The
Seven Symbols of the Klan
The language of symbolism is the most beautiful, the most expressive, and the most impressive of any language known to mankind. Who can read the story of Noah’s Ark without the church; or the story of the scapegoat, the brazen serpent, or the Feast of the Passover, without thinking of the Christ who takes away all our iniquities and delivers us from the bondage of sin?
In the sublime ceremonies of Klankraft, we take it that we use seven significant symbols, each of which convey and inculcate a very beautiful lesson, and emphasize a great Klan principle, when the language of symbols is properly understood. They are, in order of their importance: The Bible, the Cross, the Flag, the Sword, the Water, the Robe and the Mask.
THE BIBLE
This book divine signifies that there is a God. No sane man of reasonable intelligence can look upon this sacred volume without thinking of God as its author, righteousness as its aim, and eternal life as its end. It is a constant reminder that God is our Father, life is our opportunity, and Heaven is our home. It reveals the way of life and the cause of death. It is a lamp to our feet, a light upon our pathway, and the ONLY sure guide to right living. It is the Book of Books and reveals the ONLY TRUE GOD.
In a klavern you will always find this wonderful book open at the twelfth chapter of Romans. This is the most practical and complete chapter in the whole Bible on Christian living. It is a constant reminder of the tenets of the Christian religion, and is a Klansman’s Law of Life. Every Klansman should read it the first thing every morning and endeavor to live by it during the day. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God” that you follow its teachings.
THE CROSS
Out of the wonderful story of the sacred pages of this old Book divine comes the sad, sweet story of Calvary’s rugged but holy cross. This old cross is a symbol of sacrifice and service, and a sign of Christian religion. Sanctified and made holy nearly 19 centuries ago by the suffering and blood of the crucified Christ, bathed in the blood of 50,000,000 martyrs who did in the most holy faith, it stands in every klavern of the KU KLUX KLAN, Inc, as a constant reminder that Christ is our criterion of character and His teachings of our rule of life --- blood-bought, holy, sanctified, and sublime.
It was once a sign of ignominy, disgrace, and shame; but being bathed in the blood of the lowly Nazarene, it has been transformed into a symbol of faith, hope, and love. It inspired the crusaders of the Middle Ages in their perilous efforts to rescue the Holy Land from the heathen Turks and is today being increasing hordes of the anti-Christ, and the enemies of the principles of pure Americanism.
We have added the fire to signify that “Christ is the light of the world.” As the light drives away the darkness and gloom so a knowledge of the truth dispels ignorance and superstition. As fire purifies gold, silver, and precious stones, but destroys the dross, wood, hay, and stubble, so by the fire of Calvary’s cross we mean to purify and cleanse our virtues by burning out our vices by the fire of His word. Who can look upon the sublime symbol, or sit in its sacred, holy light with out being inspired with a holy desire and determination to be a better man? “By this sign we conquer.”
THE FLAG
This old flag purchased by the blood and suffering of American heroes, represents the price paid for American liberties. It is the symbol of the Constitution of the Untied States of America, free speech, free press, free schools, freedom of worship, and all constitutional laws, both state and national.
Its red is the blood of American heroes that stained 100 battlefields. Its white symbolizes the purity of American womanhood and the sanctity of American homes. Its blue is but a patch of America’s unclouded sky, snatched from the diamond-studied canopy that bends over our native land. Its stars represent an aggregation of undefeated states bound together in an inseparable union.
It has never been trailed in the dust, trampled in the mud, or defeated in battle. It has never led a retreat or been hauled down at the command of the enemy. It was purchased by the blood and sacrifice of our fathers, and we have most sacredly vowed that we will uphold and defend it with our sacred honor, our posterity, our blood, and our lives. The KU KLUX KLAN, Inc., will forever defend the principles of pure Americanism, and thus perpetuate the sacred memory of our venerable and heroic dead.
Who can stand under these Stars and Stripes, remembering the sacred traditions that entwine about its holy past, without feeling that sublime patriotism that inspired our noble sires to die for our own, our native land?
