Symbolism of the Eastern Star

By Shirley Plessner

This book by Shirley Plessner, which was first published in 1956, was compiled in response to numerous requests for informative material about the symbols, terms, and stories of the Order of Eastern Star.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, but was only adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873. The order is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter.

“This book contains a complete discussion of the whole biblical account from which the teachings of the Order of Eastern Star are derived. Like all such interpretations, no effort is made to establish it as the one and only interpretation. Each discussion is a collection of ideas which are designed to assist the reader in forming his own conclusions concerning each selection. This book also contains the Bible passages from which our symbols, emblems, terms and stories have been taken. All of the information in this book has been alphabetically arranged to make this information readily accessible.

“Use this book to find the answers to your questions about the symbols, emblems, terms, and legends associated with the work of our Order.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Muriwai Books
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781789126990

Shirley Plessner

Shirley Plessner was an assistant professor of education at Heidelberg College in Toledo, Ohio. Born Shirley Meyers, she was the first person, male or female, to receive a doctorate degree from the University of Toledo, in 1962.

Book preview

This edition is published by Muriwai Books – www.pp-publishing.com

To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – [e-mail]

Or on Facebook

Text originally published in 1956 under the same title.

© Muriwai Books 2018, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

SYMBOLISM OF THE EASTERN STAR

by

SHIRLEY PLESSNER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

PREFACE 4

INTRODUCTION 5

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 6

ABIHAIL 7

ADAH 7

ADAR 16

ADVISORS 16

AHASUERUS 17

ALABASTER 17

ALLEGORY 17

ALTAR 17

ALTAR CLOTH 20

AMETHYST 20

AMMON 20

ARDSHUR DIRAZ 21

ARNON 21

AROER 21

ASSOCIATE CONDUCTRESS 21

ASSOCIATE MATRON 21

ASSOCIATE PATRON 22

AURIGA 22

AUTUMN 22

BARNABUS 23

BATON WITHIN THE STAR 23

BEATITUDES 23

BERYL 23

BETHANY 24

BETHLEHEM 25

BIBLE 25

BIGTHAN 25

BLACK 26

BLOOD OF THE LAMB 26

BLUE 27

BOAZ 27

BOOZ 28

BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR 28

BROKEN COLUMN 28

BROTHER 28

BROTHERHOOD 29

BROTHERLY LOVE 29

CABALISTIC 31

CANAAN 31

CAPELLA 31

CARDINAL POINTS 31

CENTRAL JEWELS 32

CHALCEDONY 32

CHAMBERLAINS 32

CHAPLAIN 32

CHEMOSH 33

CHILION 33

CHRIST 34

CHRYSOLYTE 34

CHRYSOPRASE 34

CHRYSOPRASUS 34

CIRCLE 35

CONDUCTRESS 35

COLOR 35

CROSS 36

CROSSED BATONS WITHIN THE STAR 37

CROSSED KEYS WITHIN THE STAR 37

CROSSED PENS WITHIN THE STAR 37

CROSSED SWORDS WITHIN THE STAR 38

CROWN 38

CROWN AND SCEPTRE 39

CUP 39

DAUGHTER 41

DAVID 41

DAYS OF LAMENTATION 41

DAYS OF MOURNING 41

DAYS OF WEEPING 41

DEATH 41

DEBORAH 43

DEITY’S TRIANGLE 43

DESIRE 43

DIAMOND 43

DOVE WITHIN THE STAR 44

EARTHLY TRIANGLE 45

EAST 45

EDICT 45

EFFULGENT SUN 45

EGLON 46

EIGHT 46

ELECTA 46

ELIMELECH 50

EMBLEM 50

EMERALD 51

EPHESUS 51

ESTHER 52

ESTHER ROLLS 72

