Although simply a Friendly Society, which provided sickness and pension benefits to its members, the Ancient Order of Foresters adapted Masonic regalia and rituals for its own purposes.

This is a purple silk ribbon, closed at the ends with a purple cord tassel. The ribbon has a white border and, on one side, TRUSTEE above embroidered coat of arms itself above letters AOF and a motto.

The Ancient Order of Foresters had many separate 'Courts', in many towns and villages. The ethos of the Society was expressed by reference to a mythological fraternity of woodsmen and was reinforced by wearing ceremonial dress and carrying symbolic artefacts.