THE SECRET SYMBOLS OF THE KKK SUPREME COUNCIL
This lot consists of the ceremonial medallions belonging to the KKK Supreme Council circa 1896 — who led the courageous group to declare the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
These consist of nine emblems that would identify its officers during the secret Masonic-style meetings of the Katipunan. Each medal, wrote Adrian Cristobal in “The Tragedy of the Revolution” was “symbolic and interpretative of the office or position of the wearer.” The Katipunan was founded in 1892 and adopted many of the Masonic brotherhood’s images and ideas. Each medal is crowned with an inverted triangle, a well-known Katipunan device whose secrecy and success rested in its system of three’s. The triangle is also a Masonic symbol.
Ramon Villegas, writing in his book ‘Hiyas’, said the nine medals may have represented various offices. One of the most precious parts of this lot is a medal of a mythic sun surrounded by a burst of rays. It was worn by the Supremo and President Andres Bonifacio. The sun symbolizes the guiding light of the vision of this pivotal revolutionary as well as his pre-eminence.
Another splendid piece was worn by Emilio Jacinto. As the Katipunan’s fiscal, secretary and chief propagandist, it is an open book pierced by a sword. It is a possible allegory for his writings in the newspaper “Kalayaan.” The book’s pages are inscribed in the KKK code. Decrypted, it reads: ‘Pagtatapat ang Tunay na Kalinasan (sic)’ or ‘In Truth, Genuine Purity.”
The other regalia were worn by the rest of the Supreme Council members. Adrian Cristobal, writing in “The Tragedy of the Revolution,” featured the medals and named their owners, including Dr. Pio Valenzuela, known as the physician of the Katipunan (represented by a quarter-moon); the Treasurer Vicente Molina (represented by a money pouch); Councilor Enrique Pacheco (represented by a pair of crossed keys); Councilor Hermenegildo Reyes (represented by a Katipunan bolo with an incised hilt and quillon, said to be symbolic of the Katipunan’s armed contingent); Councilor Balbino Florentino, (represented by the scales of justice); Councilor Francisco Carreon (represented by a sword with a turned handle); and Councilor Pantaleon Torres (represented by a fiery torch borne by a hand, perhaps symbolizing education.) Ramon N. Villegas, in his own book, interpreted their symbolisms.
In 1896, there were twelve members of the Supreme Council, with Enrique Pacheco and Francisco Carreon taking their oaths in April of that year. A tenth medal was a feature of the previous León Gallery Magnificent September Auction in 2018. Ramon N. Villegas has noted that the there were silversmiths (or plateros) who joined the Katipunan.
Looking beyond their significance as memorabilia that belonged to some of our greatest patriots and heroes, these medals reflect our common vision as a people for freedom and self-rule. Before the Katipunan’s leaders wore these medallions, the insignias of government in the Philippines had for centuries been entirely Spanish. The medallions may thus be seen as the very first emblems of our aspirations to have our own, truly Filipino, government.
- Lisa Guerrero Nakpil
Provenance: Provenance: From the collection of the pre-War numismatist Dr. Jesus Celis