ESOTERIC 72

ETERNAL LIFE 73

EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE 74

FEAST OF PURIM 76

FERN 76

FIVE 76

FIVE FOLD CORD 77

FIVE GATES OF THE ORDER 77

FLOWERS OF THE ORDER 78

FOUNDATION STONES 78

FOUR 79

FRATERNAL ORDER 79

FRIEND 79

FRIENDSHIP 82

GAVEL 83

GAVEL WITHIN THE STAR 83

GEM 83

GIDEON 83

GILEAD 83

GLEAN 84

GOD’S WORD 84

GOLD 85

GOLDEN RULE 85

GREAT LIGHT, THE 86

GREEN 86

HADASSAH 87

HAMAN 87

HAMMEDATHA 87

HEGAI 87

HOSPITALITY 87

HOUSE OF THE WOMEN 88

HUMILITY 88

IBZAN 91

INDUSTRY 91

ISRAEL 91

INSTRUCT 92

INSTRUCTION 92

INTEGRITY 93

INITIATION 93

INNOCENT 94

INVESTURE 94

JABBOK 95

JACINTH 95

JAIR 95

JASMINE 95

JASPER 96

JECONIAH 96

JEPHTHAH 96

JERICHO 97

JERUSALEM 97

JESSAMINE 97

JESSE 97

JEWELS OF THE OFFICE 97

JOHN 98

JUDAEA 98

JUDAH 99

JUDEA 99

JUDGE 99

JUSTICE 99

KABALAH 100

KING SOLOMON’S SEAL 100

KISH 100

KNOWLEDGE 100

LABYRINTH 101

LAMB 101

LAW, THE 102

LAW AND THE PROPHETS, THE 102

LAZARUS 102

LIGHT, THE 102

LEVEL 102

LIFE 102

LILY 102

LILY OF THE VALLEY 103

LINE 103

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH 103

LOVE 104

LOYALTY 104

LYRE WITHIN THE STAR 104

MAHLON 105

MARA 105

MARSHAL 105

MARTHA 105

MARY 114

MASTER BOOK OF THE ORDER 115

MASTER BUILDER 115

MINNITH 115

MISHNAH 115

MIZPEH 115

MOAB 115

MOLECH 116

MONTHS, CALENDAR 116

MONTHS, JEWISH 116

MORDECAI 117

MOTHER 117

MOUNT OF OLIVES 118

MYRRH 118

MYSTIC COLORS 118

NAZARETH 119

NEBUCHADNEZZAR 119

NEW COVENANT 119

NEW TESTAMENT 119

NORTH 119

NUMBERS 119

OBED 121

OBEDIENCE 121

OBLIGATION 121

OCCULTISM 121

ODOURS 121

OLD COVENANT 122

OLD TESTAMENT 122

OLIVENE 122

ONE 122

OPEN BIBLE 123

OPEN BOOK WITHIN THE STAR 123

ORACLES, THE 123

ORGANIST 123

ORNAMENT 123

ORPAH 124

PENTA BAND OF GOLD 125

PENTACLE 125

PENTA COMBINATION 125

PENTAGON 125

PENTALPHA 125

PERSIA 125

PETITION 126

PHARISEE 126

PILLAR 126

PLUMBLINE 126

PRIMARY COLORS 126

PUR 127

QUEEN OF SHEBA 128

RAHAB 128

RAYS 128

RED 128

REQUEST 128

REVELATION 128

RITUAL 129

ROSE 129

ROSE OF SHARON 129

RUBY 129

RUTH 130

RULING POWER, THE 142

SACRIFICE 144

SALMON 144

SAMARIA 144

SAPPHIRE 144

SARDIUS 145

SARDONYX 145

SCEPTRE 145

SCROLL AND BATON 146

SEAL 146

SEASONS 146

SECRETARY 146

SELF SACRIFICE 147

SENTINEL 147

SERPENTINE 147

SHEAF 147

SHIMEI 148

SHUSHAN 148

SIGNET 148

SIGNET RING 148

SISTER 148

SOUTH 149

SPIRITUAL WOMAN 149

SPRING 149

SQUARE AND COMPASS 149

SQUARE OF RULING POWER 149

STAR OF BETHLEHEM 150

STAR WITHIN A STAR 150

SUMMER 150

SUN 150

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 150

SUSA 150

SWORD 150

SWORD AND VEIL 151

SYMBOL 151

TALMUD 152

TEBETH 152

TEMPLE 152

THREE GREAT LIGHTS 152

THREE STEPS, THE 152

TOPAZ 152

TREASURER 153

TRIANGLE OF BATTLE 153

TRIANGULAR CHAIN 153

VEIL 154

VIOLET 154

WARDER 154

WAY, THE 154

WEST 154

WHITE 155

WIDOW 155

WIFE 155

WINTER 155

WOMANHOOD 156

WORD, THE 156

WORTHY MATRON 156

WORTHY PATRON 156

XERXES 157

YELLOW 158

ZERESH 159

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 160

PREFACE

This book has been compiled in response to numerous requests for informative material about the symbols, terms, and stories of the Order of Eastern Star. Every effort to present this information in a simple, direct and authoritative fashion has been made.

