THE MEANING OF TAPPING 3 TIMES ON WARDENS’ SHOULDER:
During the First Degree (Initiation) ceremony, the Junior Warden will lead the candidate around the Lodge and twice will take the candidate’s right hand and will tap thrice on the Junior and Senior Wardens’ right shoulder.
What is the signification of such act?
Some literature indicates that the three knocks on both Wardens’ right shoulder represent to those given by the Tyler or it perhaps has a symbolic meaning in the triadic representation of The Holy Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
Others however, explained that the three knocks do not have any specific meaning except that it has been retained in this form in the Initiation ceremony from the time when Brethren used to sit in Lodge’s round table and the candidate was led around and behind them.
As the candidate was led around by the Deacon, the Brethren could see him and also check and ensure that he was a “fit and proper person to be received” meaning that;
He was a male person because his breast was exposed,
He had no metal substances of any kind with him,
He was also penniless (with no money on him) too.
As he was led around the table (assuming clock wise), he would normally pass round at the back of all those seated Brethren.
It was therefore understandable that in order to attract the attention of the Junior and Senior Wardens in an easy and simple manner, that he should tap – with the assistance of the Deacon – on their right shoulder – from the direction he was approaching them.
