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Lodge banner
This was our original Banner
We then decided to get a new design which we started using in 2006, the First image is the front, and second image is the back of the banner.
The Old Testament in particular mentions banners as being appropriate for the people of God. Psalm 22:5 "In the name of our God we will set up our banners" and Psalm 60:4 "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee." Religious banners are still used today. There is a whole craft involved in church banner making.
The background to Orange banners is probably to be found in military standards. Each regiment had it's own flag as well as the Union Flag. The earliest Orange standards were in fact large flags. They were quite plain by today's standards, normally coloured orange with a few emblems and an equestrian painting of William 111. The flag carried at the Battle of Dolly's Brae in 1849 is typical and can be seen at the museum in Loughgall. The first "Orange Walk" was held the year after the formation of the Order. It was in Lurgan, County Armagh, where reports tell us that each lodge hade it's own banner. On one side was painted an equestraian statue of William III crossing the Boyne; and on the other side a picture of George III, or of some local favourite. Sometimes the flags given formerly to local volunteer corps were gifted to Orange Lodges and these would have been mainly Blue silk embroidered with the Royal Arms.
The banners carried on two poles which we see today did not really become popular until the second half of the 19th Century. This style was not unique to Orange Lodges. In fact most fraternal societies like the Oddfellows had one and paraded their towns. So did various Temperance societies and also many Sunday Schools. Trade unions also carried this style of banner and apart from ourselves, it is only in miner's rallies and gala days, like in Durham, that we see them. These banners were of course massive compared with today's. A company in Chesham, England called Tutil's made banners for all these societies and some Orange Lodges have banners today made by them.
Today's banners are in fact, in the main, works of art. Standards vary of course. In fact you could say that we carry a walking art gallery. The paintings can be grouped into various themes. The rule book says that each banner must have a portrait of King William. This is often the case but not always. The events and heroes of the Williamite period adorn many banners as do the Reformers like Luther and Knox. There are also biblical scenes like Ruth, David and Goliath and St Paul imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, but not ashamed of it. Many banners also depict local scenes like churches, monuments and memorials. Others are connected with local industries like mining and shipbuilding.
How inspiring to walk behind a banner displaying a real hero. A real role model. Someone who was prepared to stand alone, stand up and be counted. Someone who lived a godly and righteous life, who led armies, who defeated foes and who gained freedom.
As well as providing inspiration to we who walk behind the banners, they also witness and proclaim to the watching public what the Orange Order is all about. That which made Britain great, that which made us the envy of the world is proclaimed for all to consider. The banners proclaim a message of loyalty, heritage and faith. Long may our banners be carried high, brightly gleaming in the sun, pointing to a better way "pointing to the sky, waving on Christ's soldiers to their home on high."