The ‘Crown’ and The Proper Protocol

The Supreme Council has set forth a rule for the correct wearing of the
crown. When wearing the crown it shall be considered to be a part of the
apparel of the wearer and shall not be removed. 
At the presentation of the flag, the crown shall
remain in place, and the members shall stand at attention with the
right hand over the heart. 
During prayer the crown is placed in the left hand and placed over the heart.
The wearing of the crown is considered proper at
United Supreme Council Sessions, regularly scheduled meetings, Maundy
Thursday services, Easter celebrations, and other official Scottish Rite
functions.                   

The Sovereign Grand Commander is the highest ranking officer of the
Supreme Council and the Chief Executive and Judicial Officer of the Rite
within this Supreme Council’s Jurisdiction.  He is the representative
of The United Supreme Council when the Body is not in session and is
invested with general powers of supervision and administration
everywhere within its Jurisdiction.  The crown for the Sovereign Grand
Commander is violet in color and features a gold band. On the front is
the symbol of his office, a Cross of Salem with crosslets. 
The purple crown is that of an elected officer
of our United Supreme Council in the Southern Jurisdiction, PHA. The
crown is purple in color and features a gold band. On the front is the
symbol of a Cross of Patriarchal with crosslets.                   

Rings of the Scottish Rite

14th Degree Ring
Central to the ritual of the 14°, Perfect Elu, is the presentation of a
ring, worn by Scottish Rite Masons from the 14° through the 32°. It is a
plain gold band with an equilateral triangular plate enclosing the
Hebrew letter yud, the initial letter of Yahweh – the Tetragrammaton –
the ineffable name of God. Engraved on the inside is the Latin motto,
“Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit” (Whom virtue unites, death will not
separate). “The circular shape of the ring symbolizes unending
commitment and loyalty, just as it does in a marriage. The triangular
plate and the letter signify that the commitment is to the Deity.”.

33rd Degree Ring
Possibly the most recognized (and certainly misunderstood) Masonic honor
is the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite. The ring is a triple
band of gold, either plain or with a triangular plate of gold enclosing
the numerals 33°

The Jewel of an Active Member

The jewel, suspended from a purple ribbon, has very distinctive details.
“The basis of the jewel is a Teutonic Cross. On that is a nine-pointed
star, composed of three gold triangles, interlaced. The design also
forms nine small triangles, and in each of these is one of the letters
“S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A.”, the Latin word for wisdom. A sword extends from
the lower part of the left side of the jewel to the upper part of the
right side. Crossing that is a “Hand of Justice”. 
This forms a scepter, terminating in a carving
of a hand. On top of the cross, triangles, crossed sword, and Hand of
Justice is a circular plate, and on the plate is a shield with a crowned
double-headed eagle. To the right of the eagle is a balance and to the
left is a Square and Compasses. Around the design is the Latin words
Ordo ab Chao, Order out of Chaos, enclosed by two serpents, each biting
its tail.”        

The Teutonic Cross continues to remind us of the German origins of the Grand Constitutions of 1786. 
The double-headed eagle looking to the East and
West may be from the coat of arms of Germany or from a French ancestor
organization of the Scottish Rite, the Emperors of the East and West.
Its crown signifies that the Thirty-third Degree is the administrative
Degree of the Rite, and this symbolism of proper administration is
continued with the sword of strength, the hand of justice, and the
scales in balance. 
The three three-sided figures remind us of 33°,
the number of this Degree, while Sapientia indicates the symbolic
achievement required for this recognition.