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Encyclopedia > Masonic bodies
Part of a series of articles on
Freemasonry
Freemason

Core Articles
Freemasonry · Grand Lodge · Masonic Lodge · Masonic Lodge Officers · Prince Hall Freemasonry · Regular Masonic jurisdictions
“Freemasons” redirects here. ... Image File history File links Square_compasses. ... “Freemasons” redirects here. ... A Grand Lodge, or Grand Orient, is the usual governing body of Craft, or Blue Lodge, Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. ... In most areas of the world Masons gather together in Masonic Lodges to work the three degrees of Freemasonry: 1° = Entered Apprentice 2° = Fellow Craft 3° = Master Mason Blue Lodge is used to specify the basic Masonic Lodge granting the first three degrees and to differentiate it from other Masonic... This article relates to mainstream Craft Freemasonry, sometimes known in America as Blue Lodge Freemasonry. Every Masonic Lodge appoints Masonic Lodge Officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodges life and work. ... Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate, predominantly African-American, Freemasonic fraternal organization in North America. ... This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. ...


History
History of Freemasonry · Liberté chérie · Masonic manuscripts
The History of Freemasonry studies the development, evolution and events of the fraternal organization known as Freemasonry. ... Memorial of the KZ Esterwegen close-up Liberté chérie was the only known Masonic Lodge to be founded in a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. ... This box:      There are a number of manuscripts that are historically important in the development of Freemasonry. ...

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The fraternity of Freemasonry, also known as "Free and Accepted Masons," is organized into lodges, chapters, councils, commanderies, consistories, etc., which are collectively referred to as Masonic "bodies." The most basic Masonic body is the local "Masonic lodge," which confers the first three degrees in Masonry, being that of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.[1] “Freemasons” redirects here. ... A Master Mason is the designation of a Freemason who has completed the Third Degree in Masonic Lodge (aka Blue Lodge or Craft Masonry). ...


Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason,[2] there are a number of related organisations which have as a prerequisite to joining that one be a Master Mason. These include, but are not limited to Scottish Rite, York Rite, and the Shriners.[3] It has been suggested that Knight Kadosh be merged into this article or section. ... The York Rite (also called the American Rite) is one of the two main appendant bodies of United States Freemasonry, which a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. ... The Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. or Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, established in New York City in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry. ...


Additionally, there are also organizations that are affiliated with Freemasonry that admit both Master Masons as well as non-Masons who have some relation to a Master Mason. These include, but are not limited to, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Order of the Amaranth. Still other affiliated organizations like the Order of DeMolay, the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and others, admit non-Masons and have no requirement that an applicant be related to a Master Mason. General Grand Chapter logo The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world that both men and women can join. ... The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal organization composed of Master Masons and their properly qualified female relatives. ... This box:      International Order of DeMolay (originally known as the Order of DeMolay), founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919, is an international youth fraternity for young men. ... The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is a youth service organization which teaches leadership training through community service. ...


A number of terms, such as "appendant," "affiliated," "concordant," or "in amity" are used, sometimes interchangeably, to describe these bodies, illustrating that there is no one, single accurate description that includes them all.

Contents

History

Throughout the 17th century and the first two decades of the 18th century, Freemasonry in the British Isles seems to have consisted of only one degree, although there have survived some obscure references to symbolic elements that now appear in both the second and third degrees. Following the introduction of the second and third degrees in the 1720's, the premier Grand Lodge of England, formed in 1717, frowned on anything beyond the first three degrees, viz. the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason.


However, the Antients Grand Lodge in England, formed in 1751, claiming to be of an older tradition, with strong ties to the Freemasonry of Ireland and Scotland, allowed a wider range of more elaborate rituals to be worked. The Ancients believed, rightly or wrongly, that their possession of the Royal Arch Degree gave them the older, more complete tradition, and they derisively called the Masons of the premier Grand Lodge "the Moderns." When the two Grand Lodges merged in 1813, Article Two of the Articles of Union agreed that "pure ancient Masonry consists of three degrees, and no more," although by semantic wordplay that agreement included the "Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."[4]


The period from 1740 to 1813 saw a host of Masonic rites, orders and degrees emerge, as there were brethren for whom the Grand Lodge system was insufficient. These new rituals enlarged the scope of Masonry and encompassed many elaborations, some of which included elements which had previously been practiced within the craft. Many rites proved to be transient and died out (some being no more than a written record without evidence of having been practiced), but some proved more resilient and survived through amalgamation.


Recognition

Different Masonic jurisdictions vary in their relationships with appendant bodies, if at all. Some offer formal recognition, while others consider them wholly outside of Freemasonry. This leads to some such bodies not being universally considered as appendant bodies, but rather separate organizations that happen to require Masonic affiliation for membership.


