Heroines of Jericho is an organization in Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded as an auxiliary organization to Holy Royal Arch Masons. Initially, only the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters of Royal Arch Masons were allowed.[1] The organization has no national body and operates as separate state Grand Courts with subordinate local courts. Moses Dickson called the degrees the "oldest and most perfect of all the Female Degrees."[2] The name comes the Bible as a reference to the Woman of Jericho, Rahab, who protected her family from harm by saving two Israelites.[3][4] In their gratitude, they told her to hang a red chord from her house to mark her family as protected.
Degrees and Symbolism edit
The Heroines of Jericho contain three degrees in the subsequent order: the Master Mason's Daughter, the True Kinsman, and the Heroine of Jericho.[5] Emblems of the order include the Scarlet Chord, the Sheaf of Wheat, and the Three-Tiered Ark and the three colors are red, white, and blue.[6] These emblems and colors are represented in the regalia worn by the Heroines of Jericho.[7]
State Grand Courts edit
The Grand Court of Michigan organized on May 25, 1874.[8] In Jacksonville, Florida, the Grand Court of Florida was formed in January 1882.[9] Early courts in Texas, including Sarah Court, No. 1, Rebecca Court, No. 2, St. Mary Court, No.3, Victoria Court, No. 4, and Elizabeth Court, No. 5, formed in the late nineteenth century.[10]
Members edit
References edit
- ^ Heroines of Jericho (1976). The book of the scarlet line: Heroines of Jericho, containing the rituals and ceremonies of the degrees of Master Mason's daughter, true kinsman, heroine of Jericho. . . Richmond, Va: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, Inc.
- ^ Dickson, Moses. Revised Landmarks and Ceremonies of the Courts of the Heroines of Jericho. Chicago, Ill.: Erza A. Cook Publications, inc.
- ^ "Heroines of Jericho | City of Grove Oklahoma". www.cityofgroveok.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Smith, Todd (2023-03-31). "Palm Sunday: A Day of Triumph and Reflection for Heroines of Jericho and Royal Arch Masons". National Grand Lodge. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Payovich, Tracy. "Dickson, Moses. "Court of Heroines of Jericho." 1895". UM Clements Library. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Overall History of the Heroines of Jericho". The Jericho. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ "Heroines Of Jericho Regalia". Bricks Masons. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "African American Heroines of Jericho Guiding Star Court No. 15, Joplin, Missouri Records | The State Historical Society of Missouri". collections.shsmo.org. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ "MAUGCHOJ-FL | History". www.maugcfl-hoj.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ "Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho – The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas". Retrieved 2024-02-16.