Jewel of the 33rd Degree

Sovereign Grand Inspector-General

This beautiful jewel represents the Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  It belonged to Illustrious Brother Forrest Adair from Atlanta Consistory No. 2.  It was presented to him in October of 1913. 

The Latin Constitutions of 1786 call it Tertius et trigesimus et sublimissimus gradus, that is, the Thirty-third and Most Sublime Degree; and it is styled the Protector and Conservator of the Order.  The same Constitutions, in Articles I and II, say:   

"The Thirty-third Degree confers on those Freemasons who are legitimately invested with it, the quality, title, privilege, and authority of Sovereign, Supremorum, Grand Inspectors-General of the Order.  The peculiar duty of their mission is to teach and enlighten the Brethren; to preserve charity, union, and fraternal love among them; to maintain regularity in the works of each Degree, and to take care that it is preserved by others; to cause the dogmas, doctrines, institutes, constitutions, statutes, and regulations of the Order to be reverently regarded, and to preserve and defend them on every occasion; and, finally, everywhere to occupy themselves in works of peace and mercy."

The Body in which the members of this Degree assemble is called a Supreme Council.  The symbolic color of the Degree is white, denoting purity.  The distinctive insignia are a sash, collar, jewel, Teutonic cross, decoration, and ring.

The sash is a broad, white watered ribbon, bordered with gold, which has in the center the numerals 33, with a sword of silver, directed from above, on each side of the triangle, pointing to its center.  The sash, worn from the right shoulder to the left hip, ends in a point, and is fringed with gold, having at the junction a circular band of scarlet and green containing the jewel of the Order.

The collar is of white watered ribbon fringed with gold, having the rayed triangle at its point and the swords at its sides.  By a regulation of the Southern Supreme Council of the United States, the collar has been worn by the active, and the sash by the honorary, members of the Council.

Emblem of the Thirty-Third Degree

The emblem is a black double-headed eagle, with golden beaks and talons, holding in the latter a sword of gold, and crowned with the golden crown of Prussia.  The red Teutonic cross is affixed to the left side of the breast.

The decoration rests upon a Teutonic cross.   It is a nine-pointed star, namely, one formed by three triangles of gold one upon the other, and interlaced from the lower part of the left side to the upper part of the right a sword extends, and in the opposite direction is a hand of, as it is called, Justice.   In the center is the shield of the Order, azure (blue), charged with an eagle like that on the banner, having on the dexter (right) side a Balance or (gold), and on the sinister (left) side a Compass of the second, united with a Square of the second.   Around the whole shield runs a band of the first, with the Latin inscription, of the second, Ordo ab Chao, meaning Order out of Disorder, which band is enclosed by two circles, formed by two Serpents of the second, each biting its own tail.   Of the smaller triangles that are formed by the intersection of the greater ones, those nine that are nearest the band are of crimson color, and each of them has one of the letters that compose the word S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A., or Wisdom.

The ring is a triple one, like three small rings, each one-eighth of an inch wide, side by side, and having on the inside a delta surrounding the figures 33, and inscribed with the wearer's name, the letters S.G.I.G., and the motto of the Order, Dues meumque Jus, meaning God and my right.   It has been worn on the fourth finger of the right hand but in 1923 provision was made that the Thirty-third Degree ring should be worn on the little finger of the left hand in the Southern Jurisdiction.  The ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand in the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Here are the new Scottish Rite Jewels available to members!

33rd Degree Scottish Rite Lapel Pin

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