The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is a female companion organization to Freemasonry. Men who are Master Masons may also join. Their primary symbol in cemeteries is a five pointed star with a tip pointing down, representing the Star of Bethlehem. In the example at right the letters are FATAL, which stand for Fairest Among Ten-thousand, Altogether Lovely.
Photo: from the gravestone of Fred M. Moore (1878-1949) and Maria A. Moore (1879-1933), Littleton Cemetery, Littleton, Colorado
In the example below each symbol within the star is an emblem for the Biblical heroines Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa, whose stories inspire character building lessons.
Photo: from the headstone of Hannah Meyer (1874-1930), Emanuel at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado
November 19, 2006 at 6:56 pm |
I have several items from my Grandmother’s Eastern Star days, however, one piece (a ring) only has three points. They are blue, green and white with a diamond in the middle. I can’t find any information on a three pointed star. Does anyone have any reference to that? Please email me at GiaMcFia2@aol.com
Thanks.
December 15, 2006 at 8:51 pm |
As for the 3 pointed star, are there missing stones? Or is it just 3 points?
And FATAL is “fairest among thousands alltogether lovely.”
In all jurisdictions the white point is down, except for New York. Theirs is up and there are two ladies standing on either side of their star.
The 5 points are from the upper right and clockwise, Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, Electa.
December 20, 2006 at 1:18 pm |
Do any of you know who Electa is? I have researched this like crazy and can not find anything about her. She IS NOT BIBLICAL. Thanks
January 15, 2007 at 3:04 pm |
Electa is Biblical
May 8, 2007 at 1:55 pm |
Electra is a character from ancient Greek mythology. It is not Biblical. An inverted pentegram is traditionally a sign of Baphomet, or Satan/Lucifer.
December 1, 2009 at 1:22 pm |
It is not Electra…it is ELECTA.
The name Electa, does not appear in the Bible, but she is referred to the brief story as the Elect Lady.
May 11, 2007 at 9:14 am |
Her name is Electa, and she is BIBLICAL and in the bible you can find her in II John 1-13 she is call the “ELECT LADY” she is not from ancient greek mythology or an inverted pentegram or a sign og satan /lucifer. Ladies please do your home work!
July 17, 2007 at 10:27 pm |
I have a 3 inch glass plate with the words eastern star & knights templar & the 5 pointed star in the middle. Why are these two groups on the same plate? are they connected in some way
July 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm |
All of these questions are coming from prospects who are snooping not researching. Read the BIBLE, comprehend but lean not to your own understanding. Gain some knowledge and wisdom and come back with better questions. Then I’ll be happy to answer
August 9, 2007 at 11:15 pm |
So…reading this post has made me laugh…
First off, the woman’s name is nowhere mentioned in Scripture. John’s writings contain the following phrase:
“Εκλεκτῃ Κυρια” (Westcott-Hort)
Eklecta Kuria (Greek, considering Chosen (Favored) and Kuria, femanine form of Kurio, for sir, master, lord. She is considered by some to have the name Kuria more over Electa (or Electra – which was a great movie)
I think the name is simply to a Patron in a local church setting, possibly a deaconess of sorts. She is considered high in esteem with the local congregation (church history records that this letter was sent to Ephesus by John (Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius) and nothing more.
To say her name was “Electa” is pure conjecture.
BTW, which Adah are we talking about here? One of the two wives of Lamech (Gen. 4:20, 23) or the wife of Esau, mother of Eliphaz? It’s pretty easy to find Martha, Ruth and Esther in our Bibles, but, most of the information that is attained and attributed to these women possibly comes from the Book of Jubilees, a book not regulated or regarded as Scripture. I do not see where someone makes the notion of “just read your Bibles – lean not on your own understanding”…we call this irony where I am from…considering sources that are extra-Biblical as role models, from a group that plates out the “Fatherhood of all men (universalism), and “God and the Bible can be found in all religious practices and communities” is just psychobable.
