Why Black? 

Most Masonic bodies that wear fezzes — like the Shriners — wear red. But The Grotto chose black. 

Black, in this context, doesn’t represent mourning or sorrow. Instead, it symbolizes mystery — the unknown. It is the color of the veiled night, of the hidden path, of the unspoken joke waiting to be told. 

The black fez became so iconic that by the early 20th century, it was immediately recognizable as a symbol of Grotto membership. Fraternal regalia catalogs from the 1920s show elaborate versions with gold embroidery, though the basic black form remained consistent. 

The Red Tassel 

The red tassel cutting through the black fez became an elegant symbol of joy breaking through mystery.  A streak of mirth. A glimmer of humor in the darkness. 

Together, the black fez with the red tassel became one of the most striking symbols in American fraternalism. Simple. Bold. Unique. 

Wearing it was (and still is) a declaration: 

“I belong to those who lift spirits.” 

According to the official Grotto Manual, the black and red combination was chosen specifically to differentiate Grotto members from other fez-wearing fraternal orders. This distinctive headgear helped create visibility for the organization at public events and parades, where Grottos often participated alongside other Masonic bodies. 

Why a Lantern? 

If Mokanna represented the veil, the Enchanted Lantern represented what lay beyond it: illumination. 

But this wasn’t a lantern of solemn wisdom — it was a lantern of laughter. 

Light — in the world of The Grotto — means fellowship, joy, and brotherhood. 

In early Grotto ceremonies, actual lanterns were used to illuminate the ritual space, creating an atmosphere that was simultaneously mysterious and welcoming. These weren’t the harsh electric lights of everyday life, but the warm, flickering flames that invited conversation and camaraderie. 

The Enchanted Lantern Charity Program 

The Enchanted Lantern is also the name of The Grotto’s famous charitable initiative. For over a century, Grotto members have donated Enchanted Lanterns in honor of friends, family, or fallen brethren — symbolically keeping their light burning forever. 

Proceeds from Enchanted Lantern donations go to The Grotto’s Humanitarian Foundation, which provides dental care for special needs children. 

Imagine that: 

A symbol that both lights up a ceremony and lights up a child’s smile. 

According to the Supreme Council’s official publications, the Enchanted Lantern program has raised millions of dollars since its inception and helped thousands of children receive dental care that might otherwise have been inaccessible to them. 

“The Enchanted Lantern represents the perfect union of Masonic symbolism and practical charity,” notes Dr. S. Brent Morris, Masonic historian and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry. “It transforms a ritual object into a vehicle for genuine humanitarian service.” 

Ceremony with a Wink 

The first rituals of The Grotto were theatrical masterpieces. 

Strange robes, Flowing veils, Lantern-lit chambers, Exaggerated challenges 

And above all… humor laced into every step 

Where Masonic Lodge rituals taught morality, Grotto rituals taught humanity. 

You might face trials…  …but the lesson was always joy. You might take oaths… 

…but they were oaths to friendship, fellowship, and fun.  You might wear a robe… 

…but it was likely paired with a sly joke or playful stunt. 

This approach was revolutionary in Masonic circles of the late 19th century, where ritual was typically conducted with the utmost seriousness. The Grotto’s willingness to incorporate entertainment into its ceremonies distinguished it from other Masonic bodies and helped define its unique place in the Masonic family. 

The Initiation Experience 

Early Grotto initiations were legendary. 

Candidates often found themselves: 

• • Walking blindfolded (symbolizing the veil over our understanding) 
  • Performing lighthearted tasks (testing their humility) 
  • Facing questions meant to provoke both thought and laughter 
  • Engaging with props or gags (to shake loose self-importance) 

Yet through all the silliness, there was reverence too. The Grotto didn’t humiliate. It humanized. 

Every brother left the ritual feeling like part of something rare — a fellowship that could laugh with you, never at you. 

Historical records from early Grottos indicate that these initiations became so popular that Master Masons would travel considerable distances to witness them. According to the Journal of American Fraternal Studies, “By 1910, Grotto initiations had gained a reputation for being the most entertaining and memorable experiences available within the Masonic family.” 

The Ritual Evolution 

As The Grotto expanded nationally through the early 20th century, the ritual underwent standardization while preserving its essential character. The Supreme Council established guidelines to ensure that all Grottos provided a consistent experience, though local chapters were still encouraged to bring their own creativity to the ceremonial work. 

