The Triple Tau

Presented at Cromwell Coronation 16 September 2010

by RE Comp Phil Ivamy GLec

Companions, if I may, I would like to make a few observations regarding this symbol of the Royal Arch degree.

The association of the Triple Tau with Royal Arch Masonry is founded in the early beginnings of the order, in the Charter of Concord dated 22nd July, 1766 which created the first Grand Chapter, in which we find reference to it in that all companions are to wear an apron with the badge T displayed thereon and also the indented H. It has been suggested that this represented Holiness supporting the Trinity, although there is no proof of this meaning. This T over H subsequently evolved into the Triple Tau as we now have it.

It maybe stating the obvious but the triple Tau consists of three Tau’s joined together.

The Tau is known as the St Anthony’s cross, and indeed it is felt that the cross that Christ was crucified on was such a cross, this would lend some credence to its use in the Holy Royal Arch, as the Royal Arch was de-Christianised as a part of the merging of the Antients and Moderns after 1813, thus a Christian cross may be a remnant from the early Royal Arch workings? This is further borne out if we remember that the basis of a Triple Tau in early church history would mean the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Royal Arch symbol therefore ought to recall to our minds our constant duty to offer worship to The Most High, The Almighty God.

The word Tau (according to EE Ogilvie’s Freemason’s Royal Arch Guide) means mark used to attest a signature – highly suggestive of the Mark degree working, although the triple Tau plays no great part in that working.

The Semitic letter tau (written similar to our X or + sign) was adapted by the Greeks to become the letter “T” of the Tau as we are now familiar with. This was also a common Egyptian device often called the “Egyptian Cross”. It is numbered 300 in the Greek and 400 in the Hebrew numerical alphabet, where a letters numerical value is of equal importance as its alphabetical value. The tau corresponds astrologically with the planet Saturn and the concept of finality.

It is assumed that the biblical symbolism of the Tau stems from the ancient cult of Tammuz, a vegetation god whose annual death and resurrection was commemorated by ritual mourners who marked their foreheads with the cross. Tammuz, like Christ, was associated with fishing and shepherding. The Tau cross takes the shape of the letter of his name, and is one of the oldest letters known. The custom of marking the forehead with a cross of ashes as a sign of mourning dates back to these rituals.

Esoterically, the Tau represents a gate or opening, symbolic death. In the Victorian magical Order of the Golden Dawn, the Tau was the “sign of the Enterer,” a posture that symbolized the opening path of the Kabbalistic tree of life, connecting the sphere of Malkuth (earth) with that of Yesod (the moon). It was strongly associated with the World or Universe card in the tarot, and emblematic of the cross of life juxtaposed on the sphere of matter- a symbol of death as initiation. Something that bears contemplation in relation to the third degree which is perhaps our first esoteric initiation…

The Tau was also known to the Brahman devotees, the ancient Gauls and as already stated the Egyptians – in each case having spiritual significance – the Gauls held the “Tau Gallicum” as a symbol of the Supreme God.

The merging of three Taus into the Triple Tau that we are familiar with has many theories attached to it. In its form of a T over an H it is variously said to represent “Hiram of Tyre” or Templum Hierosolymi (Temple of Jerusalem) implying that the wearer of this badge is a true believer of the true God according to RA Wells in “Royal Arch Matters”.

This seems to stem from the fashion in the early 19th Century of Questionnaire Sections where it was found in the statement – “It signifies in it’s figurative appearance as T.H., Templum Hierosolyma, ‘The Temple of Jeruslaem’, and is always used as the RA mason’s badge…It also signifies Clavis ad Thesaurum, ‘a key to the treasure’.”

Companion Castells however holds that this interpretation was deliberately used to conceal its true meaning, but he doesn’t go on to say what that true meaning is!

In the Aldersgate Royal Arch ritual we find that Z states during the mystical lecture “the union of the three Taus here depicted alludes to the Deity by whom the gloomy, horrific and unshappen chaos was changes into regular form and peaceful existence.”

The Triple Tau is said to actually comprise only two letters, for the Greek phrase “Templum Hieroslymoe,” with the H as a pictographic stand-in for the Arch of the Temple entrance; the Tau likely reflecting the death-and resurrection symbolism of the Masonic initiation.

At one stage it was also thought that the T over H was a device created by Thomas Harper, Deputy GM of the Antients from 1801 to 1813 – this has since lost favour as a theory.

The Old Testament Prophet Ezekial speaks of the Tau cross as a mark distinguishing those who were to be saved on account of their sorrow for their sins, thereby giving an Old Testament origin.

The bringing of the three taus together to form the triple Tau is within keeping with the Royal Arch fascination with things triple – the three sojourners, the three principals, the three parts of the opening, etc. For me this also hints of the trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and perhaps the Triple Tau within our order is a remnant of the more religious original workings? These workings being bought into line with the first three degrees which had earlier been dechristianised.

It may interest the companions to know that in 1855 the interlaced triangles and T over H were being used by a certain Henry Thompson in his newspaper “The West London Observer” – this was discontinued once he became aware of the Masonic tie in.

As an aside it may interest the companions here assembled to know that we share this symbol with at least one other organisation, an organisation who holds that: “it is a symbol our repentance for the sins of this world,” and that “True repentance is not running away from evil, but rather in standing against it,”, all very admirable sentiments until you realize that the organisation we are referring to is the Klu Klux Klan, who then go on to state “we will not hide and weep, but roar and fight! So we must stand, often alone, marked before the world, as those who hold truth, honor, and dignity, faith, hope, and charity above mere lip service offered by the apologist. Standing against the communist demagogues, who stand on a pile of infant corpses screaming, they have the right to choose who lives and dies, those who blaspheme the name of God by refusing to allow prayer in our public schools.” They then have the affront to say that, “as Jews wore the star, we bear the triple Tau.

We insist the white race has the right to exist, and this right must be acknowledged.” I don’t think we should publicize our mutual use of the triple tau in this particular case!

Within our chapter the triple Tau is found within a triangle; The Triangle is a symbol of divine union, and an emblem of the mysterious Trinity, equally representing the attributes of Deity, and His Triple essence. The ONE TRUE GOD is known by His Attributes:

Once again we find another example of the number three which is found throughout our Royal Arch Chapters, workings and symbolism.

One last observation, and this is purely my personal thoughts, given the esoteric leaning of some of the early brethren is it not possible that the T over H in some way reference Thrice Great Hermes, Hermes Trismegistus, also known as Thoth, one of whose symbols is the Tau? Fabled author of The Hermetica, and the Emerald Tablet – both well revered works from ancient Egypt held in high esteem within the esoteric field. This perhaps would lend both a Rosicrucian and Alchemical leaning to the origins of the Holy Royal Arch!

Companions I hope I have given a little insight into that most fascinating of symbols within our chapter, the Triple Tau, and I welcome any comments or theories that you may have as to its origin or signification…

Bibliography http://www.kukluxklan.bz/tau.html http://symboldictionary.net

http://texasyorkrite.org/chapter/forms/general/ShortTalk6.pdf

Jones, BE; Freemasons Book of the Royal Arch; GG Harrop & Co; 1957

Ogilvie, EE; Freemasons Royal Arch Guide; Lewis Masonic; 1978

Transactions of the Royal Arch Chapter of Research No 26; June 1963

Copyright © P J Ivamy, SGRACNZ, 2010

SGRACNZ
royalarch.org.nz