Membership

Membership of Masonic bodies also vary greatly, because each group sets its own requirements. Many of these, especially those that actually confer additional Masonic degrees and orders, limit membership to Master Masons only. Others require the candidate to either be a Master Mason or have a familial relationship to one. Some require the candidate to be a Trinitarian Christian, which is more religiously specific than Craft Masonry, which accepts candidates of any faith as long as they declare a belief in a Supreme Being. Others require prior membership of other groups, or having held specific office in a group. Trinitarianism is the Christian doctrine that God, although one being, exists in three distinct persons (hypostases) known collectively as the Holy Trinity. ... The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as God,[1] and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity,[2] Islam,[3] Hinduism,[4] Deism[5] and Scientology. ...


Membership is sometimes open, and sometimes invitational. In the United States, the York and Scottish Rites make petitions available to all Master Masons but reserve the right to reject petitioners, while other groups like Priories of Knights of the York Cross of Honor require that a petitioner have presided over the four York Rite bodies (lodge, chapter, council and commandery), and others like the Knight Masons require that one be asked to join by a current member.


Rites, Orders and Degrees

In the United States

In the United States there are two main Masonic appendant bodies:

  • The York Rite (sometimes called "The American Rite"), which, aside from the craft lodge, is comprised of four separate and distinct bodies: the Royal Arch Chapter (Capitular Masonry), the Council of Royal & Select Masters (Cryptic Masonry), the Commandery of the Knights Templar, and the York Rite College. The York Rite also includes Priories of Knights of the York Cross of Honor.

It has been suggested that Knight Kadosh be merged into this article or section. ... The York Rite (also called the American Rite) is one of the two main appendant bodies of United States Freemasonry, which a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. ... Masonic Knights Templar is an international philanthropic templar organization and is a part of the York Rite in Freemasonry. ...

Outside the United States

In Great Britain and most other countries outside the United States, parts of the York Rite are known by other names:

  • The Mark Master. (Under the English Constitution, this degree is conferred in separate Mark Masters Lodges.)
  • The Holy Royal Arch. (Under the English Constitution, Royal Arch Chapters confer no other degrees.)
  • The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta; colloquially known as the KT or the Knights Templar with the latter being the official title in the US.

Further, in England, the following two Masonic bodies are known by names that are a bit different from their American counterparts: The Order of Mark Master Masons is an appendant order of Freemasonry that confers the degrees of Mark Man and Mark Master. ... The York Rite (also called the American Rite) is one of the two main appendant bodies of United States Freemasonry, which a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. ... Masonic Knights Templar is an international philanthropic templar organization and is a part of the York Rite in Freemasonry. ...

  • The Ancient and Accepted Rite (also colloquially called "The Rose Croix"). In England, this Rite drops the word "Scottish" from its title. Although the names of its degrees are the same as those in the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A., the Mother Supreme Council of the World, it has different requirements for membership and the progression through its degrees is more restricted.
  • The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist, colloquially known as the Red Cross of Constantine. (This is not to be confused with the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross in the U.S. Knight Templar system, which is an entirely different order.)

Other Orders and Degrees

The following affiliated and/or appendant bodies confer Masonic degrees. Those who petition or are invited to membership must be Master Masons. Each body may have additional qualifications for membership:

  • Allied Masonic Degrees. (In the U.S., councils of the A.M.D. exemplify twelve Masonic degrees. In England, councils confer only five degrees.)
  • The Mark Master Lodge. (In England, the Mark Master Masons' Degree is conferred in separate Mark Masters' Lodges. In the rest of the world, it is conferred in Royal Arch Chapters.)
  • Royal Ark Mariners. (In the U.S., it is part of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In the UK, separate lodges of Royal Ark Mariners are administrated by the Mark Grand Lodge. See Mark Master Lodge. In Canada, the degree is associated with the Cryptic Rite.)
  • The Order of the Secret Monitor. (In the U.S., the degree is exemplified as a part of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In England, separate conclaves of the Order include three degrees.)
  • The Red Branch of Eri. (In the U.S., it is part of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In England, the Order of Eri consists of three degrees.)
  • The Order of Eri. (Same as The Red Branch of Eri, above.)
  • Ye Antient Order of Noble Corks. (A part of the Allied Masonic Degrees. In England, and in some other countries, it is conferred separately.)
  • The Knight Masons. (In Ireland, councils of the Knight Masons of Ireland confer what is known as "the three Green Degrees." In the U.S., the Grand Council of Knight Masons of the U.S.A. charters councils in amity with the Grand Council of Ireland.)
  • Royal Order of Scotland. (The Grand Lodge of the Royal Order at Edinburgh, Scotland, controls approx. 85 Provincial Grand Lodges around the world, and confers two degrees.)
  • Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cite Sainte. (CBCS, or Knights Beneficent of the Holy City) (The Reformed Rite) (Great Priories of the Order are exclusive, invitational bodies which confer four degrees.)
  • The Rite of Baldwyn at Bristol. (Practiced only in the city of Bristol, UK, the camp confers five degrees.)
  • The Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests. (A rite of 33 degrees, of which only the last degree is conferred in full form in "tabernacles.")
  • Societas Rosicruciana. (Colleges confer nine degrees, or "grades.")
  • Order of St. Thomas of Acon. (A commemorative chivalric order. Organized in "chapels.")
  • The Order of the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Pavoirs, Plaisterers and Bricklayers. (Colloquially known as "The Operatives" and formed of seven degrees or "grades.")
  • The August Order of Light. (Temples of the Order confer three degrees. In England only.)

