When people think of the Freemasons there are a few images that tend to stick in the mind, their black briefcases (regalia cases), their dark suits and especially the masonic regalia they wear, masonic aprons in particular. But why do Freemasons wear regalia?

Masonic regalia plays an important part in Freemasons ceremonies and also helps to distinguish members different ranks in the fraternity and which masonic appendant body or side order they are a member of.

Masonic Regalia is usually only worn during a Freemasons meeting, however it may also be worn on special occasions, one example would be remembrance day. In the past it was much more common to see masonic regalia worn out in public.

Since Freemasonrys’ inception in 1717 in London, masonic regalia has evolved into its modern form, where in the past aprons in particular were made be each individual Freemason, giving them the freedom to adorn their own apron with masonic symbols how they saw fit, there was no constancy which lead to some fantastic examples of early aprons, some of which can be seen at the museum at UGLE in London.