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The Shield Talk
My Brothers,
I stand before you at this sacred DeMolay altar so that I may explain
to you the symbolism of the beautiful insignia of our Order.
The INSIGNIA was designed by the founder of
our great Order: Dad Frank S. Land. He designed it as a pin and symbol
that recognizes us as DeMolays and their representatives. Every part of
this insignia has a particular significance, and we as DeMolays should
know them by heart.
The CROWN is symbolic of the Crown of Youth
and constantly reminds a DeMolay of his obligations and the seven precepts
of this Order: filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship,
fidelity, cleanness and patriotism.
The TEN PRECIOUS STONES of the crown honor our
founder, Frank S. Land, and the nine youths whose ties of friendship
drew them together in the formation of the Order of DeMolay. The Red Rubies
honor those who have passed away. The pearls represent those living members
of the original nine. When, as comes to every man, the final summons for
each of this honored group, a red ruby takes the place of a pearl.
The HELMET is emblematic of chivalry which we
as DeMolays display through our courtesy and respect for womanhood and
without which there can be no fineness of character.
The CRESCENT is a sign of secrecy and constantly
reminds DeMolays of their duty never to reveal the secrets of our Order
or to betray the confidence of a friend.
The five-armed WHITE CROSS symbolizes the purity
of your intentions to always remember the motto of the Order: No DeMolay
shall fail as a citizen, as a leader and as a man.
The CROSSED SWORDS denote justice, fortitude
and mercy. They symbolize the increasing warfare of DeMolay against arrogance,
despotism and intolerance.
The STARS surrounding the crescent are symbolic
of hope and should always remind us of those obligations and duties which
one Brother of the Order owes to another.
Be sure to wear this insignia proudly, whether it be on a pin or on a
crest. Don't wear it to any place where you would be ashamed to take your
mother, sister or "best girl". Remember, in all humility, when
you wear this emblem, you are representing and speaking for over four
million other DeMolays scattered throughout the world and who cannot,
for the moment, speak for themselves.
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