WHAT IS FREEMASONRY
One of the world’s oldest fraternal groups is Freemasonry. It brings together honorable men who, despite coming from diverse religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, are united by their shared conviction that God is our father and that all people are brothers. Freemasonry, with its system of degrees, symbols, and fellowship opportunities, provides a framework or blueprint for the good man to further refine his actions and character.
Over 6 million Freemasons worldwide, with 1.1 million of them in North America, are members of the United Grand Lodge of England. Texas has one of the highest numbers of Masons in the nation, with over 60,000 Masons and 430 local Lodges.
To start your path to becoming a Master Mason, visit our Join page.
When did Freemason Start
In 1717, modern Freemasonry was founded in England, though its precise beginnings are lost in the forgotten history of the Middle Ages. Its origins can be traced to stonemason guilds that regulated stonemason qualifications starting at the end of the 13th century. A stonemason advanced through the ranks of apprentice, journeyman (now known as fellow craft), and master mason as he became skilled in his trade.
The craftsman was given access to each level’s secrets at each stage, including passwords and grips (or handshakes), which were revealed to him only after a master of the trade had properly inspected his proficiency. In this manner, each stonemason was guaranteed appropriate compensation and privileges according to his skill as they moved across Europe in search of their next project level, and customers were guaranteed high-quality work. Even though the focus of Freemasonry has changed from building structures to developing one’s own good character, the organization still adheres to the same secrets, rituals, and growth system.
What number of people are Freemasons?
As per the United Grand Lodge of England, the global Freemason membership stands at six million.
What principles does Freemasonry uphold?
Freemasonry’s core principles are truth, relief, and brotherly love.
Taking Care of Our Communities and Each Other Out of Brotherly Love
Relief: Aid and Support People in Need
Truth: Improving Ourselves, Our Families, and Our Communities through Knowledge and Understanding
As Freemasons, we understand that one of the best ways to uphold our Masonic values is to invest time, expertise, and experience through mentoring and coaching. Knowledge acquired should be shared. Masons should make it a priority to find and spread these fundamental truths and to live an informed, influential, and inspiring life in our fast-paced, modern, and frequently isolated society.
What does it mean to join the Masonic Order?
Freemasonry has historically given men the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest in the company of other men who share their values. Among contemporary organizations, this emphasis on the social, moral, and intellectual growth and well-being of the individual man is distinctive. The Masonic Lodge has served as a foundation for Masonic education for centuries, providing the principles and instruments needed for enlightenment, self-improvement, and living with a higher purpose. Masons strive to improve themselves via ritual, conversation, and community service, but just as importantly, they assist their fellow Masons in becoming better versions of themselves.
Which degrees are available in Freemasonry?
Three ceremonial phases—referred to by Masons as “degrees”—make up the Masonic Lodge membership process. Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason are the three degrees offered by Freemasonry. They have some loose inspiration from the journeyman system that Medieval Craftsmen were trained under. The three phases of human development—youth, manhood, and age—are symbolized by the degrees.
1st Degree: Entered Apprentice
This is the candidate’s first time participating in a fraternity ceremony, and it’s a serious and significant occasion similar to all Masonic ceremonies. A candidate receives the title of “Brother” and makes his first move as a Freemason after successfully completing the Entered Apprentice ceremony. Find out more about the degree of Entered Apprenticeship.
2nd Degree: Fellow Craft
A Brother gains greater exposure to the Fraternity’s symbolism and philosophy with the second Masonic degree. This degree would have signified a person’s advancement from apprentice to journeyman status for skilled craftsmen. Learn about the benefits of earning a Fellow Craft degree.
3rd Degree: Master Mason
A candidate becomes a full member of the fraternity with all of the rights and obligations that come with membership when they successfully complete the Master Mason degree, the final ceremony of the Lodge. Learn what the Master Mason degree entails.
Which symbols find application in Freemasonry?
What is meant by the Masonic symbols?
As they say, a picture really does speak a thousand words. With its origins in the Middle Ages, Freemasonry employs a wide range of symbols. These symbols reminded Masons of their duties, encouraged men to interpret and form their own opinions, identified Masons to one another, and taught those who were not proficient readers of written language. Among all the Masonic symbols, the square and compasses are the most well-known because they represent morality, honesty, and treating people fairly. As part of our blog series “behind the Masonic symbol,” click on these links to find out more about the square and compasses, the Masonic apron, the tools used by an accepted Mason, and King Solomon’s Temple.
A Masonic lodge: what is it?
Local Freemasons convene and carry out their work in Masonic lodges. The lodge is made up of its members and their shared efforts to uphold Masonic principles and have fun together, more so than its physical location. Freemasons perform ritual and impart other craft teachings during these private meetings. The actual building can be as elaborate as the magnificent Grand Lodges or as modest as a single room in a nearby structure. All Freemasons start their Masonic journey in a lodge, where they obtain their first three degrees.
The construction of King Solomon’s Temple served as the inspiration for the lodge’s customs, and during its fraternal ceremonies, stonemasons’ tools are used to represent moral lessons in relief and Veracity. Masons are reminded, for instance, at Lodge to act by the square of virtue, part upon the level of equality, and meet upon the plumb of uprightness.
To locate a lodge nearby, go to our lodge locator page.
brotherly love.
What religion is Freemasonry?
The goal of freemasonry is never to get in the way of someone’s dedication to their job, family, or faith. Freemasonry is a positive environment that serves as a reminder to members of their duties to themselves, their families, their communities, and the Supreme Architect—a personal definition of a Supreme Being—rather than replacing these significant institutions.