Eh. Just thoughts from a humble, country preacher.
Le’Shane
October 16, 2007 at 12:24 pm |
Why does it matter WHOM these women were, as long as they meant, and DID well?
December 6, 2007 at 11:41 pm |
The questions that you ask are not the right ones. To say it is conjuncture when we call her Electa is odd. Why would someone seek to understand a person and not name her as one. What is the REAL reason for your curiosity. If you do not have a name and we provide you with one, does that mean that we have dishonred you? Or does that mean that we have seeked to know you?
Electra may be Greek Mythology, but Electa is not.
When you read your Bible, find any character that you like. Pray that God annoints your heart and mind to understand why he would include these exerts in his book of direction that was left for us. Is it your own arrogance that has caused you to question God and why He would include certain stories and works?
So while you are trying to google an answer, try another search engine. It is called prayer.
December 12, 2007 at 2:25 pm |
How can we find the truth if we do not ask questions? If there is doubt and arrogance in our hearts then let us not hide it but let us not flaunt it either. Lets be truthful with God about our doubts.
January 12, 2008 at 5:41 pm |
It is conjecture. To call her the “elect lady,” and then anglicize this into a name is just conjecture. For example, the conjecture would be that her name was “Electa.” I’m not denying John calls her the “elect lady,” what I’m basing as conjecture is that this is what her name means. There is nowhere to suggest this.
January 13, 2008 at 6:10 am |
Greetings All belonging to my Fraternity and those not alike.
It is interesting how something such as this mere website can spark so much debate.
All that ask any questions regarding the Order should seek the information by inquiring with your local lodge or OES chapter and if truly found of good character you can be afforded the rite of passage and receive the answers to your questions in full. Of course you will not learn what the true intention of the information is that you seek unless you experience it. The internet provides alot of info, but the accuracy is as honorable as the writer to which you do not know in most cases.
If you are truly interested this is how you find it out. If you still find it demonic or satanic or whatever other myths that are out there, you can always leave and never return. It is in my opinion ignorant to base your theory, train of thought or perceptions off of that which you do not know personally.
God Bless.
January 16, 2008 at 8:10 am |
A LIFE EXEMPLIFYING LOVE
Life holds no greater lessons than the two outstanding precepts taught in the lesson of the Fifth Point – Electa. The first is, “Heroic endurance of persecution when demanded in the defense of truth of truth.”
The name Electa, does not appear in the Bible, but she is referred to the brief story as the Elect Lady.
The scene of the story is laid in Asia Minor, the peninsula lying between the Black Sea on the north and the Mediterranean Sea on the south. The date of the writing of this story is between 85 and 95 A.D.
Persecution comes in many different forms and for various purposes. Whatever the form, whether it be the faithlessness of a trusted friend, the caustic sneer of an enemy, the outflashing of envy or jealousy on the part of a trusted friend, discourtesy on the part of a superior or just the visitation of some trial that may come to you – whatever my be the form, there is but one safe course to pursue, and that is “bear it with heroic endurance and despair not.”
Electa was noted for her charity and benevolence. A woman of refinement and wealth who wanted to feed and succor the poor and hungry and to relieve the sufferings of those afflicted with body ills. She was in truth the great Red Cross nurse, ready at all times to step in where want and misery prevailed, and where relief was sorely needed. She delighted in using her vast wealth for the relief of mankind.
Her Christian beliefs soon became known throughout the land, and one day she was visited by a band of Roman soldiers who bade her renounce the religion she has adopted. They even presented her with a cross and demanded that she trample it under foot in order to show to the world that she renounced this new-found religion.
It is said that she opened not her mouth, that she uttered no word of protest, but took the cross in her hands and clasped it with ardor to her breast, and looked toward heaven to show that she put her trust in the God of her religion.