THE PUBLISHERS

INTRODUCTION

The mysteries and hidden meanings that lie behind the ritualistic work of our Order sometimes seem illusive and difficult to explain. The reason for this is simple. The ritualistic work of our Order is a framework from which the conscientious member may build a substantial spiritual edifice. For example, the stories of our heroines, while taken from the Bible, do not use the exact wording of the Bible, nor do they contain a complete account of each story. The essence of each story of the heroines has been incorporated into delightful, highly appropriate selections which are designed to best instruct the candidate. However, it is the responsibility of each member to seek out the original Bible account and expand his knowledge of our lessons.

This book contains a complete discussion of the whole biblical account from which the teachings of the Order of Eastern Star are derived. Like all such interpretations, no effort is made to establish it as the one and only interpretation. Each discussion is a collection of ideas which are designed to assist the reader in forming his own conclusions concerning each selection. This book also contains the Bible passages from which our symbols, emblems, terms and stories have been taken. All of the information in this book has been alphabetically arranged to make this information readily accessible.

Whenever a subject is closely related to another topic, this relationship has been indicated so that additional information may be quickly located.

The total tradition and history of the Order of the Eastern Star is dependent upon a knowledge of the symbols and legends of our fraternal organization. This book has been designed to assist the member to acquire traditional and helpful information which he may use to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work of our Order.

Through their inspired leadership and as a direct result of their explorative thinking, our officers are constantly adding to the understanding of our great teachings. Use the ideas in this book to stimulate your thinking into channels of thought which you may previously have left unexplored. You may wish to use portions of the studies of the heroines as address material. Perhaps some discussion of a symbol or emblem may give you an idea for a different motif or decoration. Additional information is always an invaluable tool in the hands of an intelligent and skillful leader.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Use this book to find the answers to your questions about the symbols, emblems, terms, and legends associated with the work of our Order. Frequently, newly initiated members, members of long standing, and officers as well, have many unanswered questions.

For example, How ever do you suppose Jephthah could have sacrificed Adah? is a question which occurs frequently. This subject is fully discussed under the topic, Adah. Other questions such as, Do the other officers besides the Star Point officers have jewels dedicated to their offices? may be quickly answered. Turn to ‘Jewel of the Office’ for a complete explanation and description.

The busy officer who wishes to make worthwhile remarks for special occasions will find this book an invaluable aid in preparing her material. Should the reader seek information about the Altar, he should turn to the topic, Altar. There the reader will find all the information compiled complete with biblical reference. The importance of the Altar in biblical times and the meaning of the Altar in the work of our Order are so arranged that the busy officer may compile enough information in a very short time with which to make a worthwhile contribution to her Chapter. At the conclusion of every item which has a definite relation to another object, term, or idea, there is a section with the heading ‘See’. Under this heading, the reader will find a reference to other items which are related to the topic.

ABIHAIL

Abihail was the father of Esther, third of the five Star Point heroines. Abihail was an uncle to Mordecai. Abihail and his wife passed away while they were in Persia. (Evidently, Abihail, like Mordecai, was brought to Persia by Nebuchadnezzar after the defeat of Jeconiah.) After their death, Mordecai adopted their daughter, Hadassah, who was later known as Esther.

See Esther, Jeconiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Triangular Chains.

ADAH

Adah is the first of the Star Point heroines.

REPRESENTS

Adah represents the Ideal Daughter because her sense of duty and her devotion to her father so guided her actions that, by her deeds, she exemplified the highest type of filial obedience.

MEANING OF THE NAME

The name, Adah, means Ornament. Although the name of Adah does not appear in the biblical source of the story of Jephthah’s daughter, it is an exceedingly appropriate choice. Not only may it be said that Adah’s innocent spirit and faultless character were her own personal ornaments, but it may also be said that a daughter who so exemplified these virtues was an ornament to her father’s life.

COLOR

The clear blue of the cloudless skies is the color dedicated to the first Star Point. Blue, ever the symbol of fidelity, loyalty and intelligence, represents both Adah’s excellent use of her intellect in determining the right course of action and her unparalleled loyalty to her father.

FLOWER

The violet is dedicated to Adah because it is associated with meekness and humility. The violet represents the willing subjugation of personal desire and wishes in order that one’s duty may be properly fulfilled.

IDEALS

The ideals of the first Star Point are self-sacrifice, integrity, and obedience. These ideal characteristics may be achieved by emulating the spirit and actions, typified in the life of Adah.

EMBLEM

The emblem of Adah is the Sword and Veil which represent Right and the Revelation. Right courses of action may be followed when the Word of God is revealed or made known to the individual and is accepted by the individual.

