Historical Context
Editorially reviewedThe combination is especially associated with the eighteenth or Rose Croix degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Degree wording and theological emphasis have changed between jurisdictions and periods, while the pelican, cross, and rose remained visible elements of its material culture.
Provenance: The pelican in her piety is a medieval and early modern Christian emblem that predates Freemasonry. It was incorporated into Masonic Rose Croix traditions and is documented on nineteenth- and twentieth-century Scottish Rite regalia and jewels.
Context note: The image depicts legendary self-wounding by a parent bird; it should be explained as inherited Christian emblematic imagery rather than literal natural history.
Research status: reviewed · reviewed 01/09/2026
Sources
2 referencesNew to the Collection: Scottish Rite Rose Croix Apron
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, 2 February 2016. (Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library)
Supports: Museum record documenting the pelican, cross, and rose on Rose Croix regalia and their Christian resurrection context.
Scottish Rite, NMJ, accessed 1 September 2026. (Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction)
Supports: Institutional history documenting the cross, pelican, and rose in the eighteenth degree and changes to its Christian emphasis.
How to cite this page
Rosicrucian Pelican and Rose Cross. Sanctum Hex Vault. Reviewed 01/09/2026. https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-symbols-emblems-and-insignia-used-by-secret-societies-initiatory-orders-and-fraternal-organisations-with-emphasis-on-verifiable-institutional-use-rather-than-modern-conspiracy-attribution-rosicrucian-pelican-and-rose-cross
https://vault.sanctumhex.com/symbols/historically-documented-symbols-emblems-and-insignia-used-by-secret-societies-initiatory-orders-and-fraternal-organisations-with-emphasis-on-verifiable-institutional-use-rather-than-modern-conspiracy-attribution-rosicrucian-pelican-and-rose-crossScottish Rite Symbols
Rosicrucian Pelican and Rose Cross
A pelican feeding her young combined with the rose and cross in Masonic Rose Croix imagery, particularly the Scottish Rite eighteenth degree.
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Related Symbols
Shared tradition: christian, hermeticism
Rose Cross
A rose joined to a cross, associated with Rosicrucian names, writings, organisations, and later initiatory traditions.
