The “Forget-Me-Not” By: Bro. Bradrick A. Joyner September 25, 2013 The blue Forget-Me-Not is a symbol with a very basic and appropriate interpretation. It is used by many different groups and organizations, symbolically, as a reminder to tend to those who are needy and less fortunate. For those of you who do not know, the Forget-Me-Not is a beautiful flower. It is often depicted as blue and displayed upon a lapel pin. This symbol holds a special history in German Masonry. From the mid nineteen twenties to World War 2, this symbol was very popular among Masons. Originally, the Craft used the symbol to remind the Brothers of the importance of charity in that time of economic hardships. Hitler, having capitalized on the great depression of that time, gained power and began to pressure and condemn various groups of people. Freemasonry, did not coincide with what Hitler was attempting. Freemasonry was perceived as a threat to the Nazi party. This put the Brothers of the Craft in such danger, that they needed an alternative towards modes of recognition using symbols. The Nazis were well aware that the Square and Compasses were Masonic symbolism, and all Brothers who were found to be in possession of it were prosecuted. Because of this, in 1934, the German Grand Lodge of the Sun used the blue Forget-Me-Not as the temporary replacement for the primary symbol of the Craft. For the next 10 years, The flower lapel-pin was worn through-out Europe so Brothers may recognize each other in public. Many Brothers refused to let the Light of Masonry be dimmed, and the blue Forget-Me-Not gave them the ability to emanate this Light without the danger of being discovered by the Nazis. In 1947, the Grand Lodge of the Sun was reestablished in Bayreuth. The pin of the blue Forget-Me-Not was made the official symbol of the first annual convention for the reopened Grand Lodge As the symbol was previously used to remind Brothers of the importance of charity, the symbol now also represented those Brothers who had persevered through the dark reign of the Nazi party and had kept Masonry alive. We witnessed the evolution of a Masonic symbol. Originally, it was an aide to remind Brothers of the importance of giving to the less fortunate, later it became a means of protection from prosecution, and finally it was dedicated to those Brothers that had endured those interesting times. I proudly sport the blue Forget-Me-Not lapel-pin for all three purposes. While I may not be in direct danger by wearing a square and compasses, I do not desire the attention it can sometimes receive from those who are not in search of Light. More-so, it is to remind my self to help those who are less fortunate and also, of the Brothers in Germany who helped Masonry stay alive through those difficult years. Even though I may not be German, they are still my Brothers.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 05:45:01 +0000
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