r/CemeteryPorn • u/Prior_Peach1946 • 1d ago

Curious

Post image

Hey yall! I went to Austin last weekend and we stopped at a few small old cemeteries randomly on the way. What is this symbol at the top does anyone know? The stone is very pretty and looks clean while So many in this cemetery were smooth and unreadable.

181 Upvotes

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166

u/the_cadaver_synod 1d ago edited 1d ago

I believe she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, traditionally the women’s version of the Freemasons. They allow men to join now.

Edit—apparently they have always allowed men.

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u/Prior_Peach1946 1d ago

Thank you! Thats so cool!

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u/MeridianHilltop 1d ago

Anyone got tea on these women? I’m inspired to join an order

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u/PhutuqKusi 1d ago

Here's the website for the General Grand Chapter, which provides general information. I recommend googling "Eastern Star Grand Chapter" and include the name of your state to find a chapter close to you.

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u/MeridianHilltop 1d ago

Thank you. I googled Eastern Star + mason before I asked and got the official information. I was mostly teasing about the “tea” - unofficial, possibly seedy, trivia about the group. The symbol on the gravestone is visually intriguing.

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u/Beastxtreets 17h ago

I've looked into joining before because it sounds so cool and I'd like to be a member but on the page I saw you have to be sponsored by a Brother and a Sister and idk anyone who is part of the group. Or you have to have family who were masons.

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u/ThatBaseball7433 10h ago

The way this works if you don’t know anyone is you can get to know them by going to their open events and they’ll sponsor you.

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u/Beastxtreets 8h ago

Very cool, I never thought about that tbh. Thank you for the info!

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u/Over-Spare8319 14h ago

If you’re truly interested in joining, just reach out to your local chapter. Your state Grand Chapter should have a listing of local chapters on their website. You should be able to email them. Let them know your interest and they’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. If you’re a good fit for the chapter they’ll figure out a way to make it happen.

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u/Over-Spare8319 14h ago

Each of the symbols has a specific lesson and meaning. All are based on Biblical heroines.

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u/cryptoengineer 11h ago

r/easternstar, though its low volume.

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u/firestarter1877 1d ago

Cadaver is correct. Order of the eastern star

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u/LightsNoir 1d ago

Cadaver is correct. It's a corpse.

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u/Over-Spare8319 1d ago

Order of the Eastern Star. I’m a Mason and OES member. Traditionally, it was an order reserved for Master Masons, their wives, widows, mothers, and sisters. Some jurisdictions have now changed this rule and allow others to join as well.

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u/Carcosa504 1d ago

What a fascinating time period to live through. She really saw some shit

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u/mtbgravelgirl 21h ago

Fun fact. George Washington laid the chief cornerstone of the capitol using a Masonic ceremonial trowel.

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u/masturkiller 12h ago

Order of the Eastern Star logo

The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, and adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873. The order is based on some teachings from the Bible and is open to people of all religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in 18 countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter.

Members of the Order of the Eastern Star are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women used to need to have specific relationships with Masons; however, this was changed at General Grand Chapter in 2024. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a Master Mason. The Order now allows other relatives as well as allowing Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls and Members of the Organization of Triangles (NY only) to become members when of age.

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u/Prior_Peach1946 1h ago

Thank you so much!!

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u/StoriesandStones 14h ago

My grandma was an OES Worthy Matron, whatever that entails. She had a lot of friends and they’d play cards and drink wine and do brunch lol. That’s how I saw it as a kid. Like a society ladies club.

She’d take me to some events and “old” ladies would coo over how big I’d gotten and how pretty I was while I hid behind my grandma and was generally my anti-social self.

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u/Over-Spare8319 10h ago

Worthy Matron is the chief elected officer of a local chapter. After serving a year in office they earn the title of Past Matron. It’s comparable to being the president in other organizations.

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u/Lg8191 15h ago

I’m a free mason. She was an Eastern star.

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u/Lg8191 15h ago

I’m a former free mason. She was an Eastern Star. The two are connected.

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u/Superb_Day_5767 1d ago

A luciferian cult that pretends it’s a fraternity

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u/mtbgravelgirl 21h ago

That's based on Christian beliefs.