In Summary:
The 15th degree is known as “Knight of the East, of the Sword, of the Eagle” and is based on the story of the rebuilding of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. It also is based on the story of Zerubbabel and the reconstruction of the Temple after the Babylonian captivity. The degree teaches the lesson of the importance of unity and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Initial Note:
In this degree “we learn fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement.”

Regalia Notes:
The cordon of a Knight of the East is a broad, green watered ribbon, worn as a baldric, from the left to right, without a jewel. Also among the clothing of this degree is a broad sash of white watered silk edged on the upper side and fringed with gold on the lower. It is worn around the waist with the ends hanging down on the left side. On one end there is a gold-arched bridge with the letters L.D.P. over the arch.

Suspended from the right side is a small silver trowel. The apron is crimson velvet. On the flap is an embroidered gold bleeding head over crossed swords. In the center are three nested gold triangles formed from chains with triangular links.

These represent the chains on the human intellect; tyranny, superstition, and privilege. The velvet signifies that the honors of Masonry are more precious than the gift of kings. The jewel is three nested triangles of gold. In the center are two crossed swords, points upward, the hilts resting on the base of the inner triangle. The nested triangles symbolize liberty, equality, and fraternity; and also law, order, and subordination. The crossed swords, truth, and justice.

There are additional decorations peculiar to this degree: green kid gloves and a black broad-brimmed hat with a green plume. Green, the dominant symbolic color, represents here the immortality of the human soul and even of Masonry itself. As you may recall in the 3rd Degree of the Symbolic Lodge, Fellow-crafts present themselves before King Solomon clad in white gloves. White gloves are also worn in the 14th Degree of the Scottish Rite. In both instances, they are a symbol of innocence, and cleanliness of mind, heart, and soul.

Duties are:
• Rebuild the Masonic temple of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the souls of men and of nations.

For Reflection:
• Is equality the basis of all freedom?

Lessons:
• Fidelity to trust, honor and duty. Perseverance and constancy under difficulties and discouragements.

Important Symbols:
• Bridge with letters L.D.P., the colors green, white and red, the trowel, and the sword.

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Additional Notes:
We have now reached the portal of a new allegory with an even more elaborate symbolism than previous degrees, for here we begin the Masonic allegory of the Second Temple. The people of Israel, having followed Solomon into the worship of lesser gods, find themselves abandoned by the Lord. Taken as captives and slaves into Babylon, they serve a period of retribution longer even than their wanderings in the wilderness following their flight from Egypt under Moses which lasted 40 years. The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years. This number is represented in the age of a Knight of the East- ten weeks of days, or 70 days. There comes into the small group of the people of Israel a type of the Perfect Elu, Zerubbabel, a Prince of Israel, who beseeches the Babylonian monarch, Cyrus, to free his people and allow them to rebuild the city and the House of the Lord.

The alternate names of this degree — Knight of the Sword and Knight of the Eagle — Attest to its long and varied history and inclusion in the many Rites of Freemasonry. The title, Knight of the Sword, alludes to the legend that the Freemasons, in building the Second Temple, worked with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other (Nehemiah 4:17-18). The other name, Knight of the Eagle, is based on the symbolic meaning of the eagle in this degree — Liberty.

Sources:
Purchase ‘A Bridge To Light‘ by Rex R. Hutchens
Purchase ‘Morals & Dogma‘ by Albert Pike.