The
Imperial Council has adopted the fez as the exclusive type
of head covering to be worn by all Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine when appearing as such. This means all nobles must
wear their fezzes at stated meetings, ceremonials, Shrine
parades, caravans, special events and any other Shrine
related activities. The fez is never worn at a Masonic
Lodge communication or meeting.
As a
Noble, you are particularly admonished never to wear your
fez in any company or place in which you would decline to
introduce your mother, wife, sister or daughter. Never
forget this. No other person is ever allowed to wear a
Noble’s fez.
The fez is
not a display case or bulletin board. The Potentate,
Divan Members, Past Potentates and the Grand Master may
have their titles embroidered in small letters in gold or
silver bullion, silk or rhinestone jewels on one line
beneath the emblem on the fez. Active members of official
uniformed units or official clubs of a temple may likewise
have the names of their units or clubs on one line beneath
the emblem on the fez. Any official appointment of the
Potentate may have his title beneath the emblem as above
for the term of his appointment.
The fez
shall be worn in its proper shape without crushing,
creasing or alteration; and no device, ornament, title,
wording or adornment other than allowed by Article 13 of
the Imperial Council shall be permitted. Not more than
two pins or clasps, without supplemental embellishments,
may be used to secure the tassel in place. The fez may be
worn only at meetings and gatherings of Nobles held under
the authority of some legal body of the Order. It may not
be worn when or where prohibited by the Imperial
Potentate. The fez as a general rule is not worn on
Sunday, as the temple is not permitted to meet on that
day. Hospital Day in Lexington is normally on a Sunday
and you may were your fez while attending that function.
Military Salute:
The
military salute is used when reciting the Shrine pledge of
allegiance and during the playing of the national anthem
of the United States of America, Canada, Mexico and
Panama.
Colors:
A Noble
who is wearing his fez will execute a right hand salute
when the Colors are within six paces of him. He will not
remove his fez. After the colors have passed, he should
drop his right hand. A Noble who is not wearing his fez
places his right hand over his heart instead of the right
hand salute.
Auditorium:
In an
auditorium, he should hold the salute until the Colors are
posted after the pledge of allegiance and/or playing of
the national anthems.
Parades:
Only the
Color party of each temple is saluted when passing in
review.
Meetings and Ceremonials:
Current
dues card and password is required for admittance to all
Temple Ceremonials and Business Meetings.
Prayer:
During the
offering of prayer, the fez should be removed and held in
the right hand over the heart.
The Salaam:
A Noble
addressing the Potentate while he is presiding in the East
should always give the salaam. The salaam is always given
by the Potentate and members of his Divan when receiving
the Imperial Potentate, Imperial Officers, and past
Imperial Potentates do not salaam in return but give the
sign of the order.
Salutations:
An
Imperial Officer as well as a Past Imperial Potentate is
always addressed as “Imperial Sir”. A Potentate or Past
Potentate is addressed as “Illustrious Sir”.
Dress:
The proper
attire for a Shriner at any given function is what fits
the occasion. Under normal circumstances the Potentate
will publicize the dress code.
Introduction of dignitaries:
The
presiding officer of a Shrine Unit or Shrine Club should
introduce the dignitaries that are there to visit them.
There may be information that our Potentate needs to get
out and it’s through these dignitaries the information is
disseminated. At the beginning of your meeting you should
determine who is present and you can check you
calendar/directory as to who these people are. At the end
of the meeting you should call upon each one in reverse
order according to rank. Begin with Past Potentates, any
Temple Trustees that are present, and then the Outer Guard
or the lowest ranking officer present and ending with the
Potentate or the highest ranking officer as the last
speaker. No one should speak after the Potentate or the
highest ranking officer with the exception of the
presiding officer who will immediately close his meeting.
