Yes, Secular Franciscans do wear a habit, and we always have! All of the novices of the Province of St. Barbara participate in the Franciscan Interprovinc ial Novitiate. Welcome to our celtic symbols page. Both are cinctured by a hemp-colored cord with four knots which symbolize the vows which we profess: unlimited consecration to the Immaculate, obedience, chastity, and poverty. This brown or off-white woollen garment is in the shape of a cross, and is belted by a white rope. Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and was used symbolically in the Old Testament. The knot that secures the belt at the waist is of no particular significance, but a special cincture knot -- also called a barrel knot -- is used for the three reminder knots. Tomorrow morning I will profess my Temporary, or “Simple,” Vows as a Franciscan Friar. Celtic Symbols and Their Meanings. Franciscans are one of the most popular and beloved orders among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. A Franciscan friar or brother's rope belt is called a cincture or girdle. Franciscan, any member of a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the early 13th century by St. Francis of Assisi. Franciscan synonyms, Franciscan pronunciation, Franciscan translation, English dictionary definition of Franciscan. The celts had a lot of symbols in their lore, this page features some of the most popular knots, and symbols that the celtic people recognized and used in their symbolism. The Franciscan habit becomes a symbol of Christ – the Tau . Ancient Origin. Do Secular Franciscans wear a habit? The three knots in this rope recall the three evangelical vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) that are at the heart of Franciscan life. While the cincture does help to keep the sack robes closed on gusty days, the three knots represent Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, the three cornerstones of the Franciscan Order. What’s that mean, you ask? The Franciscan order is one of the four great mendicant orders of the church, and its members strive to cultivate the ideals of poverty and charity. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans, himself wore the habit throughout his entire religious life. Three knots on the cord signify the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. At least once in his life a friar will be asked about the meaning of the cross, usually made of wood, which is shaped like a “T” and is often worn by Franciscan friars. Included below are pictures along with the descriptions and meanings of the symbols. The TAU is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and looks very much like the letter "T". THE TAU AND THE FRANCISCAN HABIT. The first recorded reference to the TAU is from Ezekiel 9:4, "Go through the city of Jerusalem and put a TAU on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it." The three knots in the Franciscan cord symbolize the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. St Bonaventure said that the Franciscan Habit is nothing less than the Cross of Christ to which the friar is tied by the cord with three knots … But since the novice has not yet made that commitment, his cord is without knots. As noted earlier, the Capuchins also have a hood on their garment, but it is otherwise the same as what is described above. Normally, the cord has three knots, symbolizing each of our religious vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience. The hood