Who Are Shriners and What is the Shrine?

Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international fraternity of approximately 525,000 members who belong to Shrine Temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. Founded in New York City in 1872, the organization is composed solely of Master Masons.

The Shrine is best-known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called "the heart and soul of the Shrine."

Why Do Shriners Wear A Fez?

The red fez with a black tassel, the Shrine's most distinctive symbol, has been handed down through the ages. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured - the holy city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shrine's Arabic (Near East) theme, around which the color and pageantry of the Shrine was developed.

What are Shrine Hospitals and How Did They Come into Being?

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 19 orthopedic hospitals and three burns institutes, maintained and operated by the Shrine, where children under the age of 18 receive the highest quality medical care absolutely free of charge. Shriners Hospitals are located throughout North America, with 20 hospitals in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada.

The Shrine supported various charities almost from its inception. In 1920, however, the organization voted to adopt its own official philanthropy, dedicated to providing free orthopedic medical care to children in need. The first Shriners Hospital for Children was built in Shreveport, La., in 1922. The Shrine's philanthropy eventually expanded to 22 "Centers of Excellence," including its three Shriners Burns Institutes. There is never a charge to the patient, parent or any third party for any service or medical treatment received at the hospitals, and no state, local or federal funding of any kind is sought or accepted by Shriners Hospitals.

What Is The Relationship Between The Shrine And Shriners Hospitals?

In a unique interdependent relationship, the Shrine and Shriners Hospitals are separate but inseparable. The Shrine of North America supports Shriners Hospitals in many ways.

Every patient at Shriners Hospitals is sponsored by a Shriner, who acts as a liaison between the family and the hospital. Shrine Centers often help arrange, promote or pay for transportation for children and parents to the hospitals. Thousands of Shriners spend many hours of their own time driving families to the hospitals and entertaining the patients. In addition, the Shrine helps support the hospitals financially. Each Shriner pays an annual hospital assessment, and Shrine Centers hold many fundraisers which benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The fraternity and the philanthropy, however, are legally and financially separate. The fraternity is incorporated in the state of Iowa, and the philanthropy is incorporated in the state of Colorado. The funds of the two entities are kept entirely separate and are audited by independent auditors on an annual basis.

In addition, Shrine Temples, or chapters,  are incorporated as chapters of the fraternity and are audited individually.

Where Did The Shrine's Near-Eastern Theme Come From?

The Shrine is as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. It was tied to an Arabic theme by its founders, Billy Florence, an actor, and William Fleming, a physician. Both men wanted to create a fraternity where Mason's, men of like beliefs, could have fun. Fleming and Florence realized the fledgling fraternity needed a colorful, exciting backdrop. It is believed that Florence conceived the Shrine's Near Eastern setting while on tour in Europe.

As the legend goes, Florence attended a party in Marseilles, France, hosted by an Arabian diplomat. At the end of the party, the guests became members of a secret society. Florence realized this might be the ideal vehicle for the new fraternity, and he made copious notes and drawings of the ceremony.

When Florence returned to the States, Fleming agreed, and together they created elaborate rituals, designed the emblem and costumes, and formulated the salutation.

Though the Shrine is not itself a secret society, it still retains much of the mysticism and secrecy of its origins. Its ceremonies of invitation have been open many times to and the general public.