By the 1920s, many Grottos had established dedicated “Ceremonial Teams” that specialized in performing the rituals with particular theatrical flair. These teams often developed regional reputations for excellence and would sometimes travel to assist newer Grottos or participate in competitions. 

The official ritual book, known as the “Black Book” due to its cover, contained not only the prescribed ceremonial text but also stage directions, prop requirements, and even suggestions for appropriate musical accompaniment. This attention to theatrical detail reflected The Grotto’s understanding that effective ritual is as much about performance as it is about content. 

The Slogans and Sayings: Wisdom in Simplicity 

Like any good fraternal group, The Grotto had catchphrases, slogans, and sayings that summed up its ethos. 

Some of the best include: 

“Good Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun.” 

“In Grotto life, a smile is worth a hundred sermons.” 

“Behind the veil, we are all brothers.” 

“The man who laughs lasts longest.” 

These weren’t just sayings. They were a culture. 

According to Grotto historian Thomas Hamilton, these mottos served as “shorthand expressions of the fundamental Grotto philosophy—that brotherhood is enhanced through shared joy rather than diminished by it.” 

Many of these sayings appeared on Grotto memorabilia, from membership cards to ceremonial banners, constantly reinforcing the organization’s commitment to fellowship and good humor. They also appeared in Grotto publications like The Grotto News, which connected Prophets (as members are known) across geographical distances. 

Symbolic Architecture: The Grotto Temple 

While many Grottos initially met in existing Masonic temples, as the organization grew, dedicated Grotto facilities began to appear in cities across America. These buildings often incorporated symbolic elements that reflected The Grotto’s unique identity. 

Common architectural features included: 

• Entrance halls designed to resemble Middle Eastern grottos or caves 

• Meeting rooms with distinctive black and white color schemes 

• Special lighting arrangements that allowed for dramatic effects during ceremonies 

• Social spaces that facilitated the fellowship so central to The Grotto’s purpose 

According to architectural historian William Moore’s Masonic Temples: Freemasonry, Ritual Architecture, and Masculine Archetypes, “Grotto temples represented a departure from the classical solemnity of blue lodge architecture, embracing a more theatrical and sometimes playful approach to fraternal space.” 

These buildings became important community landmarks, hosting not only Grotto functions but also public events that raised the organization’s profile and supported its charitable endeavors. 

Why These Symbols Still Matter Today 

In the chaos of modern life, rituals of laughter and symbols of joy are more needed than ever. 

The Veil reminds us to look deeper. 

The Lantern reminds us to be a light for others. 

The Black Fez reminds us that even in the dark, we can find laughter. 

Symbols create culture. 

Culture creates community. 

Community creates belonging. 

That’s what The Grotto still offers today. 

For Master Masons seeking the perfect balance between the profound teachings of the Craft and the natural human need for joy and fellowship, The Grotto provides a rare and valuable space. The symbols and rituals that were established over a century ago continue to speak to fundamental human needs that haven’t changed with time. 

As Masonic philosopher Robert G. Davis notes in his work Understanding Manhood in America, “The genius of The Grotto was recognizing that the most profound brotherhood often emerges not from shared solemnity but from shared joy.” 

In El Paso, Texas, Sitara Grotto carries forward this rich symbolic tradition, bringing these timeless elements to a new generation of Master Masons in the Southwest. 

The name “Sitara,” meaning “star” in several languages, connects beautifully with both the starry skies of the Southwest and the symbolic 8-pointed star of the Grotto emblem. This thoughtful naming links the local chapter to both its geographic home and its national organization. 

With its growing Clown Unit, dynamic events, and deep commitment to joy, Sitara Grotto embodies the heart of Mokanna’s mystery: 

Laughter is sacred. Brotherhood is magic. And every veil hides a reason to smile. 

Sitara’s Ceremonial Traditions 

Sitara Grotto has established itself as a guardian of The Grotto’s ceremonial traditions while adapting them to the unique cultural context of the Southwest. The initiation ceremonies maintain the essential balance between meaningful symbolism and good-natured humor that has characterized The Grotto since its inception. 

According to current members, witnessing a Sitara Grotto initiation provides an experience that cannot be adequately described—it must be experienced. The theatrical elements, the camaraderie, and the moments of both laughter and reflection combine to create a truly unforgettable introduction to The Grotto. 

