About Us
A fraternal organization associated with the Freemasons and the Shriners, the Royal Order of Jesters is made up of 24,000 Shrine leaders. Initiation, which is by invitation and unanimous ballot, is extended only to members in good standing with the Shriners. The group abides by the illustrative motto “Mirth is King,” striving to bring pleasure and lightheartedness into a world that often seems full of tragedy and sorrow. Members believe that carrying forth a cheerful, positive attitude can go a long way in accomplishing social good. To that end, the Royal Order of Jesters participates in social activities that promote cheer, happiness, and good mental health.
The group originated on February 20, 1911, when several Shriners met in the Captain’s office of the S.S. Wilhelmina en route to Aloha Temple, Hawaii. Historian A.M. Allison of San Francisco, California, was largely responsible for the Book of the Play, the group’s guiding principles; the original group included a Director and thirteen members. This offhand ceremony grew into a ritual, and an informal meeting on June 25, 1917 marked the group’s official formation. Today, the Royal Order of Jesters consists of a National Body and various local courts.
The Royal Order of Jesters finds its icon in the Billiken, a charm doll regarded as a good-luck figure. Designed by American art teacher and illustrator Florence Pretz, the elf-like figure boasts a mischievous smile and is thought to characterize the worry-free ideals of the Order.
In addition to various social endeavors, the Royal Order of Jesters owns a museum in Indiana where visitors can observe items related to the Order in addition to artifacts from other historical humorists.
