The Eastern Star Symbol
The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic Order based the teachings from the Bible and was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris. Ratified as an approved Masonic Fraternity in 1873 the order is open to men and women and has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter.
he emblem of the Order is a five-pointed star, each point represents a female figure from the Bible, namely:
• Adah (Book of Judges)
• Ruth (Book of Ruth
• Esther (Book of Esther)
• Martha (Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John)
• Electa (Second Epistle of John)
Each point or heroine is associated with a particular colour, a cardinal virtue and generally, a season; all points represents a story inspired by the heroine found in the Bible.
As a brief overview:
ELECTA
- From the Second Epistle of John – the mother.
- Her colour is red.
- Her cardinal virtue is patience.
- She is often associated with autumn.
- Her symbol is the cup, a representation of charity and hospitality.
ADAH
- From the Book of Judges – the daughter.
- Her colour is blue.
- Her cardinal virtue is respect.
- She is often associated with spring.
- Her symbol is a sword with a shield as she sacrificed her life to save the honour of her father.
RUTH
- From the Book of Ruth – the widow.
- Her colour is yellow.
- Her cardinal virtue is piety.
- She is often associated with summer.
- Her symbol is a sheaf of barley as she gathered leftover grains as her means to survive.
ESTHER
- From the Book of Esther – the wife
- Her colour is white.
- Her cardinal virtue is fidelity.
- She’s the only point without a season.
- Her symbol is a crown and sceptre as she was the queen known to sacrifice her life for her people.
MARTHA
- From the Gospel of John – the sister.
- Her colour is green.
- Her cardinal virtue is unswerving faith.
- She is often associated with winter.
- Her symbol is the broken column, a figurative symbol for the uncertainties in life.