THE SWORD
This unsheathed sword of steel is a symbol of law enforcement. It represents the military, or enforcement power of our government, from the President down to the constable. Its presence on our sacred alter signifies that we, as and organization, or solidly behind every law enforcement officer in the land to “help, aid, and assist the proper performance of their legal duties.” We stand unconditionally and unqualifiedly for the just and impartial enforcement of law and for the defense and protection of all rights and privileges of all citizens alike, regardless of race, color, creed, lineage, or tongue.
This sword also signifies that we are set for the defense of our flag and all that it symbolizes against the attack and people in the whole world. We believe in America for Americans, and are sworn to defend it by all justifiable means and methods from any encroachment whatever, whether it be traitors with in and enemies without.
The sword is a constant reminder of our obligation to defend our country and enforce its laws, through duly constituted authorities and justifiable means and methods. May we wield it wisely and well in defense of our country, our homes, our flag, our liberties, and humanity?
THE WATER
“This God-given, powerful, life-giving fluid, more precious and far more significant than all the sacred oils of the ancients,” is a symbol of the purity of life and the unity of purpose. With this divinely distilled fluid we have been dedicated and set apart, in body, in mind, in spirit, and in life to the sacred, sublime, and holy principles of Klan Kraft. In this dedicatory service we are solemnly admonished to keep our character as transparent and as clear and clean as the liquid in this glass. A drop of liquid or blood in this crystal fluid will have the same effect as sin in our lives. May we keep our liquid clear and transparent—free from the sin stains of evil and wrongdoing?
“As water is useful to human life, so may we, as Klansmen, be useful to humanity.” As drops of water mingle and intermingle, thus becoming one solid mass, may we, as Klansmen, become so united each with the other that we will become one solid mass, or one body in Klankraft. Thus we see that water is a beautiful symbol of unity, usefulness, and purity. Who can fail to learn from these crops of water the lesson of Klannishness and of brotherhood in a common service to mankind?
THE ROBE
“ The distinguishing marks of a Klansman are not found in the fiber of his garments or in his social, political, or financial standing; but they are spiritual, viz, a chivalric head, a compassionate heart, a prudent tongue and a courageous will; all devoted and consecrated to our country, our homes, our Klan, and each other.”
We use the robe to signify that we do not judge men by the clothes they wear and to conceal the difference in our clothing as well as our personality. There are no rich or poor, high or low, in Klankraft. As we look upon a body of Klansmen robed in white we are forcibly reminded that they are on a common level. By this means we also hope to conceal our identity, which is a sensible principle of Klankraft.
This robe is also a symbol of righteousness to be worn by the saints in the land of Yet-to-Come. The aged apostle a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos peered into the portals of the great beyond and caught a glimpse of the saints robed in white “which is a sensible principle of Klankraft.
“A lying scoundrel may wrap his disgraceful frame in the sacred folds of a Klansman’s robe and deceive the very elect, but ONLY a Klansman possesses a Klansman’s heart and a Klansman’s soul.” Therefore as we seek to cover here our filthy rags and imperfect lives with the robe of Klansman, may we through the grace of God and by following His Christ be able to hide the scars and stains of sin with the righteousness of Christ as we stand before His great white throne.
Who can don the white robe of a Klansman without stirring in his heart a holy desire to be found worthy to wear the white robe of the saints when he passes beyond this vale of tears?
THE MASK
It is a symbol of unselfishness. With the mask we hide our individuality and sink ourselves into the great sea of Klan Kraft. Not as individuals, but as Klansmen, “We sacrifice to serve,” Our motto is, Non Silba Sed Anthar --- “Not for self but for others.” Therefore, we hide self behind the mask that we may be unselfish in our service.
Who can look upon a multitude of white-robed Klansmen without thinking of the equality and unselfishness of that throng or white-robed saints in the Glory Land? May the God of Heaven, who looks not upon the outward appearance, but upon the heart, find every Klansmen worthy of the robe and mask that he wears? Then when we “do the things we teach,” and “live the lives we preach, the title of “Klansman” will be the MOST HONORABLE TITLE AMONG MEN.”
Thus with our symbols we seek to emphasize and impress the sacred, sublime, and holy principles of Klankraft, With God as our Father, Christ as our criterion, the Bible as our guide, the cross our inspiration, and the flag as our protection, we mean to march on a triumphant victory for the principles of right in the Traditional Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.