SYMBOL

The Open Bible is symbolic of the deeper meaning which is to be grasped by the earnest student from the story of Adah. As each of the heroines of the Order were selected because certain phases of their lives bore a similarity to certain phases in the life of Christ, the reason for the selection of Adah becomes obvious. As Christ was sacrificed in order that God, the Father, might fulfill His desire to save His Children, so Adah was sacrificed to fulfill her father’s vow. The Open Bible is then the symbol of the larger concept of Adah, which is that only the Word of God may direct the individual in the right way in which to go.

JEWEL OF THE OFFICE

The turquoise, or the blue sapphire, is used to represent the character traits exemplified by Adah. These virtues together with the virtues represented by the other heroines, are symbolized by precious jewels which are collectively called the Central Jewels. The turquoise, representative of the virtues of Adah, indicates that if we wish to make our lives a shining star, we must first master the virtue of the first Star Point, which is obedient loyalty.

SEASON

Adah represents the Spring of the year because her life is representative of the springtime, or early womanhood of life itself. The story of Adah challenges us to carry throughout our fives, the innocence and sweetness of a young girl and to approach our life problems with the enthusiasm and willingness with which Adah approached the problems with which she was faced.

BEATITUDE

The sixth beatitude is associated with Adah. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

THE STORY

Every conscientious Eastern Star, who continually probes and studies the lessons of our Order in search of the hidden meanings, is often perplexed by some staggering problems. In the lesson of Adah, if one commences his studying with a review of the place of the Book of Judges in Biblical History and proceeds from there, each point of perplexity may be met and resolved.

The Book of Judges, according to the most conservative of compilations, covers a period of about three hundred and seventeen years, and according to other authorities, well over four hundred years. The whole book is concerned with the affairs of the Hebrews from the time of Moses and Joshua all the way to the time of Saul. During this period of time, the nation was governed by judges. There were alternate periods of peace and war which were directly relative to the piety or impiety of the people. According to the Bible, the Hebrews strayed from the way, and then were punished by God. When the Hebrew people proved their intention to abide by God’s Word, God provided a means to relieve them of their oppression and punishment.

By the time Jephthah assumed the Judgeship, the Hebrews had erred and been punished by oppression by the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Amalekites and the Moabites. Each time, God had delivered the Jews from the oppression of the enemy. Now, once again, the Hebrews had forsaken God’s Word and had worshipped Baalim. When the people had repented, God took pity upon them, and the Hebrews anxiously awaited the means of their deliverance. Their deliverance came to them in the form of Jephthah, a mighty man of valour.

A proper understanding of the story of Adah demands a complete understanding of Jephthah, the extent of his power, and the role he assumes in this lesson. First of all, the function of a judge should be examined. A judge was the enforcer of the law, the highest governing official. The judges, however, did not make nor interpret the laws. The judges only administered God’s Law according to God’s Direction. Now, the understanding of this point is absolutely essential to a sound interpretation. It must be understood that for Jephthah to administer God’s Law according to God’s Direction, it was necessary that Jephthah have contact with God Himself. Thus, the judge had to be invested with the Spirit of God, and having been thus invested, Jephthah as judge, became almost an holy man.

It is true that the reader is made aware of this slowly. First, the Bible relates how Jephthah was driven by his brothers out of Gilead, and how he then fled to Tob. While Jephthah was in Tob, he was surrounded by a very undesirable group of men. It is said that it was these men that he organized into a band of fighting raiders.

While Jephthah was in Tob, the Hebrew people began to seek a strong leader of men who would save their nation from the destruction planned by the Ammonites. By this time, the enemy forces had been marshalled together and were ready to march against the Israelites. The Elders of Gilead had let it be known that the command of their forces was open to any man who could accept. No one having come forward, the elders approached Jephthah and asked him to assume the command.

Jephthah reminded them of how they had expelled him from his father’s house. The elders admitted to Jephthah that they had been unjust and unfair in their treatment of him. They promised Jephthah that, were he victorious over the enemy, he should become the head of all Gilead.

Then, according to the Bible, Jephthah appeared with the elders before the people and received their approbation. Next, as was deemed necessary at that time, Jephthah called out his intentions to God. Thus, the selection of Jephthah as the Leader and Judge of the Hebrew people was a threefold consideration. He had been selected by the Elders, approved by the people, and finally, sanctioned by God.

Jephthah immediately sent messengers to the King of Ammon. He asked why it was that the Ammonites were preparing to march