The scripture text from which this heroine takes her lead is found in the Second Epistle of John, and is only a short letter addressed to “the Elect Lady” and her children.” The message contains only thirteen short verses and less than three hundred words, and that is all the Bible references that we can find. The name Electa, like that of Adah, seems to be a creation of Robert Morris, the writer of the Eastern Star Ritual, and it has no significance outside our Order. Perhaps the words of Robert Morris himself could appropriately be given just at this point. Brother Morris says: “The Fifth Point introduced me to the early history of the Christian church, where ‘midst a ‘noble army of martyrs,’ I found many whose lives and deaths overflowed the cup of martyrdom with a glory not surpassed by any of those named in the Holy Writ. This gave me Electa, “the Elect Lady,” friend of St. John – the Christian woman whose venerable years were crowned with the utmost splendor of the crucifixion. The fact that the name of this estimable woman cannot be ascertained with certainty does not lessen our interest nor the value of the many lessons taught. The story is true enough, but it is the name only, so to speak, that does not have a basis in fact. It seems to me that nothing is lost by accepting the statement, ‘the Elect Lady,’ to be an individual. The lesson taught can be widely and wisely applied.
St. John exhorts her to love. It is a personal request made by the Master Himself, when He says: “I give unto you a new commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” “The highest expression of brotherly love is found in obedience to all the commands which God has enjoined in the regulation of the relations between brethren. The clearest expression of love is obedience to the will of God so far as He ahs revealed His will in definite precepts.
It is in reality a command that she should abide steadfastly in what she now knows and believes and let this knowledge regulate her life.
The growth and activity of the Christian religion was bound to stir up adverse action on the part of the Roman government sooner or later, because of the very nature of it; in fact, it had become quite irritating and pressure had been brought to eradicate it. The splendid mansion of Electa was singled out as one to be visited. The edict of the Roman government was issued against every one who professed the Christian religion. All who were suspected of holding to the Faith were commanded to trample upon the cross that was handed to them, as a testimony of this renunciation. Electa absolutely refused to obey the edict. She spurned the test, and she and her family were forthwith cast into a dungeon for twelve months. At the end of the time the judge, who had often shared her hospitality, appeared and offered her another opportunity to recant from Christianity, and again she refused. Thereupon she was dragged forth and savagely scourged nearly to death, and then dragged to a hill where she and her entire family were nailed to the cross. She was the last one to meet the fate, and she was compelled to witness the tragic death of her husband and children. She is quoted as saying with her expiring breath: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
She professed her faith to the whole world, although she knew what reproaches, and persecutions, even unto death, she must undergo for the stand that she took. It meant loss of good name, wealth, means of doing good, liberty, family, and death itself. Yet she was willing to undergo all these things for the love of Christ and for the Christian religion in which she showed such implicit faith. What a rich heritage was hers! “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building in God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Electa, the martyr to her Christian faith, stands out as a striking example of the life and death of the early Christians. She is also an example of the Eternal Truth as laid down by Jesus when He said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father except by Me.”
“Let us love one another.”
It is especially fitting that this “Electa Lady”, given the individual name of “Electa” should represent the fifth and honored last Degree in the Eastern Star Ritual. As the heroine of the fifth point of the Star, she presents the glory and benedictions of patience and submission to the will of god under the stress of wrong treatment and deadly persecution. Just as Freemasonry emphasizes in all its Ritual, tenets, symbols, and lectures that genuine goodliness requires that one give up life rather than prove unfaithful to truth and duty, so the Rites of the Eastern Star reach their climax with teh same truth.
July 30, 2009 at 12:32 am |
The comment right below yours states this (Normally with the point facing up, it means the spirit is in command of the elements and all is in balance (the goal we all strive to achive). With it down, it represents that the spirit is under influence of the elements (the world around) and is seen as representing a symbol of a student aspiring to the goals of the upright pentagram.
I do not know how this applies to the Eastern Star, but it is pretty universal amongst all the cultures that have employed this symbol. It has more to do with Eastern Thought and enlightnenment than anything “Satanic”.) You must know being a Christian that confused me” Can you help explain what it means in the OES.
