| The Fez |
The Fez is consider by many as the head dress of the Ancient Ones. The Ancient Egyptians, the Pharoahs *if one pays close attention to the hieroglyphics on many temple walls* are shown with head coverings that appear to be Fez like head dress. Actually, the form and shape of the Fez has not changed much from the ancient times. The *limited* information we have on the Fez is that it was named after the city of Fez, founded in 789 in Morocco. Morocco is a place in North West Africa and home of the Ancient Moors who are now considered the Arabians. In Ivan Van Sertimas's book "The Golden Age of the Moors" it explains that these people or nomads that dwelt in the deserts of Arabia, were the same peole whose ancestors had in earlier times roamed the deserts of East Africa. These people were considered Moors from the Greek "Maures", or the Romans "Maurus" which means dark. The Moors were distinguised by the head wear they wore. The Fez is more than what people think though, it is not just a hat that we wear in the OES, or just head wear of the ancients, OR even just headware of the Moors, they also wore turbans *smile* Thank God we don't have to wear turbans, although it might be an improvement on a bad hair day LOL!!! anyway...I regress.... The Ancient Moors were dealing with high levels of science and practiced many arts of their mystery schools. *getting a hint now?* One of the sciences they practiced was Astrology or what we call today the Zodiac. Lets look at the shape of the Fez we see today, also called a Tarboosh. The Fez is said to have a *geometrical* form to represent the eternal Zodiac. The Body of the Fez symbolizes the Womb of the Cosmos or the Womb of the Woman=MOTHER. The 1" tassle *FINIAL* that extends out the center of the Fez represents the number ONE, and the ninth letter of the Phonetic Moorish Alphabet l. This also symboized the NAVEL *EYE*. The cord extending from the *eye* symbolizes the Universal Umbilical cord of the Universal Life and represents the oneness of all life. It is said that it ties to the source of Humanity -ZUDIACUS- the FIRST WOMAN. The Circular *round* part of the tassel represents the Mundane circle or EARTH. The cord wrapped around the tassel strands, hold the form of the circle and represents the Unity of Life through the Zodiac Constitution of Humanity. It also represent the Cyclical and reciprocal nature of Life. The Strands of the Tassel represent the 360 Degrees of the Zodiac. The Fez in total symbolizes the Eternal Zodiac. It is also known as a *Tiara* and *Corona Sol*. None but those of Royal Status can wear a Fez. That may have been the reason it was chosen as a mode of dress for the OES. Not all members of the OES wear the Fez. I have talked with several of the *mainstream* OES Sisters in America and some in other Countries and none of them wear a Fez at all. So it appears to be a tradition steeped in our own African *American* culture. This gives me a measure of understanding in how our African American culture has adopted the use of the fez in OES but not in other cultures. This seems to me to be at least a clue to how this tradition began for us. Although not all OES PHA jursidictions wear the fez, It would be quite interesting to find out when the decision was made to institute the wearing of the Fez in OES. What was the first Chapter or Grand Chapter to begin this tradition? I have been told that members have seen pictures of our Sisters wearing the fez as far back as the 1920's. VERY INTERESTING!! Inquiring minds wanna know *smile* I will continue to dig, research and *report*. Remaining Prayerful, Sis. Joyce |
|
 |
| headdress, head covering or decoration, protective or ceremonial, which has been an important part of costume since ancient times. Its style is governed in general by climate, available materials, religion or superstition, and the dictates of fashion. The most primitive form consisted of varied styles of hairdressing. Protective head coverings include the hat, cap, hood, helmet, wig, and veil. Ceremonial headdress, which is often highly symbolic and steeped in tradition, includes all head coverings and headdressings that indicate rank, profession, or religion, as well as those worn in ritualistic ceremonies, games, and contests. Examples are the feathered war bonnet of the Native American, the peacock feathers of the Manchu, the Eastern turban, the Turkish fez, the cardinal's hat, the nun's coif and veil, the marriage crowns, the judge's wig, the academic cap (mortarboard), and many others. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press. |
| Thanks to Bro. Ezekiel Bey and Bro. Rashied for much enlightenment!! |
| In Istanbul the checheya was called 'fez' or 'phecy' while the modern Egyptian version was called 'tarboosh' (pronounced tar-boosh) a derivative from the Persian words 'sar' meaning head and 'poosh' meaning cover. It was basically a brimless, cone-shaped, flat-topped hat made of felt. Originating in Fez, Morocco, later it was adopted in Istanbul where the color of the fez stuck to red. |
 |
