The Forget Me Not
Forget-Me-Not and Freemasonry
Freemasonry, like many historical organizations, has long used symbols to communicate its values and principles. One such symbol, which has gained widespread recognition in modern times, is the blue Forget-Me-Not flower. This five-petaled flower, although more commonly associated with the natural world, has taken on a unique meaning within certain Masonic traditions. The Forget-Me-Not is often cited as a symbol of Freemasonry’s perseverance during the oppressive regime of Nazi Germany. However, the historical accuracy and extent of this association are subjects of debate among Masonic scholars and historians.
Freemasonry in Nazi Germany
When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, Freemasonry was one of many organizations targeted by the Nazi regime. Freemasons, along with Jews, communists, and other groups, were viewed as enemies of the state. Hitler and key Nazi ideologues believed that Freemasonry was part of a broader Jewish conspiracy to undermine Germany, and thus it became one of the focal points of Nazi persecution (U nited States Holocaust Memorial Museum [USHMM], n.d.).
The Nazi regime systematically suppressed Masonic lodges throughout Germany, banning the organization by decree and seizing property. By 1935, Freemasonry was outlawed in the Third Reich, and members were subject to persecution. According to the USHMM, an estimated 80,000 to 85,000 Masons were active in Germany before the Nazi crackdown (USHMM, n.d.). Many Masonic lodges were raided, and their members were arrested or sent to concentration camps. The symbol of Freemasonry, the square and compass, became a mark of suspicion under Nazi rule, leading to the need for more discreet symbols.
The Forget-Me-Not Flower: A Symbol of Discretion?
The story of the Forget-Me-Not flower as a Masonic symbol in Nazi Germany is often recounted in Masonic circles, though it remains a subject of scholarly debate. According to some accounts, members of the German Grand Lodge of the Sun (one of Germany's pre-war Grand Lodges) adopted the Forget-Me-Not flower as a secret symbol of Freemasonry after the Nazi crackdown. The blue flower was said to be worn in place of the more recognizable square and compass emblem to avoid detection by the Gestapo (Callaway, n.d.).
This narrative, however, is difficult to verify. Masonic historian Paul Bessel and author John J. Robinson have pointed out that there is limited documentary evidence to support the widespread use of the Forget-Me-Not as a covert Masonic symbol during this time (Bessel, 2005; Robinson, 1990). While it is clear that Freemasonry continued in secret in Nazi Germany, the use of the Forget-Me-Not as a universal symbol of Masonic resistance is not well-documented in primary historical sources.
Forget-Me-Not: A Post-War Symbol of Remembrance
The Forget-Me-Not flower gained more formal recognition within Freemasonry after World War II, particularly in 1947 when the Grand Lodge of the Sun was re-established in Bayreuth, Germany. At the time, a Forget-Me-Not pin was adopted as a commemorative symbol to honor those Masons who had persevered through the Nazi era (Callaway, n.d.). The pin became a symbol of remembrance for the Freemasons who had suffered or died under Nazi persecution and for those who had continued the work of the fraternity in secret.
In 1948, the newly formed U nited Grand Lodges of Germany formally adopted the Forget-Me-Not as an official symbol, recognizing the resilience of the Masons during the darkest period of modern German history (Roberts, n.d.). This post-war adoption of the flower helped solidify its place in Masonic tradition, even though its actual use during the Nazi period remains more symbolic than documented.
Persecution of Freemasons During the Holocaust
While the extent of Masonic persecution is sometimes overshadowed by the horrors of the Holocaust, Freemasons were undoubtedly targeted. The Nazis included Freemasons in their broader persecution of groups they saw as subversive to Aryan purity and Nazi ideology. Many Masons were arrested and sent to concentration camps, though the exact number is difficult to determine. In concentration camps, Masons were often identified by a red triangle, the same symbol used to mark political prisoners (USHMM, n.d.).
The claim that Adolf Eichmann personally oversaw the persecution of Freemasons, including confiscating lodge records and ordering executions, as suggested in some retellings, remains unsubstantiated by primary sources. Eichmann is primarily known for his central role in orchestrating the "Final Solution"—the mass deportation and extermination of Jews—rather than for specific actions against Freemasonry (Yad Vashem, n.d.).
Freemasonry’s Post-War Revival
Despite the efforts of the Nazi regime to eradicate Freemasonry, the organization endured. The end of World War II saw the re-establishment of many Masonic lodges throughout Europe, including Germany. Like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, Freemasonry in post-war Germany became a symbol of resilience and moral perseverance in the face of totalitarianism. The Forget-Me-Not flower, while perhaps more a symbol of remembrance than a tool of wartime secrecy, continues to remind Freemasons of the values of brotherhood, freedom, and courage (Roberts, n.d.).
Conclusion
The blue Forget-Me-Not flower is now an enduring symbol of Freemasonry's perseverance during the Nazi era, though the specifics of its wartime use remain elusive. The historical facts surrounding Freemasonry in Nazi Germany point to a period of intense persecution, with Freemasons among those who suffered under the regime’s oppressive policies. Yet, Freemasonry's survival and rebirth after the war serve as a testament to the durability of its principles, including its dedication to liberty, learning, and fraternity. As such, the Forget-Me-Not stands as a reminder of the strength of these ideals, even in the face of tyranny.
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References
Bessel, P. M. (2005). *Freemasonry and the Holocaust*. Freemasons for Dummies. Retrieved from https://www.freemasonsfordummies.com/holocaust
Callaway, W. M. (n.d.). Forget-Me-Not: A Masonic symbol in Germany. *California Freemason*, 168-169.
Roberts, A. (n.d.). Explanation of the Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-Me-Not.
****** States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). *Freemasonry under the Nazi regime*. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/freemasonry-under-the-nazi-regime
Yad Vashem. (n.d.). *Adolf Eichmann: A key figure in the final solution*. Retrieved from https://www.yadvashem.org
