Masonic Hoodwink - Ritual

Masonic hoodwink

It is spring-loaded and can be raised or flipped upward toward the forehead by grasping either of the 2 decorative, cone-shaped metal pieces located on either side of the eyes.

One has to question the seriousness and kinds of levels that some Freemasons get up to and practice whilst down ye-olde-lodge - as it could perhaps be misconstrued as bordering on the line of fetishism!

The reason why the word “Hoodwink” has been associated with Freemasonry and in a derogatory way - such as to deceive, trick, dupe, outwit, fool, delude, cheat, take in, bluff, hoax, mislead, misguide, lead on, defraud, double-cross and swindle; is because many members of the fraternity have been caught red handed carrying out some of those types of aforementioned definitions. However, the brothers will argue this is a misconception and that while Freemasonry has many secrets, the term "hoodwink" is not one of them. They say the word is often misconstrued by non-Freemasons as having negative overtones due to the more modern-day definitions mentioned above and rather than its actual meaning which is to ‘cover the eyes.’ Though we are aware of that as that’s when you can deceive someone!

In their ritual process the Masonic hoodwink is a symbolic and visual method of covering the eyes which is used in the initiation of the candidate into acquiring new knowledge, hence the term, "from darkness to light".

The below image is of a man in a Masonic hoodwink which dates from the early 1800's to the early 1900s and were sold by DeMoulin, a Masonic lodge supplies manufacturer, as well as other purveyors of lodge supplies.

Though it’s not actually Freemasonry that is the originator of the hoodwink as religious rites and initiations of civilizations and tribes dating back centuries before the believed or known origins of Freemasonry - used blindfolds to represent going from darkness (ignorance) to light (knowledge).

Hood: The word, “hood,” in old German and Anglo Saxon refers to a head covering, as in a hat, or helmet. And hat’s can be found in all lodges. A hood might also be of cloth. To "hood" is to cover. Hooded garments have been worn throughout history including today’s “hoodies.”

Wink: The word, “wink,” in old German and Anglo Saxon refers to a closing of the eyes. The word, “wince,” , is similarly derived from the word "wink". The word "wink" pertains to the eye.
Therefore, a hood (to cover) wink (eyes) was a head covering designed to cover the eyes.

hoodwink open

Back/Interior: The interior, which fits against the face, is made of velvet (original colour, unknown), as are the insides of each round eye piece. A leather strap fits around the back of the head.

"A symbol of the secrecy, silence, and darkness in which the mysteries of our art should be preserved from the unhallowed gaze of the profane. It has been supposed to have a symbolic reference to the passage in Saint John's Gospel (I, 5), "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." But it is more certain that there is in the hoodwink a representation of the mystical darkness which always preceded the rites of the ancient initiations." Albert Mackey. Source: Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1929, Volume 1, Page 464

hoodwink inside

The antique Masonic hoodwink, above, would most likely be found in a Masonic museum or owned by a collector of Masonic memorabilia. Like other fraternities, such as college fraternities, most Masonic lodges, today, simply use modern-day blindfolds.

Size: 8-1/2 inches long, 3 inches wide and 2 inches in depth.

Front: The front of this hoodwink is made of metal, painted black. The nose covering is made of fabric which has been hand-stitched into place.

Eye "wink": The round metal circles which cover each eye are welded to a cross-piece rod with cones on each end. This entire unit is of one-piece construction.

http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/masonic-hoodwink.html ;

Yet this Hoodwink Ritual - is just one of many the "elites" can be seen partaking in and as shown in the video below