Order of Royal Purple

{{Short description|Canadian women's fraternal group (1914–2014)}} {{Infobox fraternity | name = Order of Royal Purple | letters = OORP | crest = Order of Royal Purple badge.png | image_size = 170px | caption = Order of Royal Purple badge | founded = {{start date and age|1914|09}} | birthplace = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | affiliation = Elks of Canada | type = Fraternal order auxiliary | scope = National | motto = "Life sweeter, women better, and the world happier" | pillars = Justice, Charity, Sisterly Love, and Fidelity | colors = {{color box|#7851A9}} Purple, {{color box|#FFFFFF}} White and {{color box|#FFD700}} Gold | flower = Pansy | publication = ''Pansy Express'' | status = Defunct | defunct_date = 2014 | philanthropy = Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children | chapters = 376+ | lifetime = 5,000 | city = Regina, Saskatchewan | country = Canada }} The '''Supreme Executive Order of Royal Purple''' ('''OORP''') was a Canadian fraternal and charitable organization for women. It was the official female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada. It was also called the '''Royal Purple of Canada''' and the '''Order of Royal Purple'''. The order ended its affiliation with the Elks in 2014 and became a new organization, the Canadian Royal Purple Society.

== History == In 1913, some women whose husbands were members of the Elks of Canada formed an informal group to help the men with charity work.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Order of the Royal Purple and Elks Flag raising |url=https://collections.galtmuseum.com/link/descriptions92471 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Galt Museum & Archives}}</ref> It was an officially recognized female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada in 1914 as the Order of Royal Purple.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date= |title=About the Royal Purple |url=http://elksroyalpurple.sundre.com/about_purple |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928104414/http://elksroyalpurple.sundre.com/about_purple |archive-date=2008-09-28 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Elks & Royal Purple (Sundre & Area Chapter) |via=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> The Order of Royal Purple was a fraternal and charitable organization for women founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in September 1914.<ref>Schmidt, Alvin J. ''Fraternal Organizations'' Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.297</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date= |title=2005-2006 Lodge Officers |url=http://community.svcn.mb.ca/royalpurple/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135919/http://community.svcn.mb.ca/royalpurple/index.html |archive-date=2011-05-11 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Swan River Royal Purple Lodge #185 |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> In 2013, the order had 190 active lodges with 5,000 members.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= |title=About Us |url=http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/about-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017180940/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/about-us.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Royal Purple of Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> Its national charity was the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" />

In 2014, the Supreme Executive of the Order of Royal Purple decided to secede from the Elks and start a new organization, the Canadian Royal Purple Society.<ref name=":10" />'''<ref name=":12" />''' The new group was incorporated on May 25, 2014 and is open to men and women.<ref name=":10" /> Approximately 75 of Canadian Royal Purple lodges were formed between August 2014 and February 2015.<ref>''Canadian Elk'' Feb. 2015 Vol. 64 #2 pp.4-5, 47</ref>

Some local lodges did not withdraw and were integrated into the Elks of Canada as Royal Purple Elks Lodges.

== Symbols and rituals == The Order of Royal Purple's motto was "Life sweeter, women better, and the world happier".<ref name=":12" /> Its principles or pillars were Justice, Charity, Sisterly Love and Fidelity.<ref name=":12" /> Its crest was, a diamond that had an elk's head in the center; below the elk was a clock face pointing to 11 o'clock, a pansy, and a banner with the word "Canada".<ref name=":12" />

The Order of Royal Purple's badge featured its crest in purple enamel, surrounded by a gold frame and topped with gold leaves.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Order of Royal Purple The Pas Lodge Pin |url=https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/community-builders_batisseurs-communautaires/gallery/ph2014-6-6-the-order-of-royal-purple-the-pas-lodge-pin/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Community Builders {{!}} Digital Museums Canada |publisher=Canadian Museum of History |language=en-US}}</ref> It could be worn alone or attached to hang from a lodge pin.<ref name=":0" /> The lodge pin was rectangular and was inscribed with "Lodge No xx", with a maple leaf on either side.<ref name=":0" />

The order's flower was the pansy.<ref name=":2">Schmidt p.298</ref><ref name=":12" /> The pansy was selected because it was found throughout Canada and symbolizes "pleasant thoughts".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date= |title=Royal Purple of Canada |url=http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017120235/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/index.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Royal Purple of Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> The order's publication was ''Pansy Express''.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Pansy Express |url=http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/pansy-express.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017153238/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/pansy-express.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Royal Purple of Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> Following the Elks of Canada, its colors were purple, white, and gold.'''<ref name=":12" />'''

Members wore pillbox hats with tassels in various colors depending on status.'''<ref name=":12" />''' A white tassel indicated a lodge member. White and purple mixed was worn by a local president, called an honored royal lady. District deputies wore gold tassels. The national leader, called the Supreme Honored Royal Lady, wore a purple tassel.

