Who are the Shriners?
Shriners International is the Shriners’ fraternal organization. Shriners are members of Shriners International.
The fraternity is based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth, with nearly 200 temples (chapters) in 40 countries, and thousands of clubs around the world.
While members enjoy the fraternity’s fun and fellowship, they are also deeply committed to their philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Shriners International founded Shriners Hospitals for Children as its official philanthropy in 1922. What began as one hospital is now a world-renowned health care system with permanent locations in three countries and additional patient connections through outreach clinics and telehealth sites around the world. Nearly 100 years after its founding, the fraternity continues to support Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provides pediatric specialty care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.
In 1870 a group of Masons gathered frequently for lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage on Sixth Avenue in New York City. At a special table on the second floor a particularly fun-loving group of men met regularly. Among the regulars were Walter M. Fleming, M.D. and William J. “Billy” Florence, an actor. The group frequently talked about starting a new fraternity for Masons – one centered on fun and fellowship, more than ritual. Fleming and Florence took this idea seriously enough to do something about it.
Billy Florence had been on tour in France, and had been invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The exotic style, flavors and music of the Arabian-themed party inspired him to suggest this as a theme for the new fraternity. Walter Fleming, a devoted fraternity brother, built on Florence’s ideas and used his knowledge of fraternal ritual to transform the Arabian theme into the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).
With the help of the Knickerbocker Cottage regulars, Fleming drafted the ritual, designed the emblem and costumes, formulated a salutation and declared that members would wear the red fez.
The first meeting of Mecca Shriners, the first temple (chapter) established in the United States, was held September 26, 1872. As word got out about the fledgling organization, membership grew rapidly, spreading across the U.S. In the early 1900s, membership spread into Canada, Mexico and Panama. Today, Shriners International is a fraternity with nearly 200 temples in several countries, thousands of clubs around the world and hundreds of thousands of members dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.
Today the fez is worn at Shriners’ functions, in parades and at outings as a way of gaining exposure for the fraternity. Members customize their fez to show their allegiance to their temple. Look closely at a fez and you will also learn other important information about its wearer, such as membership in Shrine clubs, special roles within the organization and much more. Each fez is custom made and a Shriner may own more than one fez depending on his activities and memberships.
The emblem on the front of the fez, the crescent and scimitar, is an important part of the fraternity’s theme, and is representative of the characteristics embodied by the Shriners.The scimitar stands for the backbone of the fraternity, its members.
The two claws are for the Shriners fraternity and its philanthropy.
The sphinx stands for the governing body of the Shriners.
The five-pointed star represents the thousands of children helped by the philanthropy each year.
The emblem also bears the phrase “Robur et Furor,” which means “Strength and Fu
During the early part of the 20th century membership in Shriners International grew at a steady pace. By 1946, membership had jumped to 150,000 Nobles and another 250,000 had joined by 1958. In fact, Shriners International experienced one of its largest periods of growth in the years following World War II as returning soldiers looked for new ways to continue the camaraderie they had experienced with their fellow soldiers.
As the number of temples and nobles grew, so too did the hospitals. By 1958 the hospitals’ endowment was valued at $125 million and growing. The nobles were proving themselves to be excellent fundraisers. The Shrine Circus, founded in 1906 for fun and entertainment, began to play a role as a significant fundraiser in support of the hospitals.
Today, there are nearly 200 temples across North America, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia. In addition to the Shrine Circus, temples hold events throughout the year ranging from fish fries to concerts, car shows to fishing tournaments. It is fun with a purpose – supporting the important mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children®.
Crescent & Scimitar – the Shrine emblem
Fez – the red headgear worn by the Shriners; a symbol of the fraternity.
Hospitals – the Shrine has 22 hospitals to help children with orthopedic, spinal column, cleft lip and palate, and burn needs and much more
Illustrious Sir – title of the present and past Potentates
Imperial – the governing body of Shriners International
Imperial Session – annual business meeting of Shriners International. Delegates from each Temple meet to discuss and vote on a variety of business matters pertaining to the fraternity and Shriners Hospitals for Children. During each Imperial Session, a new Imperial Potentate is elected. Host cities are many times in or near the hometown, or close to the hometown, of the incoming Imperial Potentate.
Imperial Sir – title given to an officer of the Imperial Divan
Lady – a spouse or female friend of a Shriner
Mason – every Shriner must be a member of this Fraternity, except in Arkansas
Noble – the title each Shriner is addressed by annual business meeting of Shriners International. Delegates from each Temple meet to discuss and vote on a variety of business matters pertaining to the fraternity and Shriners Hospitals for Children. During each Imperial Session, a new Imperial Potentate is elected. Host cities are many times in or near the hometown, or close to the hometown, of the incoming Imperial Potentate.
Potentate – the President or CEO of the Shrine Temple, elected for a one-year term.
PNSA – Pacific Northwest Shrine Club – the group of 18 Shrine Temples in our geographic area who meet on an annual basis to celebrate, entertain and have unit/club competitions.
Shriners – the authorized term for referring to the local Nobles.
Shriners Hospitals for Children – Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay
Shriners International – Shriners International, also commonly known as The Shriners or formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is a Masonic society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Stated Meeting – the regular business meeting for the Nobles of the Temple; they occasionally schedule activities that include the ladies and guests.
Temple – authorized term for referring to the local Shrine building. Can also be referred to as the local Shriners and their organization.
Standing – deciding when to stand and when to remain seated can be confusing – even to the experienced Shrine Ladies! Ladies usually don’t stand when the Nobles are asked to stand unless it is for the Flag Salute or a meal/event prayer. The safest bet is to watch what the highest-ranking lady in the room does (usually the Potentate’s First Lady or the Imperial First Lady if one is present.) You may also watch the other Divan Ladies for your cue if you don’t have a good view of the First Lady. Ladies do stand when the First Lady is being escorted to the stage, introduced, or escorted out.
Eating – the head table should be served before others and no one should begin eating until the Potentate and his Lady begins to eat. Keep your eye on the First Lady or other Divan ladies for your cues.
Prayers – the Nobles say a specific closing at the end of a prayer “so mote it be.” The ladies do not respond with this closing, ladies either remain silent or may respond with “Amen.”