Ancient Order of Foresters jewel

The ethos of the Ancient Order of Foresters was expressed by reference to a mythological brotherhood of woodsmen and was reinforced by wearing ceremonial dress and carrying symbolic artefacts. The beehive was used as a symbol of fraternity by the Order: the community of bees in the hive represented the community or members of a Foresters Court. The Order established many separate 'Courts', in many towns and villages; there was a Court in most of East Lothian's towns and larger villages. As a 'Friendly Society', members' contributions provided benefits and pensions before the establishment of the welfare state.