February 3, 2008 at 9:14 pm |
Contary to popular belief, the inverted pentagram is not a symbol for satan except to Christians. Traditionally, the five points represent the 4 elements, with the fifth representing the human spirit or soul. Normally with the point facing up, it means the spirit is in command of the elements and all is in balance (the goal we all strive to achive). With it down, it represents that the spirit is under influence of the elements (the world around) and is seen as representing a symbol of a student aspiring to the goals of the upright pentagram.
I do not know how this applies to the Eastern Star, but it is pretty universal amongst all the cultures that have employed this symbol. It has more to do with Eastern Thought and enlightnenment than anything “Satanic”.
April 30, 2008 at 10:05 am |
Electa is in the Bible John 11:21-26 she is call the Elect Lady……….
June 5, 2008 at 10:25 am |
what of krishnamurti disbanding the order?
June 9, 2008 at 5:50 pm |
My Grandfather and Grandmother both died within the last year. When going through their items I came across a wooden 5 sided star about the size of a softball with the letters F.A.T.A.L. I wonder if anyone could give me any information not published above in relation to this. I am not aware of my grandparents being Masons so it was a strange find to come across. Unlike the above items in addition to the letters, and the 5 emblems of the sword, crown, etc. there is also an open book, a flower, a sun, and two 4 legged animals.
Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks
August 12, 2008 at 7:52 pm |
this is not to be talked about if you do not belong to the order
August 13, 2008 at 12:23 am |
Just a note to the “Christians” that continuosly flame people and ignorantly wish to point a finger at all (who are different or believe differently) and insinuate they are anti-christs, the Catholic Church has removed several (somewhere in the ball park of 40 if not more) books and tomes from the collective ‘Bible,’ and then several Protestant religions have since proceeded to remove several more. Then less than fifty years ago a church council (in the US) motioned to remove defining factors of the bible and completely expunged the name of the heavenly father (by the 1990’s) from almost all bibles, because the notion of the heavenly father NOT being Jesus but Jesus’s father (with whom he prayed to regularly and called out to upon death! Mark 15:24 and Matthew 27:46) because it denotes your doctrines!? If you dare contest that the name of GOD Almighty is not not Yahweh or Jehovah find an old bible (Old King James, St. Joseph’s, The Diaglott, etc.) and read some of these passages. Exodus 6:3 (this one slipped in most new bibles as well because HE shall not allow HIS name to be forgotten) Numbers 36:2, Jeremiah 7:4, Isaiah 63:7, Numbers 11:1, Job 2:1, Malachi 1:4, Jonah 1:3, Zephaniah 1:7, 1st Samuel 1:28, Joel 1:9… And the list goes on… I am not a member of this religious group or any really, been kicked out of to many for heresy. They don’t much like education or questions. I would rather be a herectic though than die a fool. I believe that Jehovah wants all his children to be wise, no matter what religion you are… and asking questions is patriotic! (In case you didn’t know that one its Thomas Jefferson) Don’t flame an organization for being sheep that aren’t being lead to the slaughter though. That’s all. I niether endorse nor deny the OES or FM, just curious, and I see alot of ancient things that could easily be mistranslated and I see alot of things that squash conspiracies. Not that I denounce all the conspiracy theories, just the most of them…
September 29, 2008 at 4:31 pm |
The elect lady John was writing to was a local church, her children were the members and the sister was another local church.
October 8, 2008 at 12:37 pm |
The elect lady is not a person. She is one of the church’s in Asia Minor. Her children are the members of the church. This was done as a form of encryption to avoid persecution by the Romans and the Jews. We do not know which church it was, and it did not always work. Persecution was a very real danger, especially to Paul and the apostles, which is why they would use this type of communication. As a side note, look up the Bible verse quoted in the OES Ritual, not all of it comes from II John.
