In Summary:
The 22nd degree “Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus” in the southern jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite emphasizes work ethics. This degree teaches that by doing good work, one can improve one’s character and become a better citizen. The apron worn in this degree is white, bordered in purple, and contains a three-headed serpent and a table with instruments and plans on it. The jewel is an axe and handle of gold. The symbolic meaning of the color purple is the same as in the 13th degree, which is a mixture of spirituality and zeal

Initial Note:
This degree teaches, “if a job is worth doing its worth doing well”. By doing good work we improve character and become better citizens.

Regalia Notes:
The apron is white, lined and bordered with purple. In the middle is embroidered a round table, on which are mathematical instruments and unrolled plans. On the flap is a serpent with three heads, denoting idleness, the body from which issues the three vices symbolised by the heads: drunkenness, impurity and gaming.

By these vices many youths have been lost and many great nations have sunk into ignoble imbecility and shameful bondage. The Cordon is a broad rainbow- coloured ribbon, lined with purple. It is worn as a collar or may be worn as a sash, from right to left.

The jewel, suspended from the collar, is a gold axe and handle, the symbol of the great agent of civilisation and improvement. Troops armed with this weapon have conquered barbarism.

Under its blow the primeval forests disappear; the early farmer displaces the wild hunter; to the rude barbarism of the early ages succeed settled society, laws and all the arts that refine and elevate mankind. The axe is nobler than the sword.

Masonry hews at those mighty trees, intolerance, bigotry, superstition, uncharitableness and idleness, thereby letting in the light of truth and reason upon the human mind, which these vices have darkened for centuries.

The letters on the top are the initials of Noah and Solomon; those on the handle, of Libanus and Tsidunian; those on one side of the blade, of Adonirum, Kuros, Darius, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and Azra; and those on the other side, of Shem, Kham, Yapheth, Moses, Aholiab and Betselal.

These names represent the various places and persons significant in the use of the cedars of Lebanon for ‘Holy Enterprises’; examples include Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Temple, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple by Zerubbabel.

Webmaster’s note: The rainbow colours do NOT have anything to do with any political or gender movement such as LGBTQ rights etc… This regalia was developed well before any such type movement was even mentally conceived. The colours are purely spiritual and refer to the prince of Libanus. The regalia, just like everything else in Freemasonry, is NOT political or gender based at all, whatsoever.

Duties are:
• Respect labour for its own sake, and do work.

For Reflection:
• If one finds for himself esteem in his labours, does the prestige associated with his labours matter?

Lessons:
• Work is the mission of man.

Important Symbols:
• The cedars of Lebanon, carpenters tools; saw, plane and axe.

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Additional Notes:
Despite the mention of King Solomon’s Temple in this degree we are not returning to the Hiramic Legend. The time is the Middle Ages, for the candidate comes dressed as a German (or Prussian) Knight, a crusader in the Holy Land. He has travelled to Mount Libanus (or Lebanon) to obtain the degree of Prince of Libanus.

According to the ritual, this degree was learned by the Crusaders from the Druses (or Druzes), an Islamic sect inhabiting the area. The Druse are a mystical group characterized by an ecletic system of doctrines and by a remarkable cohesion and loyalty among its members. They permit no conversion, either from or to their religion, and no intermarriage. While very little is known about the Druse, because of their secrecy, it is believed a number of groups accepted this religious system but only the Druse of Lebanon survive.

Their religious doctrines appear to be an amalgamation of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Gnosticism and other beliefs prevalent about 1,000 AD. They have various degrees of initiation recognising the elite or ‘knowers’ who participate fully and have access to all the Druse religious doctrines. Simplicity of attire, self-denial, temperance and irreproachable moral conduct are prerequisites to join this group of elites.

This degree explains that the Druse perpetuated an institution originating in Rome about 700 BC. called Colleges of Artificers which are simply described as operative groups of artisans, much as carpenters or goldsmiths. Parallels between these colleges and Freemasonry exist which have caused some scholars to trace the roots of Masonry to them.

According to a legend, the Tyrians or Phoenicians were ever ready to aid the Israelites in their holy enterprises. The tie between them was the mysteries, into which the principal persons of both nations were initiated; Moses necessarily received them in Egypt, before he could marry the daughter of a priest of Heliopolis. These mysteries, modified by Solomon, or perhaps at an earlier date by Joshua or even Moses, became in some respects like Masonry, such as it was practiced at the building of the Temple, and as such as it has in part come down to us. Hiram, King of Tyre in Phoenicia, and Hiram Abif, whose father was a Phoenician and not a Jew, were likewise initiates. Hence, the intimate connection between them and Solomon, bound together by obligation, as Masons are today.

Upon Mount Lebanon the College of Artificer was established, like those of Rome. These artificers everywhere maintained their rights and privileges and had their signs and words, by which to recognise each other. Solomon himself, whose wisdom necessarily gave him a true idea of labour, built a palace on the mountain, to which he often repaired to inspect the progress of the work.

Although only a legend, the ritual further suggests that the Colleges of Rome may have been derived from the ancient people who inhabited the Mount Lebanon area and supplied cedar for the building of Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant and Solomon’s Temple. This legend accounts for bodies of this degree being called Colleges, the events in the drama and much of its symbolism.

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