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Royal Ark Mariner

The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner, more commonly known as RAM, has been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons since 1871 and is governed by the Grand Master’s Royal Ark Council.

History

However, its early history is obscure. Statutes refer to Grand Lodge being reconstituted in 1772. It is recorded that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons took possession of the rights to the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner on 10 June 1884 for just £25.

Lodges are attached, or moored, to Mark Lodges assuming their Number in the Roll and to be a member; the Candidate has to have been advanced as a Mark Master Mason. There, the similarity ends. In chronological terms, it precedes the Mark by hundreds of years because it relates to the building and voyage of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood and has none of the other characters we meet in Freemasonry.

There are no individual Ranks within either Province or Grand Lodge. Brethren holding those Ranks suffix their name with Royal Ark Mariner Provincial Grand Rank or Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. The Grand Master of the Mark is, ipso facto, the Grand Master of the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner.

The Royal Ark Mariner Degree draws its inspiration from the biblical account of Noah’s Ark as detailed in the Book of Genesis. This narrative serves as a metaphor for themes of survival, divine covenant, and moral rectitude. The degree is built around Noah’s life, his family, and their actions in preserving life through the flood, symbolizing moral resilience and obedience to divine will.

Which is the regalia in this Order?

The regalia of a Royal Ark Mariner include an apron and a chest jewel. The striking apron is of a white kid with a curved lapel, edged with a two-inch ribbon showing the colours of the rainbow. It has rosettes of a similar colour, while triangles replace the rosettes of commanders and past commanders. Lodge officers wear a similar collar with an appropriate jewel attached.

The Order’s jewel is a dove carrying an olive branch and flying under a rainbow.

The Royal Ark Mariner Degree represents a rich tapestry of biblical allegory, Masonic tradition, and moral philosophy. Its enduring appeal lies in its profound yet accessible teachings, which resonate deeply with the broader ideals of Freemasonry.