Whilst it is true to say that the R.A.O.B. G.L.E. seal is just a logo to apply to letterheads, certificates, etc. or is just a piece of enamelled metal, it is the intricate design of the seal that attracts the attention of those who look closely at it.
One could compare it to a flawless diamond who’s real beauty lies beneath the the surface and who’s many faces hide the intricate design associated with it’s polished surface.
The following is my interpretation of this beautiful diamond we call “The Seal of the Order”.
Certainly, up until 1960 all limited companies must have a Seal and though most consist of a simple circle, some are encompassed by what appears in every day words as a belt, as shown on many KOM jewels where the head of the buffalo is surrounded by a belt, I am assured however by a higher authority that it is indeed a garter as worn by the Knights of the Order of the Garter, the oldest Order of Chivalry in this country.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry, or knighthood, originating in medieval England. The Order is dedicated to the image and arms of St. George as England’s patron saint, and is presently bestowed on recipients from British and other Realms; it is the pinnacle of the honours system in the United Kingdom. Membership in the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than twenty four members, or Companions.
The Garter is still mentioned in a lot of our ceremonies, for example the paragraph which appears in the ceremony for the presentation of Honorary Membership reads “At the head is the badge of the Order with a garter ribbon bearing the motto Nemo Mortalium Omnibus Horis Sapit”.
It is the octagonal design of our Seal that some may think might be a connection between the Order and the octagonal plans of the churches built by the Knights Templar to whom reference was made in ceremonies now discarded, even today there is reference to the old time Knights, this being the small plain Maltese Cross at the bottom of the circle. Closer examination of the older seal shows the wording around the circle reads, “In • things • essential • Unity : In • things • doubtful • Liberty : and • in • all • things • Charity • &”. This is quite clearly shown on the front cover of Mervyn Payne’s ‘Origin and Development of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes’. It just goes to show that proof readers were as bad in the olden days as they are today.
The words quoted in the above paragraph are the motto of Saint Augustine of Hippo who lived in the fourth Century, St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron Saint of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.
Another difference in the seal of today and that of yesteryears is that the older style shows the outer circle supported by eight triangles, the importance of which seems to be to give the impression that the outer circle is raised up, today’s seal shows the inner circle encompassed by a ring of beads or diamonds, now this could be emblematically explained by using this illustration as a Golden Chain which, when used in the dedication of new Lodges tells us “The Golden Chain encircling the Spirit Fire teaches us the eternity off True Friendship”. This Golden Chain is emblematic of Prudence.
If you wish to read more about the Seal of the RAOB GLE please click on this link The Seal of the R.A.O.B., G.L.E.