Which guides the Order of the Eastern Star's ritual and symbolism?

• A. The Great Lights (Bible, Square, and Compasses) and associated ritual texts
• B. The Sacred Scrolls and Tablets
• C. The Three Pillars of the Temple
• D. The Great Lights in Masonry

Answer: (C)

The ritual and symbolism of the Order of the Eastern Star are built around the Three Pillars of the Temple. These pillars symbolize the core virtues that support the work and allegories of the order—often described as Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty—providing the moral framework for the rites, emblems, and stories the members explore in ceremony. This framework ties the ritual to the temple imagery and guides how the chapters present lessons and character roles during the work. The other options come from different traditions: the Great Lights, such as the Bible, Square, and Compasses, belong to Masonry itself and set its rituals, while Sacred Scrolls and Tablets or the Great Lights in Masonry don’t serve as the guiding framework for the OES.