01/08/2023
Symbolism of the Three Handled Loving Cup
A very old custom, which seems to have almost died out, at least in Craft Masonry, was the passing round of the Loving Cup after the E.A song had been sung. This is a ceremony handed down through the ages and need not be limited to initiations.
The procedure was for three Brethren to stand, two would unsheath their swords and the third (middle) one to hold up the cup by the two handles and to drink whilst the two others defended his back. Having taken his draught, the drinker then wipes the cup with a napkin and hands it to his neighbour, draws his word and protects his neighbour's back whilst he drinks.
A later variation of the Loving Cup for toasting is the large two handled wassail bowl or cup, usually pewter or silver and sometimes bearing the Lodge badge or crest. At the festive Board it is passed round from Brother to Brother around the table. The word "wassail" comes from the old English "Waes Hail", meaning "Be thou whole and of good health". The custom of the protection of the drinker's back is said to date back to Saxon times, when a man might be treacherously stabbed whilst drinking - hence a friend or two to defend him with drawn swords. This may be borne out by the murder, in A.D. 979 of King Edward (later known as Edward the Martyr), when he was so stabbed on the orders of his stepmother, Elfrida, so that her own son, Ethelred could become King instead. He was stabbed at the feast while drinking mead from a two handled loving cup by a paid assassin.
This process of sharing, coupled with protection, helps to reinforce the ancient Masonic bond.
This large & magnificent solid silver example was gifted in 1929 to the Nevil Talbot Lodge in Sheffield and weighs a whopping 1.16kg
It is in the Arts & Crafts style and features Masonic engraving the quality of which is breathtaking.
