THE PROPER WAY TO WEAR A MASONIC RING The following from Temple Topics (Illinois) is now being quoted with approval by other Masonic papers. "What is the proper way to wear a Masonic ring? Should the points of the compass be toward or away from the body? "If you were hanging the American flag, would you put the stars down? The same holds true of the ring. Usually it is a gift, and has sentimental value for the wearer. It should look right side up to him. Rings are therefore worn with the points of the compass toward the wearer." This subject is one on which Grand Lodges have made no regulation and popular opinion is divided. We must therefore reason from analogy. When the emblem of the square and compasses is displayed on a building, pennant, button, watch charm etc., universal custom requires the points of the compass point downward. When displayed on the Altar they point away from the Master. As the Master from his station views the compass from the Altar of his lodge, the points are from, not towards him. As the wearer of a compass watch charm views it, the points are down and away from his eyes. In a similar way as he views the emblem on his ring the points should be down or away from his eyes. The square is the symbol of earthly, the compass of heavenly perfection. As a combined emblem the ends of the square point up as a symbol of man's aspirations toward God; the points of the compass are down to represent heavenly qualities coming down from God to earth. Therefore it would seem that the proper way to wear a ring would be that is which its symbolism is best expressed; namely, that in which, when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compass are towards the earth and away from the wearer's eyes. Thus it will be seen that our conclusion does not agree with the writer in Temple Topics. He truly says that in hanging an American flag we would not put the stars down, but in hanging a compass or a square and compass, he surly would put the points of the compass down. The same rule holds when worn as a ring or button or a watch charm; namely, they would be worn the same way with the points down. When so worn they all serve the same purposes, and by no means the least of these purposes is to announce to the world the proud wearer is a Mason. -- Iowa Masonic Bulletin. (Editor's Note: We agree with the writer in Temple Topics. We believe that the apex of the compasses should point toward the finger nail; so that in looking at the ring by the wearer he sees the points of the compasses towards him. we do not believe that a ring is worn for "show" purposes.) See uploader's comment below! (Copied from THE MONTANA MASON, May 1936, page 15) (Uploader's Comment: Rings are like pins, necklaces, most watches, and any other form of jewelry -- they are ADORNMENT! Nothing in Masonic law or regulation does it make any mention of the necessity for these 'other' jewels. Therefore, like most jewelry, they are worn as a matter of personal pride. They demonstrate 'our' status to others who observe them. So it is the opinion of this humble writer that the ring should be worn as first stated; With the points of the compass toward the nail. Then an observer of your ring can see just what you intended for him/her to see -- that you are a Mason. The symbol you know, understand, and love should not be displayed in a manner that could be confusing (or worse, misconstrued) to the casual observer. After all, you wouldn't wear your Masonic collar pin with the points of the compass toward your neck now would you? Push come to shove, when the crotchety old Past Master tells you that you are wearing your ring incorrectly (two Past Masters will give you two widely different views!) you can tell him (with some modicum of tact) that he should concentrate more on the continuation of his Masonic Work, and helping those who are just moving up in the Craft, and not on a subject with NO definitive answer. James S. Rounsaville