(Editor note: This article accompanies an episode of the Three Links Odd Cast.)
A bit of history and understanding of historic regalia. I looked through Odd Fellows Digests, and code of laws from 1826 to 1930s to get a basic understanding of collar regalia. (Of note, I am not going to cover sashes or Encampment or Rebekah historic regalia at this time).
In the 19th century, highly intricate and elaborate collar regalia was the rage. Not only was it beautiful, it provided financial support to the working poor (Fraternalism was at its height and regalia making was a huge cottage industry). The more you spent on regalia, the better it was for the seamstress and embroidery artisans.
During the Great Depression, many in the order saw the elaborate collar regalia with embroidery and fringe as excess in a time where many had little. While the collar never went away, the rope regalia was seen as a more appropriate option during the depression / WW2 years. This lasted for decades until the multi-colored chain regalia became popular. Still minimalist, with a bit of flash.
Fast forward to now, there are very few members who understand the meaning behind the different embroidery patterns, colors or accessories of the collar regalia.
There used to be a number of regalia makers in the USA who offered different styles of collar and a large option of decorations (money talks, to include real gold thread) these were all at the discretion of the jurisdiction & lodges as long as it abided by the SGL Code of Laws Regalia guidelines.
Collars are permitted per the SGL Code of Laws (2024) Chapter XXVII, Section 2. (Regalia).
In the past, collar regalia was covered in great detail in every Digest / Code of Laws regarding specifications and wear of collars. (I have these if anyone wants a good read)
Below is run down of some of the finer points of collar wear (and how to identify them)
Initiatory Degree: Plain white collar. No embroidery, no fringe. no border/trim
1st-2nd Degree: White collar with appropriate colored trim, no fringe, little embroidery (maybe lodge number).
3rd Degree Member Collars (non Officer): White with appropriate colored trim per degree (designs/embroidery on panels optional) Fringe or no Fringe (white or silver in color)
3rd Degree Members Collar (former Officer) Red with white trim (designs/embroidery on panels optional) Fringe or no Fringe (white or silver in color) No Jewel of Office
***All Members will wear the collar of the highest rank/office attained. If you served as an officer, it’s a red collar without a jewel of office (after leaving office) As the Order was so large, this was the quickest way to identify if someone has served as an officer. 3rd degree members who had not held officer positions would wear white collar (as described above) Due to the size of lodges in the past, getting into the chairs was extremely competitive. (not everyone would have the chance to wear a red panel collar).
Officers Collars:
NG, Sec, FS, Trea: Red with white border. Optional embroidery, Fringe is white or silver. Jewel of Office from middle link
VG: Blue with white border. Optional embroidery, Fringe is white or silver, Jewel of Office from middle link
PG: Red with white border. Optional embroidery plus PG star (only one star), Fringe is white or silver, Jewel of Office from middle link
Rules on Collar accessories
Rosettes may be worn on all 3rd degree collars (While at a glance, rosettes may look like stars, they are not (points on rosettes are softer). One Rosette signifies each encampment degree completed. Modern misconception is that “3 stars” on a collar means Past Grand. As mentioned before, those are not stars but rosettes) Past grands are the only ones to get a single Star.
Gold Fringe (Optional) may be worn on all 3rd degree collars for a member who has completed all Encampment degrees.
Past Grands who are also Past Chief Patriarch may wear a roll of purple with gold trim and embroidery at the top of scarlet collar, typically elaborate embroidery, optional embroidered with P.G. and P.C.P. on the front lower panels of the collar.
**This regalia may also be worn by a member who is a current or former member of a Grand Lodge.
Examples of Collars:
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wonderful information and beautiful examples to learn from. Thank you. ❤️✋🏻👁️
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It would be interesting to make a book for all the IOOF regalia with pictures. I will have to catch the podcast to hear more.
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Hello Kristopher, I appreciated your article very much. I am a Rebekah sister located in Stavanger, Norway. Together with 2 other sisters I am working on a project approved by the Norvegian Odd Fellow Academy where we are to write the history of the Rebekah regalia and the symbolic meaning, including the jewels. I would appreciate if you can propose literature that is available for us, I suppose that would be books that are digitalized or available for purchase. Is there an e-mail adress where we can communicate?
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