Community Impact 

Beyond its internal ceremonial work, Sitara Grotto has established itself as a positive force in the El Paso community. Through participation in the national Humanitarian Foundation’s dental program for special needs children and local charitable initiatives, Sitara demonstrates that the symbols of The Grotto are not merely historical curiosities but living inspirations for meaningful action. 

Public events sponsored by Sitara Grotto provide opportunities for the wider community to encounter the spirit of fellowship that characterizes The Grotto, even if they cannot participate in the private ceremonies reserved for members. 

What makes The Grotto’s symbolism particularly significant is that it isn’t preserved merely as a historical curiosity—it remains a living, evolving tradition that continues to acquire new layers of meaning with each generation of Prophets. 

When a Master Mason in El Paso dons the black fez today, he participates in a symbolic lineage that connects him not only to the founders of The Grotto but to thousands of brothers who have found meaning in these symbols throughout the decades. 

As cultural historian Albert Pike observed in his Morals and Dogma, “The symbolism of a fraternal order is not merely decorative but constitutive—it creates the shared world within which members find meaning and connection.” 

For contemporary members of Sitara Grotto, the veils, lanterns, and other symbols aren’t relics of a bygone era but vital tools for creating the unique atmosphere that makes The Grotto experience so valuable and distinct from other Masonic bodies. 

Ready to Step Beyond the Veil? 

For Master Masons: 

If you’ve ever wished your Masonic experience came with a little more laughter, a little more joy, and a lot more fellowship — Sitara Grotto awaits you. 

As a Master Mason in good standing with a recognized lodge in El Paso or surrounding areas in New Mexico, you already meet the primary qualification for membership in this unique brotherhood. 

The process for joining is straightforward: 

1. Contact current members of Sitara Grotto for information about meeting times and membership procedures 

1. Attend a social function as a guest to experience the fellowship firsthand 

1. Submit an application with the sponsorship of a current Prophet 

1. Be prepared for an initiation experience unlike any other in Masonry 

Your black fez awaits—along with a brotherhood that balances the profound with the playful in perfect harmony. 

For Curious Readers  

Fascinated by secret symbols and fraternal traditions? The Grotto is just one chapter in a much larger story — Freemasonry itself. 

Your journey begins with understanding the foundations of Masonry, then progressing through the degrees to Master Mason status, at which point the opportunity to join bodies like The Grotto becomes available. 

The path to becoming a Mason typically involves: 

1. Making contact with a local lodge or a Mason you know personally 

1. Meeting with members to learn more about the organization 

1. Submitting a petition for membership 

1. Receiving the three degrees of Craft Masonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason 

Once you have been raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and have demonstrated your commitment to the Craft, the door to The Grotto and its rich symbolic traditions opens to you. 

[Learn how to become a Freemason and start your own path into the world of mystery and brotherhood.] 

References and Further Reading 

Brown, William M. (1952). History of the Grotto: Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. Supreme Council, M.O.V.P.E.R. 

Davis, Robert G. (2005). Understanding Manhood in America: Freemasonry’s Enduring Path to the Mature Masculine. Anchor Communications. 

Hamilton, Thomas (1987). Symbols and Ceremonies: The Ritual Heritage of The Grotto. Journal of American Fraternal Studies, Vol. 12, pp. 34-52. 

Macoy, Robert (1989). A Dictionary of Freemasonry. Bell Publishing. 

Moore, Thomas (1817). Lalla Rookh. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. 

Moore, William D. (2006). Masonic Temples: Freemasonry, Ritual Architecture, and Masculine Archetypes. University of Tennessee Press. 

Morris, S. Brent (2006). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry. Alpha Books. 

Supreme Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (2020). Official Ritual and Manual. www.scgrotto.org 

Whalen, William J. (1966). Handbook of Secret Organizations. Bruce Publishing Company. 

For more information about Freemasonry in El Paso: Grand Lodge of Texas 

For more information about Sitara Grotto: Contact your local Masonic Lodge for meeting times and membership details. 

This article was prepared for informational purposes. All historical information has been compiled from publicly available sources and organizational records. Readers interested in membership should contact their local Masonic Lodge or the Sitara Grotto directly for current information about meetings and membership requirements.