The order's fraternal signs were not allowed in a lodge until the Bible was open or after it was closed. The order had passwords and formal dress regalia.'''<ref name=":12" />'''<ref name=":2" /> During the initiation rite, the candidate was asked to promise "never to divulge any of the secrets of the order to anyone."<ref name=":2" /> The candidate also had to promise "to defend every worthy member's reputation, never to wrong a member and always help a member in need".<ref name=":2" /> This obligation followed a prayer by the lodge chaplain and the singing of "In Charity's Sweet Name".<ref name=":2" />

== Organization == Local units of the order were called lodges and the national structure was called the Supreme Lodge. In 1979, their national office was located in Brandon, Manitoba.<ref name=":9">Schmidt, Alvin J. ''Fraternal Organizations.'' Westport, CT: Greenwood Press p. 298.</ref> Its last national office was located at #200 - 2629 - 29th Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Contact the Royal Purple of Canada |url=http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/contact-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017131616/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/contact-us.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Royal Purple of Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref>

== Membership == In 1979, membership was open to women who believed in a Supreme Being, were 18 years or older, and a male relative in the Elks of Canada. Women who did not have a male relative who was an Elk could also be admitted, but could not make up more than 25% of a lodge. Members were accepted or rejected by a black cube system, with three black cubes being sufficient to reject a candidate for membership.<ref name=":9" />

However, membership requirements at the time of the dissolution of the organization were: fourteen years of age, a resident of Canada, supporting democratic and lawful government, and the purpose and objectives of the Order.<ref name=":1" /> The order also awarded honorary membership to non-members who made contributions to the lodge.<ref name=":12" />

