9th Degree Cordon

A broad black watered cordon, worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. At the lower end of this are nine red rosettes, four on each side and one at the bottom. The rosettes symbolize the original nine Elus or “Elected” who were chosen by King Solomon to seek out the assassins of Hiram. The also represent the nine virtues taught in this degree: disinterestedness, courtesy, devotion, firmness, frankness, generosity, self-denial, heroism and patriotism. The color of the cordon reminds us ever to lament the prevalence of ignorance, oppression and error. We should strive to overcome them by means of-the above excellent qualities of an Elu of the Nine.