The Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude

One of a series of panels painted by Brother Ryan Flynn which was commissioned for a Lodge in New Jersey, Fortitude depicts one of the Four Cardinal virtues which is prevalent in Masonic Ritual.

Fortitude is depicted wearing the symbolic color of strength, red. She grips her sword in a manner where she could possibly be unsheathing the blade, or replacing it, signifying that many times in our lives there is strength in not acting.  A Mason must have the strength to stand up for his beliefs and simultaneously to be strong enough to be able to question his own.