The Order of Mark Master Masons may often be the first Masonic organisation encountered beyond the Craft, that is, after completing the three basic Craft or blue degrees. ... The Order of Mark Master Masons may often be the first Masonic organisation encountered beyond the Craft, that is, after completing the three basic Craft or blue degrees. ... Cork emblem, used in the USA This box:      Ye Antient Order of Noble Corks also known as The Cork, is an informal degree allied to Freemasonry. ... The Royal Order of Scotland is a fraternity derived from freemasonry which is present worldwide and has its headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. ... This article is about the English city. ... Societas Rosicruciana is a name used by a number of Rosicrucian groups. ... The Commemorative Order of St. ...

Other Affiliated Bodies

The following affiliated and/or appendant bodies admit Masons only, but confer no Masonic degrees or orders:

  • Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, (A.A.O.N.M.S.). (Shriners as they are known colloquially, meet in Shrine "temples," and are well-known for their maroon fezzes, lavish parades, and sponsorship of children's hospitals.)
  • The Royal Order of Jesters (R.O.J.). (Colloquially know as "Jesters," local "courts" are limited to thirteen initiates yearly. Initiation, by invitation and unanimous ballot, is limited to members in good standing of the Shrine. See above.)
  • Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. Colloquially known as "The Grotto," members wear black fezzes.
  • National Sojourners. (An American patriotic organization for Master Masons who served as officers or warrant officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.)
  • Heroes of '76. (An American patriotic side order of the National Sojourners. See above.)
  • Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
  • Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill. (An American patriotic side order. Limited to the U.S. East coast.)
  • Order of Quetzalcoatl. (Colloquially known as "The Q", a group mostly in the West and Southwest of the US.)

The following affiliated organizations admit both Masons as well as non-Masons: A member of the Syrian Corvettes group of Shriners participates in a Memorial Day parade The Shriners, or Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, are an Order appendant to Freemasonry. ... The Shriners, A.A.O.N.M.S. or Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, established in New York City in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry. ... The Mystic Order of Vailed Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, whose subordinate bodies are the Grottos, is an organization by and for Master Masons. ... The Tall Cedars of Lebanon is one of the various appendant bodies of Freemasonry, open only to Master Masons in good standing in a regular Masonic Lodge. ... This box:      The Order of Quetzalcoatl, colloquially known as the Q, is a Masonic invitational body. ...

  • Order of the Eastern Star. (Primarily an American co-Masonic body, Masons who are members of lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England are prohibited from joining this quasi-Masonic organization.)
  • Order of the Amaranth. (An American androgynous order for Master Masons and their female relatives.)
  • Social Order of the Beauceant (S.O.O.B.). (An American androgynous order for Knights Templar, their wives and widows.)
  • White Shrine of Jerusalem. (An American Androgynous order for Master Masons and their female relatives.)

General Grand Chapter logo The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world that both men and women can join. ... The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal organization composed of Master Masons and their properly qualified female relatives. ...

Youth Organisations

A number of Masonic-affiliated youth organizations exist, mainly in North America, which are collectively referred to as Masonic Youth Organizations. Demolay International is the most common, followed by International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.


References

  1. ^ Coil, Henry Wilson; "Degrees," pp. 165-168; Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia; 1961, 1996, Macoy Publ. Co., Richmond, Va. ISBN-0-88053-054-5
  2. ^ http://www.grandlodge-england.org/pdf/cr-rule-update2-141205.pdf Aims and Relationships of the Craft
  3. ^ Jackson, Keith B. Beyond the Craft: The Indispensable Guide to Masonic Orders Practised in England and Wales, 2005. ISBN 0-85318-248-5
  4. ^ Coil, Henry Wilson; "England, Grand Lodges, Union of 1813," pp. 241-242; Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia; 1961, 1996, Macoy Publ. Co., Richmond Va.

 

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