October 10, 2008 at 7:30 pm |
Let me get this straight Master Masons can join The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) but women cannot join the Freemasons. Why?
December 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm |
Freemasons and OES use symbolism to teach lessons of morality. Christian, I am but freemason I am also. I look at freemasonry as a supplement just as a person who eats well sometimes takes supplements to receive more vitamins and minerals. Freemasonry is not a religion but an entity that promotes good moral living and inculcates praise for supreme being. Is this wrong? I think not, however if a person does not believe in supreme being whether the name is Jehovah, Jesus, Messiah, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God, Yahweh, Adonai, or simply a symbol representing the almighty creator, are they not lost? According to Christianity salvation is obtained by believing in the son of God who came to earth as a gift from God to save all created by God who desires it. Many Jews do not accept this doctrine but biblical history affords us enough to understand why the Jewish people feel the way they do. Al in all God loves us all and allows the sun to shine on all people just as all people receive rain when needed. I beleive in my heart that creations of the most high God should worship him in truth daily and request of him the answers to their questions. God will answer your questions either in meditation or by a worthy friend.
January 15, 2009 at 7:13 pm |
Susan & O.E.S. Till I die,
It really doesn’t matter if Electa is in the bible or not. What matters is that we know that we are God’s children and that we behave accordingly.
I myself am not a Freemason, but deceased and still living family members are, or were. I have been asked to bring the LORD’s message to you as Freemasons.
I wish to point out that the Morning Star is a sign given to those who are living witnesses of the Lord (Adonai) and His LORD (YHWH).
If you are not yet a witness, it is best that you do not make use of the Morning Star. (You will know that you are a witness when the “problem” of the resurrection is resolved and the Lord appears in the glory of the Father Eternal and His angels – Revelation 1:18).
Godspeed all, in your quests for justice and truth!
April 24, 2009 at 8:11 am |
I’m a sister. And i have battled with my parents, family, and friends, about joining. I have heard it all. And its all negative. All i can say is that until you become one, then you will never truly know it in its entirety. I WILL SAY THAT I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL MY HEART. IF AT ANY POINT IN MY JOURNEY I SEE THAT THE PRACTICES AND TEACHINGS ARE NOT IN ACCORDENCE WITH “THE MOST HIGH”, I DO KNOW HOW TO DISASSOCIATE MYSELF FROM THE ORDER IN THE PROPER MANNER.
July 30, 2009 at 12:35 am |
I think I agree w/ that but I still have some question that I want to direct only to those who already attend. They would know the answer better than anyone out side of the organization.I just ask for honesty.
May 17, 2009 at 5:38 pm |
Greetings. I am an avid collector and preserver of items that bare the symbols, seals, and markings of secret socities, organizations, and the like. I try to make it a point to understand the sybolism behind such objects collected, as I find learning such to be a facinating and insightful journey. I have recently obtained a very beautiful tea cup with the Eastern Star upon it. What I need help with is the meaning of the symbols thereon. More specifically:
The Point representing Esther, what is the significance of that point being “white” and what does the “crown and scepter” in it stand for?
The Point represeting Marhta, what is the significance of that point bing “green” and what does the “column” in it represent?
The Point representing Electa, what is the significance of that point being “red” and what does the “cup” within it stand for?
The Point Prepresenting Adah what is the significance of that point being “blue” and what does the “sword and vail” in it mean?
The Point prepresenting Ruth, what is the significance of that point being “golden”, and is that a bail of wheat, hay, or straw, and what is it’s meaning within that point?
Also, in the center of the pentagram there is a smaller light blue pentagon, why is this smaller pentagon a “light blue”?
Within the smaller light blue pentagon in the center of this Eastern Star is an “Open book” upon an “alter”, what does this book stand for?
And lastly, on the “alter” that the open book rests upon are two other symbols, the first appears to be the letter “O” with the letter “E” over top of it, and second sybol beside it is the letter “S”.
