Composed of specific clothing and insignia, regalia is a legitimate traditional practice that is a manifestation of chivalric organizations during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Today, numerous self-styled organizations use specific regalia to provide a more orthodox feel and setting for their members. The prominent ceremonial regalia traditionally used by resurgent groups, commonly associated with the Knights Templar Regalia, is authentic to Freemasonry. Below are basic facts about the Knights Templar Regalia.
· The standard “white” robes with big red crosses were designed in the 15th-century by the Freemasons and were meant only for ceremonial use. The robes were never designed to entice a member's sense of entitlement or ego, but were always meant to be strictly practical, while being suitable for formal gatherings and functions.
· The Templar Regalia, which includes a tunic and cloak, bears the unique cross-pate. The robe was designed to be an operational outer layer of contemporary uniforms of the Freemasons. In the middle Ages, this was influenced by a simple necessity. The chainmail shield can burn the skin under the unforgiving temperature in the Middle East dessert unless a protective cloth covered the body from direct sunlight.
· Regardless of several books detailing the traditional Templar robes as white in colour, and despite several organizations hoping for association with the Templar by donning white robes, it is a historical fact that the original robes were not white. In actuality, they were similar to the colour of the dessert sand. The light beige shade was a considered as a camouflage and functional enough to hide occasional smudges of dirt during an active field work.
· History has proven that the concept of white robes was particularly reprehended by the early Knights Templar, specifically because they appealed to the vanity of the unworthy looking for grandeur. This confirms that white robes were opposite to the true core values and beliefs of the original Templar Order. Thus, real Knights wore light tan uniforms.
Knights Templar supplies, such as caps, aprons, and swords, are available for purchase online.