Masonic Hat 2

 I now have 2 masonic hats, this one is superior in quality to the previous one

This was a gift from someone who was part of the Freemasons or just Masons

The red one previously posted about sported a Knights Templar cross, but this new one has a Maltese cross so could be for a different order.

Masonic hats when you search online seem to come in many different shapes although like this one they are predominantly pillbox shaped hats.

It's the badge rather than the hat that matters since that is an item that ties it to the lodge and his rank. 

I say his since in my 30 seconds of research I don't believe they allow women to join, although it does say there are 2 females only lodges in the UK.

Steampunk freemason

Academics Hat

The Mortaboard, Square Cap, Corner Cap, Oxford Cap

The Mortarboard cap named after bricklayers tool for holding mortar or perhaps it was the other way round not sure.

This style of cap dates back at least as far 16th Century where it was used in the uniform of those attending universities in Europe, forms of this hat go back even further were its seen in Italian paintings of 15th Century. 

In the past, this form of hats was the default hat for the teaching profession and mandatory uniform at Oxford University. Now the mortarboard is seen across the worlds colleges and university, mostly in graduation ceremonies, were once the ceremony is over its thrown into the air.

Time for a Pow Wow

A pow wow or powwow is a gathering of  Native Americans were they dance, sing, socialize, basically a party. in most western films they are also often portrayed as a political meeting between warring tribes or cowboys.

Headdress or war bonnets like this would be essential at any powwow as you need to look your best.

The Warbonnet is the chosen ceremonial headgear of the Plains Indian of North America, they were also worn into battle.

They are quite light and comfortable to wear they serve no practical purpose at all other than to announce your presence, which they do very well.

War bonnets are made around a buckskin skull cap and designed so the feather flare out around the head. 

The skull cap can also be decorated with beads.

Dyed horse hair mostly holds it all together and creatively provides additional decoration

Some war bonnets also included horns from buffalo.

Carrot Top

This carrot topped headwear was picked up from Chows Emporium around 8 years ago

It was from an opera called "Sir John in Love" labelled actor final scene and now used for tribal shaman in LRP

The wicker frame is tied together with sackcloth/hessian, fitted over a padded skull cap and then topped with an artificial carrot.

Watch for low branches and don't even attempt doorways wearing this hat

Seen above with a carrot-nosed facemask and below with an onion covered shawl also from Chows

Crown

The crown a headress worn by a monarch or emperor to show thier power, wealth and also used in a coranation to endorse thier position.

Crowns come in many shape a date back to time of pharoes, the one shown here is shaped like a traditional european crown.

Often made of gold or other precious metaerial, covered in jewels and lined with some expensive animal skin, this headgear is not practical or confortable, its nothing but a symbol of the wearers rank. 

This is a cheap fancy dress plastic crown which I have repainted and distressed, lined with felt all to give a bit life and make it less plasticky.

One up from the cracker crown shown in my previous post.

Masonic Hat

This red hat is a hat worn by members of the modern Freemasons

It was given as a gift by a friend who is a member, I have no idea what rank or role the hat is for, if indeed you need a rank to wear it.

The hat is basically a felt covered stiffened ring of card or thin plastic with felt stretch over the crown, it's very lightweight but well made and still feels sturdy. 

Freemasons are an organization that originated in medieval times, as a body that controlled and looked after local stonemason and represented them with the local bureaucracy. Nowadays they are a ritualised group that helps businessmen network and do charity work. 

They are often associated with a degree of conspiracy due to there requirement that each rank keeps the knowledge of what they learn as they progress secret from the ranks below.

Buddhist Ceremonial Hat

This is a Buddhist Lama Monk Ceremonial Hat which is worn by Lama or Monks during Buddhist ceremonies or other ritual celebration.

 It is made from brocade material over board. Its inner surface has got cotton lining.

You can see images of Dalai Lama wearing a very similar hat.

In this image the top is pointing forward but works equally well pointing backwards

War Bonnet

Indian (Native American) Headdress or War Bonnet bought off ebay

A ceremonial headdress to show you are one of the top bananas in your tribe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_bonnet