out throughout England in the Mystery Plays of the seventeenth century. There are several references to the story of Noah and the Ark in early masonic manuscripts, including Anderson’s constitutions of 1723 in which he writes: “that this word “Noachida” was the first name of Masons according to some old traditions.” However, the earliest authenticated minuted record of a Royal Ark Mariner Degree ceremony, in a form that we would recognise, was in the city of Bath England in the year 1790.
In early records of Craft Freemasonry, significant mention is made of Noah and the Flood. However, the emphasis on Noah was not to do with the Royal Ark Mariner degree, as we know it, but on transference of sacred knowledge.
The main officers of a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge represent Noah and his Sons Japheth and Shem who were charged with passing on the sacred knowledge of the hidden mysteries to the new generation of humanity.
The Candidate for this degree represents one of that new generation. The ceremony involves the aspirant making a new beginning or adopting a new outlook on life; the degree is a true initiatory rite. The candidate enters the lodge room surrounded by wisdom, strength and beauty; these essential masonic attributes do not however stand alone; for there is wisdom in beauty as there is strength in wisdom. There is wisdom in harmony, which is the strength and support of all societies – just as there is strength in the wisdom of knowing one’s self.
The form of a Royal Ark Mariner lodge is a triangular arrangement; the triangle or delta is central to the whole ceremony. This triangular outline of the Lodge is distinctly different and is unique from that of a Craft or Mark Lodge; the triangles placed within the room symbolise, amongst other things, the ultimate relationship a Brother seeks with his God and subtly points out the separation that has occurred between God and man and the aspirant’s ultimate goal, which should be his reintegration with his Creator.
The presiding officer in a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge is the Worshipful Commander. The Ceremony of his Installation, or Enthronement, is widely considered to be one of the most impressive in all Masonry. The Fraternity is administered by the Mark Degree, and the office of Grand Commander is filled by the incumbent Grand Master of Mark Master Masons of Victoria.
But despite its great age, it is essentially a thinking man’s degree, conducted in a friendly, intimate and rewarding atmosphere. Current membership of the Mark degree is a mandatory requirement for admission.
The Regalia of Royal Ark Mariner Masonry consists of Apron, Sash and Jewel: The rainbow ribbon which decorates the regalia of the degree provides a colourful spectacle to all its ceremonies.
The Jewel is a segmented plate representing a rainbow, suspended from which is a Dove with an Olive Branch in its mouth. The Commander wears a Crimson Robe with a Yellow border. Japeth wears a Green Robe with a Red Border and Shem whereas a Blue Robe with a White Border. The Chaplain wears a Black Robe with Green Stole in place of the usual Officer’s Collar. Deacons and Guardian wear White Robes bordered with rainbow ribbon.
The Royal Ark Mariner degree in freemasonry is in essence a ritualised ceremony about rebirth or a reawakening and a desire for a reconnection with our Creator or as our ritual defines: The Supreme and Eternal Grand Commander of the Universe.