En: Breastplate

Breastplate

The Breastplate plays an important role in the York Rite Royal Arch degree and is mentioned in masonic literature as in

• From En: York Rite Past High Priest Jewel

This dress, as the Rabbis describe it, consisted of eight parts, namely, the breastplate, the ephod, with its curious girdle, the briodered coat, the robe of the ephod, the miter, and the girdle.

To these the Masonic ritualists have ascribed a symbolic signification. The miter teaches the High Priest the dignity of his office; the breastplate, his responsibility to the laws and ordinances of the Institution, and that the honor and interest of the Chapter should always be near his heart; and the robe, the different graces and virtues which are symbolized by the various colors of which it is composed.

• From En: Royal Arch Degree

The Grand Council consists of the Most Excellent High Priest, King, and Holy Scribe. The High Priest is dressed in a white robe, with a breastplate of cut glass, consisting of twelve pieces, an apron, and a mitre.

• From En: MACKEY - C

In Hebrew, baw-rek-ath, the third stone in the first row of the high priest's breastplate, according to the authorized version, but the first stone in the second row, according to the Septuagint.

See also

• En: The Jewish perspective

Links

• Breastplare explained http://royalarch.cumbriafreemasons.org/Documents/Comps%20papers/F%20The%20Breastplate%20%20.pdf
• The High Priest’s Garments http://ram-il.org/history/the-high-priests-garments/
• Freemason's Compendium http://masonic.wikidot.com/breastplate
• Phoenix Masonry http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/high_priest_brestplate.htm