I know what the FATAL stands for, and I know the significance of the pentegram itself. Any help with the above questions would be greatful. Thanks you.
May 28, 2009 at 3:07 pm |
William,
I can appreciate your desire to understand the colors and symbols that are associated with the points of the star. Several previous posts explained by members of the order have basically stated that you won’t get a full understanding of the depth of the meaning of the lessons with out seeking membership.
What I think you should understand is that each point of the star is represented by a woman who is by her own right a heroine. As such, the founder and ritual writer, choose to give each woman a color. From the lesson that the point teaches symbols are taken from that story to help represent her.
For example, your first question was on Esther, the white point of the star. This is the point that you will find facing down. You ask why white and why the crown and scepter. If you read the book of Esther in the bible (found right before the book of Job – another great story) you will find a story of a virtuous woman who was willing to sacrifice her life for her people. Esther became Queen because of her beauty, but her Jewish heritage was kept a secret from the King. When he signed an order to kill the Jewish people, Esther went before her King (and husband) and begged for the life of her people. If he was going to kill them, she wanted to die with them. The crown and scepter is a symbol of her station in life, amongst other things.
If you are that interested in the stories represented by the 5 points of the Eastern Star, seek out your local Masonic Lodge/Center and ask them for help.
As for the O E S … Order of Eastern Star
.
I wish you the best of luck.
Fraternally,
Amy
June 16, 2009 at 2:29 am |
I am not a sister and I have plans of joining. My grandmother and aunts are sisters and my husband is a mason. I have seen nothing demonic about either orders and I believe that people who are not affiliated simply take what they have heard and run with it.
I have read in this post people arguing about something as simple as a womans name. her name is not important it was her role that mattered.
I am a Chistian and very God-fearing which has taught me not to judge.. so I ask you that are on here judging Masons and Eastern Stars Where is God in that?
June 24, 2009 at 10:31 pm |
As a forth year member of my local OES Chapter and sitting in the chair of Esther for my second year; I can tell you there is nothing satanic about what goes on behind the closed doors. I have a very strong faith in God my Father as does my husband and P.M. of his lodge.
It is unfortunate however that some people are so closed minded that they refuse to listen to the truth. My daughter-in-law blew a gasket a few months ago when our son joined the Masons. It was a very proud day for myself and my husband (stepfather). She never let on her true feelings until the day of the ceremony, and she hasen’t spoken to us since; even going so far as to refuse us visitation of our 5 mo. old grandson. Our hearts are broken and I feel sorry for her, that her mind is so closed to the joy and love we share with our fraternal family. We pray one day her eyes will be opened and we can all be together again.
June 25, 2009 at 2:27 pm |
The individual from Greek mythology you are referencing is Electra, not Electa. Yes, there was a movie of the same name, but you’re confusing Electa with Electra (with an “r”). There’s even a term in psychology that comes from her called “the Electra complex,” which is the female counterpart to the Oedipus complex. I don’t know where Electa comes from, but it’s not from Greek mythology.
August 31, 2009 at 12:41 am |
My comment is inregards to the post left from R.A. Malloy.
My mother is an Eastern Star member, my grandmother was, and my Grandfather is a Mason. I am not yet a member, my mother is gathering information on how I would join.
I don’t understand the problem with your son joining. This is something he obviously believes in and being his wife she should support him in whatever decisions he makes. Especially one as this.
I do know that there are many people who consider the Eastern Star and Masons as some type of demonic cult or something like that. Maybe she was just raised in a family that is very biased to things like this. I don’t believe it is right and it sounds as if you don’t either. Maybe your son could give you more insight on the matter.
I am so sorry to hear that your grandchild is being kept from you and I hope and pray things work out for you and your family.
Hoping to become a member,
Betty
December 15, 2009 at 8:04 am |
My mother was OES and her father was a Mason. How do I go about obtaining proof of this to submit with my petition to join OES? Is her name and her father’s name enough?