Blazon Azure, a saltire Or charged at fess point with a pellet Sable charged with a cross humette Gules fimbriated Or, between in dexter flank a sword erect Argent and in sinister flank a quill pen in pale point to base Argent, in chief on a field Argent four lozenges throughout three and one Sable, and in base on a field Gules a magnolia blossom of nine petals argent seeded Or leaved of five Vert. EXPLANATION A "Blazon" is the official heraldic description of a coat of arms, the essential component of which is the shield. Magnolia Lodge's shield is patterned after the traditional arms ("Azure, a saltire Or") of St. Alban, the first patron of Britain's medieval stonemasons. A saltire is a cross formed in the figure of a "X." A gold saltire on a blue field represents Magnolia's devotion to Freemasonry's most ancient traditions and further alludes to Alban, one of our lodge's five patron saints. Blue has become the modern color representative of Freemasonry. It is therefore fitting that tincture is the first noted in Magnolia's blazon. The saltire of old gold further alludes to Magnolia's Kappa Alpha legacy. That metal is revered as one of the Order's official colors. The saltire form itself was first adopted as the symbol of St. Andrew, patron of Scotland and later her masonic fraternity. St. Andrew was also later adopted as a patron of the South, Kappa Alpha's homeland. (The Confederacy's familiar "Southern Cross" battle flags drew on that same form.) Andrew was Christ's first disciple and also serves as one of Magnolia's patrons. At the center of the saltire is an encircled cross uniquely identified with Kappa Alpha Order. The crimson cross is reminiscent of the device of the Crusader orders and KA's flag. That cross is mounted on a golden greek cross set within a black disc. This encircled cross is the central charge of KA's badge. The Greek cross form not only identifies its KA heritage but further alludes to the re-discovery of classical philosophy and Eastern learning celebrated by both our collegiate and masonic fraternal traditions. The four quadrants represent the four directions of the compass and emphasize the universality of the Craft. The East and West are represented in traditional masonic blue. They are charged with devices representing several themes. The East features a quill pen representing wisdom, learning and the university tradition we share. The West features a sword representing strength, chivalry and the martial legacy that we share. Both charges are tinctured white, the original color of Freemasonry and the chief livery color of Magnolia Lodge. The charges likewise represent the Holy Saints John, the Craft's and this lodge's traditional patrons. The feather suggests the eagle, the historic symbol of St. John the Evangelist. The sword further suggests the instrument of St. John the Baptist's martyrdom. The South is set in a field of crimson, the second official color of Kappa Alpha Order, the college fraternity most closely identified with the Old South. The warm red hue suggests the bright color of the sun and the source of light. Set in that quadrant is the unique Magnolia badge device of our lodge. The magnolia blossom is at once emblematic of the South and one of KA's two official floral emblems (-our second, the red rose, is symbolized in the color of its backdrop.) The blossom's pure white petals further allude to the pure image of the Craft's badge - the lambskin apron. The three charges together suggest several more universal themes, such as animal, vegetable, and mineral; wisdom, strength, and beauty; and faith, hope, and charity. These three charges also allude to the our lodge motto; 'Honor ~ Praise ~ Pleasure.' The North is an area of desolation represented by the stark design of masonic pavement in black and white. Yet even this severe image alludes to great lessons taught in both fraternal traditions. This image likewise alludes to St. Thomas, patron of Freemasonry's higher architectural tradition. The black lozenges form an image of a "T." The T-square is an historic symbol of his legacy. Both Magnolia Lodge and Kappa Alpha Order share his feast day as the anniversary of our foundations. He thus serves as the Lodge's fifth patron saint. Lastly, the entire devisal may be allegorical of Kappa Alpha's inspiration - Robert E. Lee of Old Virginia. The sword and quill allude to his roles as soldier and educator. Blue and white memorialize his legacy to Washington and Lee University. The blossom represents his lineage from Southern gentility. Red and white remembers his service to the Confederacy. The blood stained cross is the central emblem of his devout faith, tested by war and adversity yet still gleaming bright even in the darkness of defeat. That profound Christian witness and sacrifice served to bind all aspects of his life together just as the golden saltire symbolizes that of the earlier Christian martyrs. Above all those elements, a black and white pattern recalls a great and inspiring morality play that was Lee's life -- instructing and inspiring generations of our fraternity. His example of fidelity is the firm foundation on which Magnolia continues to build brotherhood through the ancient lessons of Freemasonry. -E. Fain IV, AA'82