Masonic Shoe
Masonic Blue Slipper

The Masonic Shoe also called the Blue Slipper, is symbolic of a physical confirmation
of a spoken deed.
To unloose one's shoe and give it to another was the way
of confirming a contract in ancient times.
In The First Degree: The Shoe Denotes a
Promise
In the Book of Ruth in the Christian Bible, we read that Boaz, (a wealthy land
owner and Solomon's Great Great Grandfather,) having proposed to the nearest
kinsman of Ruth to exercise his legal right by redeeming the land of Naomi,
which was offered for sale, and marrying her daughter-in-law. The kinsman
being unable to do so, resigned his right of purchase to Boaz.
The scriptures go on to say:
Ruth 4: 7-8:
"Now this was the manner in former time in Israel
concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man
plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony
in Israel."
Therefore, the kinsman said unto Boaz, "Buy it for
thee." So he drew off his shoe.
The reference to the shoe in the First Degree is
symbolic of a Covenant (a promise) to be entered into.
In the Third Degree, the symbolism is altogether
different:
Third Degree: Removal of Both Shoes When
On Sacred Ground
Discalceation: Discalceation is the
ceremony of the removal of both shoes as a token of respect when we are on or
about to approach holy ground.
Exodus 3:5: The angel of the Lord, at the
burning bush, exclaimed to Moses: "Draw not nigh hither. Put off thy
shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standeth is holy ground."
Josua 5:15: "And the captain of the Lord's
host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon
thou standeth is holy."
The Rite of Discalceation has always been and is still used
among the Jewish people and other Oriental nations when entering their temples
and other sacred edifices.

Pythagoras to his Disciples: (in Greek)
translated as: "Offer sacrifice and worship with thy shoes off."
Mohammedans: When Mohammedans are about to
perform their devotions, they always leave their slippers at the door of the
mosque.
Druids: The Druids practiced the same
custom whenever they practiced their sacred rites.
Ancient Peruvians: The
ancient Peruvians left their shoes at the porch when they entered the
magnificent temple consecrated to the worship of the sun.
One Family? Adam Clarke, author of
Commentary on Exodus, believes that the custom of worshiping the Deity,
barefooted, was so general among all nations of antiquity that he assigns it as
one of his 13 proofs that the whole human race has been derived from one family.
Simon-Sez: I
found that very interesting because the scriptures say that from Abraham, came
all the nations of the world. Scientific proof takes longer, perhaps.
I think Bishop Patrick, in his Commentaries, said
it best.
Bishop Patrick: His
comment on the origin of the Rite of Discalceation was: "Moses did not give the
first beginning to this Rite, but it was derived from the patriarchs before him,
and transmitted to future times from that ancient, general tradition; for we
find no command in the law of Moses for the priests performing the service of
the temple without shoes, but it is certain they did so from immemorial custom;
as do the Mohammedans and other nations at this day."
The information, above, is credited to Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Volume 1, page 937, 1929.
Simon-Sez:
Is the Masonic Shoe a Masonic symbol? Yes. But, once again, we
find that the Masonic shoe is another Masonic symbol which did not originate
with Freemasonry, but which was taken from traditions of antiquity as documented in the Holy Books.
Is that disappointing? No. It simply once again,
shows us the brotherhood of man through the ages, which Freemasonry exemplifies.
It is noteworthy to remember that in ancient
times, shoes as we know them, today, were not available. Both men and women wore sandals. The blue slipper was probably a sandal of some type.
Why do we use the term "Blue Slipper" when most sandals are made of brown leather? The answer lies in learning the true color of Masonic blue.

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