Masonic History & Symbolism: The Masonic Blue Slipper

    The Blue Slipper, usually given to female relatives and wives of Masons, symbolizes the confirmation of a verbal, or spoken deed. In ancient times, removing one’s shoe and giving it to another was to confirm a contract or signify a PROMISE.

    In the Christian Bible, the Book of Ruth tells the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

    Naomi, with her husband Elimelech and their sons Chilion and Mahlon had migrated in time of famine from Bethlehem to Moah, where Mahlon married Ruth, a woman of the country. Subsequently Elimelech and both sons die, leaving no children. Naomi determined to return home, and Ruth, with great constancy towards, and affection for Naomi, left her own people and accompanied her to Bethlehem. There she attracted the attention of Boaz, a wealthy man "of the kindred of Elimelech".

    Boaz, obviously with levirate in mind, said to Ruth: "And now it is true that I am they near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I ... if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well let him ... but if he will not, then will I do the part". On being charged by Boaz to do his duty by purchasing Elimelech's estate and taking over his widow, the kinsman at first agreed, but then demurred when Boaz added that Ruth was part of the transaction. His change of heart apparently was caused by the fact that whereas Naomi was an Israelite and beyond the age of childbearing, Ruth was young and a foreigner, and presumably he did not want her future children competing with his own for his inheritance. "Therefore, the kinsman said unto Boaz, buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe".

    Ruth 4: 7-8 reads:

    "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.

    It goes on to say:

    Moreover Ruth the Moabites, the wife of Mahlon have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance..."So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife; and when he went in unto her the Lord gave her conception, and she bare him a son."...and they called is name Obed, he is the father of Jesse, the father of David".

    Boaz therefore was the great-grandfather, and Ruth the great-grandmother of David, who was the father of Solomon.

    Mason’s have adopted the symbol of the Blue Slipper and carried with it a promise that any woman wearing the slipper, is under the protection of all Masons.

    San Antonio Hat Company has designed our own style of the Masonic Blue Slipper and have made it available to any Mason or their family.

    You can find it on our store! SHOP NOW

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.euclidlodge158.com/documents

https://gossipforjesus.com/2017/05/18/the-danger-of-the-ruth-boaz-narrative-in-defining-christian-relationships/

https://www.thejoshlink.com/article54.htm