== Chapters == Following is an incomplete list of chapters or lodges of the Order of Royal Purple. {| class="wikitable sortable" !Number !Charter date !Lodge !Location !Status !{{Refh}} |- |14 | |Thunder Bay Royal Purple Lodge No. 14 |Thunder Bay, Ontario |Inactive |<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date= |title=Royal Purple Lodges |url=http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/lodges-across-canada.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017182018/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/lodges-across-canada.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Royal Purple of Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |21 | |Red Deer Royal Purple Lodge No. 21 |Red Deer, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date= |title=Provincial President Page |url=http://abroyalpurpleassn.com/id5.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818043520/http://abroyalpurpleassn.com/id5.html |archive-date=2013-08-18 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Alberta Royal Purple Lodges Association |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |22 | |Edmonton Royal Purple Lodge No. 22 |Edmonton, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Home |url=http://www.edmontonroyalpurple.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016004359/http://www.edmontonroyalpurple.com/ |archive-date=2013-10-16 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Edmonton Royal Purple |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |27 | |Ponoka Royal Purple Lodge No. 27 |Ponoka, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date= |title=Our Executive |url=http://abroyalpurpleassn.com/id16.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818035742/http://abroyalpurpleassn.com/id16.html |archive-date=2013-08-18 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Alberta Royal Purple Lodges Association |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |32 |{{dts|April 27, 1928}} – 2017 |Lethbridge Royal Purple Lodge No. 32 |Lethbridge, Alberta |Withdrew |<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Sports |url=http://www.abroyalpurpleassn.org/News.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031225220913/http://www.abroyalpurpleassn.org/News.html |archive-date=2003-12-25 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Alberta Royal Purple |via=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref name=":12" />{{Efn|Became the Lethbridge Royal Purple Elk Lodge No. 32.}} |- |50 | |Prince Albert Royal Purple Lodge No. 50 |Prince Albert, Saskatchewan |Withdrew |<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Lodge Directory |url=https://elks-sask.org/Lodges.php |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Saskatchewan Elks Association, Foundation, and Seniors Homes}}</ref>{{Efn|Became the Prince Albert Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 50.}} |- |57 | |Hodgeville Royal Purple Lodge No. 57 |Hodgeville, Saskatchewan |Withdrew |<ref name=":11" />{{Efn|Became the Hodgeville Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 57.}} |- |67 | |Nipawin Royal Purple Lodge No. 67 |Nipawin, Saskatchewan |Withdrew |<ref name=":11" />{{Efn|Became the Nipawin Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 67.}} |- |71 | |Trochu Royal Purple Lodge No. 71 |Trochu, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":7" /> |- |74 |{{dts|December 13, 1941}} |Estevan Royal Purple Lodge No. 74 |Estevan, Saskatchewan |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hitchcock |first=Olive |last2=Nicholson |first2=Rose |date= |title=Estevan Royal Purple Lodge #74 |url=http://cap.estevan.sk.ca/community/ATaleThatIsTold/chapt10/RoyalPurple.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210061259/http://cap.estevan.sk.ca/community/ATaleThatIsTold/chapt10/RoyalPurple.html |archive-date=2008-12-10 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=A Tale That is Told: Estevan 1890 - 1980 |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |77 | |Big Valley Royal Purple Lodge No. 77 |Big Valley, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |80 | |Grimshaw Royal Purple Lodge No. 80 |Grimshaw, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":7" /> |- |88 |{{dts|June 7, 1945}} – mid 2000s |Pas Royal Purple Lodge No 88 |The Pas''',''' Manitoba |Inactive |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Order of Royal Purple The Pas Lodge Pin |url=https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/community-builders_batisseurs-communautaires/gallery/ph2014-6-6-the-order-of-royal-purple-the-pas-lodge-pin/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Community Stories |publisher=Digital Museums Canada |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Order of the Royal Purple |url=https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/community-builders_batisseurs-communautaires/story/royal-purple-local-history/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Community Builders |language=en-US |via=Digital Museums Canada}}</ref> |- |99 | |Stavely Royal Purple Lodge No. 99 |Stavely, Alberta |Withdrew |<ref name=":11" />{{Efn|Became the Stavely Royal Purple Elks Lodge #99.}} |- |103 | |Acme Royal Purple Lodge No.103 |Acme, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |114 | |Canwood Royal Purple Lodge No.114 |Canwood, Saskatchewan |Withdrew |{{Efn|Became the Canwood Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 114.}} |- |156 | |Hardisty Royal Purple No. 156 |Hardisty, Alberta |Withdrew |<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Hardisty Royal Purple #156 |url=http://hardisty.ca/residents/service_clubs_royal_purple.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916172401/http://hardisty.ca/residents/service_clubs_royal_purple.htm |archive-date=2013-09-16 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=The Town of Hardisty - Alberta - Canada |via=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref name=":4" />{{Efn|Became the Acme Royal Purple Elks Lodge #103}} |- |159 | |Crowsnest Pass Royal Purple Lodge No. 159 |Crownsnest, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |185 |{{dts|September 10, 1954}} |Swan River Royal Purple Lodge No. 185 |Swan River, Manitoba |Inactive |<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |186 | |Indian Head Royal Purple Lodge No. 186 |Indian Head, Saskatchewan |Withdrew |<ref name=":11" />{{Efn|Became the Indian Head Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 186.}} |- |191 | |Sundre Royal Purple Lodge No. 191 |Sundre, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Home |url=http://elksroyalpurple.sundre.com/home |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920030016/http://elksroyalpurple.sundre.com/home |archive-date=2008-09-20 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Elks & Royal Purple (Sundre & Area Chapter) |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |196 |{{dts|March 18, 1956}} – January 2022 |Drayton Valley Royal Purple Lodge No. 196 |Drayton Valley, Alberta |Inactive |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayhew |first=Lil |date=2022-01-18 |title=Goodbye Royal Purple |url=https://dvfreepress.com/goodbye-royal-purple/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Drayton Valley and District Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |206 | |Medicine Hat Royal Purple Lodge No. 206 |Medicine Hat, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |233 | |Benalto Royal Purple Lodge No. 233 |Benalto, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |248 | |Trenville Royal Purple Lodge No. 248 |Elnora, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |258 | |Hanna Royal Purple Lodge No. 258 |Hanna, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /> |- |266 | |Sexsmith Lodge No. 266 |Sexsmith, Alberta |Inactive |<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Membership Drives |url=http://www.abroyalpurpleassn.org/membershipdrives.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031225221703/http://www.abroyalpurpleassn.org/membershipdrives.html |archive-date=2003-12-25 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Alberta Royal Purple Association |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |- |277 | |North Kamloops Royal Purple Lodge No. 277 |North Kamloops, British Columbia |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /> |- |285 | |Breton Royal Purple Lodge No. 285 |Breton, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":7" /> |- |287 | |Sherwood Park Royal Purple Lodge No. 287 |Sherwood Park, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":7" /> |- |304 | |Delia Royal Purple Lodge No. 304 |Delia, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |315 | |Carberry Royal Purple Lodge No. 315 |Carberry, Manitoba |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /> |- |317 | |Didsbury Royal Purple Lodge No. 317 |Didsbury, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |361 | |Crossfield Royal Purple Lodge No. 261 |Crossfield, Alberta |Inactive |<ref name=":6" /> |- |376 |1998 |River City Royal Purple Lodge No. 376 |Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |Inactive |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Welcome To River City Royal Purple #376 |url=http://www.members.shaw.ca/rivercity376/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511082251/http://www.members.shaw.ca/rivercity376/ |archive-date=2011-05-11 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=River City Royal Purple #376 |via=web.archive.org}}</ref> |} {{notelist}}

== See also == *Emblem Club *Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20131017120235/http://royalpurpleofcanada.org/index.html Official website] as of 2013, the last copy taken by the Wayback Machine

Category:Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Category:Organizations established in 1915 Category:Women's organizations based in Canada Category:Organizations disestablished in 2015 Category:Fraternities and sororities in Canada