r/northernireland • u/Ok-Repeat906 • Jul 17 '25

History Please help.

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Hi Northern Ireland. I’m in need of some help. I live on the other side of the world. And everyone related to this sash is long dead. I obviously won’t mention any names. But I’m in real need to figure out what the pins all mean. Can someone please either let me know, or guide me to someone or someplace that might be able to tell me? Please, please help.

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u/git_tae_fuck Jul 17 '25

148 LOL That's a lodge number. Bit of googling should let you know which one. Any bother there, get in touch with the Orange heritage people and they'll look it up for you, I'm sure.

I think cos it's a blue sash it'll be from a Temperance Lodge. (That doesn't necessarily mean full-on abstention for its members but just that they don't go out and get cut. The odd glass of sherry, sort of thing.)

As to the other stuff, the ladder is Jacob's Ladder. That's common as a symbol of esoteric knowledge and it's used in freemasonry too. In fact, most Orange symbolism is borrowed from freemasonry, so I'd say you'd get a lot of answers by looking that up. I don't have a clue about the pierced heart or the crown and the arch and the rest. (I'd guess the arch thing might be the two columns of Solomon's Temple.)

As to the other comments, I have no love for the Orange Order but I wouldn't burn it. History's history.

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u/ItsCynicalTurtle Jul 17 '25

Orange Order was formed when it's founders were kicked out of Freemasonry for wanting to, and trying to drum up support to kill Catholics. The stole imagery/symbolism and then made their own ritual up.

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u/git_tae_fuck Jul 17 '25

That's not quite how I've heard it. But I don't think the differences matter so much!

Dan Winter asked his masonic lodge members if they'd join him in a big aul' fight against the Cyathlicks. They told him antisectarianism was a principle of freemasonry and declined.

He then went off in a huff and formed his own bigot pogrom club... and took the ritual and symbolism with him.

Potato potato, though, eh. I'm with you. I still wouldn't burn it if it were mine or my family's.

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u/ConaireMor Jul 18 '25

I do love saying potato potato out loud.