MASONIC DEGREES STRUCTURE
BLUE LODGE
(Craft
Lodge or Symbolic Lodge)
This is starting point for all men who wish to become Masons. The
Blue Lodge confers the following degrees:
1.
Entered Apprentice
2.
Fellowcraft
3.
Master Mason
There are three branches of Freemasonry in which
a Master Mason (Third Degree) may proceed after he has completed the three
degrees of Symbolic or Blue Lodge Masonry. There are Masonic organizations
where their degrees are in addition to and in no way "higher" than
Blue Lodge degrees. Their work amplifies and elaborates on the lessons of the
Craft.
The 3rd Degree, that of the
Master Mason, is the highest degree the can be given
in all of Freemasonry.
These bodies acknowledge also that interruption of a member's Symbolic Lodge
standing automatically interrupts his membership in these bodies whether his
rank or honors he may have.
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ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH
RITES
After the Blue Lodge, a Master
Mason may receive further teachings through the Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite
can confer an additional 30 degrees to the Master Mason. They are divided as
follows in the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. The Southern
Jurisdiction is organized differently and has a few different names for some of
these degrees.
Northern Jurisdiction
|
Southern Jurisdiction
|
|
Lodge
of Perfection
4°
- 14°
|
Degrees
|
4°
- Secret Master
|
|
5°
- Perfect Master
|
|
6°
- Intimate Secretary
|
|
7°
- Provost and Judge
|
|
8°
- Intendant of the Building
|
|
9°
- Master Elect of the Nine
|
|
10°
- Master Elect of the Fifteen
|
|
11°
- Sublime Master Elected
|
|
12°
- Grand Master Architect
|
|
13°
- Master of the Ninth Arch
|
|
14°
- Grand Elect Mason
|
|
Lodge
of Perfection
4°
- 14°
|
Degrees
|
4°
- Secret Master
|
|
5°
- Perfect Master
|
|
6°
- Intimate Secretary
|
|
7°
- Provost and Judge
|
|
8°
- Intendant of the Building
|
|
9°
- Elu of the Nine
|
|
10°
- Elu of the Fifteen
|
|
11°
- Elu of the Twelve
|
|
12°
- Master Architect
|
|
13°
- Royal Arch of Solomon
|
|
14°
- Perfect Elu
|
|
|
Council,
Princes of Jerusalem
15°
- 16°
|
Degrees
|
15°
- Knight of the East or Sword
|
|
16°
- Prince of Jerusalem
|
|
Chapter
of Rose Croix
15°
- 18°
|
Degrees
|
15°
- Knight of the East of the Sword or of the Eagle
|
|
16°
- Prince of Jerusalem
|
|
17°
- Knight of the East and West
|
|
18°
- Knight of the Rose Croix
|
|
|
Chapter
of Rose Croix
17°
- 18°
|
Degrees
|
17°
- Knight of the East and West
|
|
18°
- Knight of the Rose Croix of HR D.M.
|
|
Council
of Kadosh
19°
- 30°
|
Degrees
|
19°
- Pontiff
|
|
20°
- Master of the Symbolic Lodge
|
|
21°
- Noachite, or Prussian Knight
|
|
22°
- Knight of the Royal Ax, Prince of Libanus
|
|
23°
- Chief of the Tabernacle
|
|
24°
- Prince of the Tabernacle
|
|
25°
- Knight of the Brazen Serpent
|
|
26°
- Prince of Mercy
|
|
27°
- Knight Commander of the Temple
|
|
28°
- Knight of the Sun, Adept
|
|
29°
- Scottish Knight of St. Andrew
|
|
30°
- Knight Kadosh or Knight of the Black and White Eagle
|
|
|
Consistory
19°
- 32°
|
Degrees
|
19°
- Grand Pontiff
|
|
20°
- Master ad Vitam
|
|
21°
- Patriarch Noachite
|
|
22°
- Prince of Libanus
|
|
23°
- Chief of the Tabernacle
|
|
24°
- Prince of the Tabernacle
|
|
25°
- Knight of the Brazen Serpent
|
|
26°
- Prince of Mercy
|
|
27°
- Commander of the Temple
|
|
28°
- Knight of the Sun
|
|
29°
- Knight of St. Andrew
|
|
30°
- Grand Elect Knight Kadosh
|
|
31°
- Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander
|
|
32°
- Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
|
|
Consistory
31°
- 32°
|
Degrees
|
31°
- Inspector Inquisitor Commander
|
|
32°
- Master of the Royal Secret
|
|
|
Honorary Achievement
33°
|
Degrees
33°
- Sovereign Grand Inspector General
|
Honorary Achievement
33°
|
Degrees
33°
- Sovereign Grand Inspector General
|
An honorary 33rd° is
conferred annually to certain 32nd° masons who have exemplified, in their daily
lives, the true meaning of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.
The recipient must be at least 33 years of age and may not apply for the degree.
Although the Scottish Rite
degrees are numbered, it is not to imply that masons who have achieved these
degrees are of "higher" rank. The highest degree in Freemasonry is the
sublime degree of Master Mason or 3° which is given in the Blue Lodge.
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YORK RITE
The York Rite is another organization that can give provide
additional Masonic teachings and confer additional degrees. The York Rite is
Christian in nature and is organized as follows:
|
Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons
|
Degrees
Mark Master
Past Master (Some Areas)
Most Excellent master
Royal Arch
|
|
Council
of Royal & Select Masters (Cryptic)
|
Degrees
Royal Master
Select Master
Super Excellent Master
|
|
Commandery
of Knights Templar
|
Degrees
Order
of the Red Cross
Order
of the Knights of Malta
Order
of the Knights Templar
|
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ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER OF NOBLES
OF THE MISTIC SHRINE
As of July 2000, any Master
Mason can now petition to join The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine, or A.A.O.N.M.S.
The Shrine grew out of Freemasonry over a century ago
and is meant to provide additional fellowship to its members through its various
clubs and other functions.
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