In Summary:
The 9th degree, also known as “Elu of the Nine” or “Master of the Temple” in the Southern jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, symbolizes the overcoming of ignorance, error, and intolerance. It is represented by the black border of the apron and the black cordon, which symbolize the suppression of others and the struggle for freedom. Additionally, this degree teaches the true meaning of the Hiramic legend which is related to the building of the temple of Solomon, and that throughout history, there has been a basic conflict between those who seek to suppress others and those who seek to free them. The conflict has usually been bloody. For a better understanding of the degree, it is highly recommended to read the appropriate chapter in “Morals and Dogma: The Annotated Edition”

Initial Note:
[Masonry] is the Hercules, the Osiris, the Apollo, the Mithras, and the Ormazd, at everlasting and deadly feud with the demons of ignorance, brutality, baseness, falsehood, slavishness of soul, intolerance, superstition, tyranny, meanness, the insolence of wealth, and bigotry.

Regalia Notes:
The apron, an emblem of Masonry and Truth, is of white lambskin, lined and bordered in black. The candle, surrounded by darkness, represents the feeble light of ignorance, error, and intolerance with which the world
is shrouded, and through which Masonry moves like a star, dispensing light and knowledge and toleration, symbolized by the star on the flap.

The jewel is a dagger, its hilt of gold and its blade of silver. These two metals in combination symbolize the brilliance of the combined light of the sun and the moon. We also see this meaning in the ancient Han characters of China where the character for ‘sun’ is merged with the character for ‘moon’ to form the character for ‘brilliant’.

This dagger is not an emblem of false bravery but of the weapons of legitimate warfare, which an Elu of Nine may lawfully use, and especially of the two-edged sword of truth with which every Mason should be armed. A reference to the dagger is also found in the lecture for the Knight of the Brazen Serpent Degree, “Even the dagger of the Elu of the
Nine is that used by the Mysteries of Mithras [a Persian deity]; which, with its blade black and hilt white, was an emblem of the two principles of Light and Darkness” (p. 506). We shall see this symbol repeated in the poniard of the 30th Degree.

The cordon is a broad, black watered ribbon, worn from the right shoulder to the left hip; from the end of the cordon hangs the jewel. At the lower end are nine red rosettes, four on each side and one at the bottom. The rosettes symbolize the original nine Elus or ‘Elected’ who were chosen by King Solomon to seek out the assassins of Hiram.

They also represent the nine virtues taught in this degree; disinterestedness, courtesy, devotion, firmness, frankness,
generosity, self-denial, heroism, and patriotism. The color of the cordon reminds us ever to lament the prevalence of ignorance, oppression, and error. We should strive to overcome them by means of the above excellent qualities of an Elu of Nine.

Duties are:
• To enlighten our souls and minds. To instruct and enlighten the Ignorance is the principal enemy of human freedom.
people. To be vigilant to the interests and honor of our country.

For Reflection:
• Do principles shape and control your conduct or are you guided by sentiment?

Lessons:
• Ignorance is the principal enemy of human freedom. A free press is indispensable to true liberty. Remorse and guilt are God’s punishment and are more severe than that of man.

Important Symbols:
• The assassin Abiram, the cave with a pale light and fountain, the stranger Pharos, Master Hiram as Human Freedom.

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