Because Grange founder Oliver Hudson Kelly was a Mason, the symbolism of the Grange is often mistaken that of Masonry. Though the fraternal organization was a starting point, the Grange has its own traditions steeped in its agricultural roots.
The term "Grange" is believed to date back to Medieval England, when large farms were called granges, after the French word for barn.
Many of the officer titles were taken from this tradition: the master was the owner of the English grange; the overseer was the person in charge of the workers; the steward oversaw the estate; and the gatekeeper was the security guard.
In the English tradition, granges were so large, they would often even include their own church and school house, hence the chaplain and lecturer in the Grange hall.
Three "court ladies" or "graces" are largely ceremonial officers seated at the head of the Grange hall during meetings. Their names — Pomona, Ceres and Flora — were taken from Greek mythology, and represent fruit, grain and flowers, respectively. These are tied to the agricultural roots of the Grange.
Common to all Grange Halls is a ceremonial rug bearing the image of a sheath of wheat and the letters "P" and "H," standing for the Patrons of Husbandry.
Other symbols in the Grange hall, and in Grange ritual, include:
Ax — a symbol of perseverance. As an ax can chop through the hardest wood with repeated blows, so should can even repeated trials be surmounted.
Plow — teaches to drive the plowshare of thought diligently through the heavy soil of ignorance and prepare the mind for the growth of knowledge.
Harrow — used to pulverize the soil and cover the seed; emblematic of the course of study and observation needed to fully understand.
Spade — used to dig deeper than the plow, symbolizes thoroughness.
Hoe — symbolic of the cultivation of the mind that destroys errors, and keeps the mind ready to receive and apply new facts.
Pruning knife — reminds Grangers to prune idle thoughts and sinful suggestions, and keep passions within due bounds.
Sickle — symbolizes peace, prosperity, joy and reaping rewards.
Agate — an emblem of fidelity.
Cornucopia — teaches sharing abundant gifts and blessings.
Sources: "Washington Grangers Celebrate a Century" by Gus Norwood of the Washington Grange Historical Committee, www.nationalGrange.org and www.wa-Grange.org.
