The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic organization that is open to both men and women. It uses symbolic colors to teach lessons about life, morality, and character. The five colors used in the Order of the Eastern Star are blue, yellow, white, green, and red. Each color has a specific meaning and represents important principles. Understanding the symbolism behind these colors provides insight into the teachings and values of the Eastern Star.
Blue
The color blue represents friendship and harmony. It reminds members of the Eastern Star to be friends to all and live in harmony with others. Blue symbolizes the second station of the order which is the station of the Adah and represents duty to be performed and promises to be kept. Here are some key things to know about the blue color in Eastern Star:
- Blue represents friendship, harmony, and cooperation.
- It reminds members to be true, patient, and faithful friends.
- Blue exemplifies the duty to be truthful and keep promises.
- It is associated with Adah, the second station, representing duty.
- Blue represents the virtue of friendship in all its aspects.
The color blue serves as an ongoing reminder to Eastern Star members that developing true friendships, living in harmony, and fulfilling duties faithfully and patiently are important virtues to demonstrate in life.
Yellow
Yellow represents fidelity and light. It reminds members to be faithful and seek the light of knowledge. In the order, yellow is connected with the third station of Ruth representing devotion and religious principles. Here are some key details on the symbolism of yellow:
- Yellow represents the light of knowledge and intellect.
- It reminds members to continually seek light and education.
- Yellow exemplifies the virtue of fidelity in friendships and relationships.
- It is associated with Ruth, the third station, representing devotion.
- Yellow symbolizes being faithful, loyal, and true to duties and beliefs.
So the color yellow encourages Eastern Star members to remain devoted, expand their intellect through learning, and demonstrate fidelity in all aspects of life.
White
White represents light, purity, and joy. It reminds members that purity of life and light of spirit lead to joy. In the order, white symbolizes Esther and the fourth station representing light and purity. Here are some key things the white color represents:
- White represents light, purity, innocence, and morality.
- It reminds members to live with purity and moral integrity.
- White exemplifies the virtue of purity in thought and action.
- It is associated with Esther, the fourth station, representing purity.
- White symbolizes living a spiritually bright and joyful life.
So the white color encourages members of the Eastern Star to embrace purity, live ethically, and spread light and joy.
Green
Green represents immortality, emblem of spring. It reminds members of eternal life and rebirth. In the order, green is connected with the first station of Ada representing beauty and love. Here are some key details on what green represents:
- Green represents immortality, rebirth, and springtime.
- It reminds members of renewal, new growth, and eternal life.
- Green exemplifies the virtue of showing love to others.
- It is associated with Ada, the first station, representing love and beauty.
- Green symbolizes the promise of life everlasting.
The green color encourages members to show love and beauty in life while looking forward to the hope of immortality.
Red
Red represents fervency and zeal. It reminds members to be fervent in spirit and zealous in working for good. In the order, red is connected with Martha and the fifth station representing fervency and diligence. Here are some details on the symbolism of red:
- Red represents zeal, enthusiasm, energy, and fervency.
- It reminds members to work with passion and diligence.
- Red exemplifies the virtue of zeal, fervency, and hard work.
- It is associated with Martha, the fifth station, representing fervency.
- Red symbolizes working zealously and diligently for righteous causes.
So the red color encourages Eastern Star members to be fervent and zealous in doing good works.
The Five Colors Together
| Color | Meaning | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Friendship, harmony | Adah |
| Yellow | Fidelity, light | Ruth |
| White | Purity, joy | Esther |
| Green | Immortality, love | Ada |
| Red | Fervency, zeal | Martha |
When taken together, the five colors in Eastern Star symbolize living a life filled with friendship, fidelity, purity, love, fervency, and seeking light and immortality. Each color is rich in meaning and represents virtues that members should demonstrate. Learning these symbolic colors provides insight into the moral principles and teachings that the Order of the Eastern Star strives to foster. The colors remind members to show true friendship, remain faithful, embrace purity, give and receive love, work with zeal, and continually seek light and wisdom. Living by the truths of the five colors allows Eastern Star members to lead richer, more ethical lives marked by harmony with others.
Conclusion
In the Order of the Eastern Star, colors act as symbols that teach important life lessons. Blue represents friendship, yellow represents fidelity, white represents purity and joy, green represents immortality and love, and red represents fervency and diligence. Learning the meanings behind the Eastern Star colors provides guidance on being moral, upright people. The colors outline principles that members should incorporate into their lives such as: showing love, living purely, remaining loyal in relationships, working passionately towards worthy goals, and seeking friendship with all. The Eastern Star uses colors and their symbolism to help build character, teach virtue, and enlighten members on how to lead more meaningful, ethical lives. Understanding the colors is key to unlocking the deeper spiritual lessons of this time-honored fraternal organization.
