Historical Background of the Degree System

The origins of Freemasonry’s degree structure are rooted in the medieval guild traditions of operative stonemasons — the craftsmen who built the great cathedrals, castles, and civic monuments of Europe. These guilds used a system of ranks to distinguish apprentices from journeymen and master craftsmen, regulating both knowledge and access to trade secrets. When speculative Freemasonry — concerned not with physical building but with moral and philosophical development — emerged in the early eighteenth century, it inherited and transformed this hierarchical model.

The founding of the Premier Grand Lodge of England in London in 1717 marks a pivotal moment in Masonic history. At this point, the Craft operated primarily with two degrees: the Entered Apprentice and the Fellow Craft. The third degree, that of Master Mason, appears to have been introduced or formalised in the 1720s, with records suggesting its increasing prominence by around 1725. This three-degree framework, known as the Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge system, became the foundational structure of Freemasonry worldwide.

Over the following century, additional degrees proliferated as enthusiastic Masons — particularly in France, continental Europe, and eventually the United States — developed elaborated rites that built upon the symbolism of the first three degrees. Figures such as the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay, an influential Scottish-born Freemason based in France, delivered a famous oration in 1736 that helped inspire the development of chivalric and higher degrees. By the late eighteenth century, systems such as the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and numerous other rites had codified extended degree programmes that offered Masons a deeper philosophical journey beyond the Craft Lodge.

The Three Degrees of the Blue Lodge

The foundation of all Masonic experience rests in the three degrees of the Craft, conferred within the symbolic lodge. These are the degrees that every Freemason receives, regardless of which appendant bodies or higher rites they may later explore. Together, they form a complete allegorical narrative using the symbolism of the stonemason’s art.

The First Degree: Entered Apprentice

The journey begins with the degree of Entered Apprentice. In this degree, the candidate is symbolically received into the world of Freemasonry as a new member of society — uninstructed, humble, and seeking light. The ceremony uses powerful allegory to illustrate the themes of transition, trust, and the beginning of moral inquiry. The candidate is divested of material possessions and enters the lodge in a particular manner that symbolises vulnerability and openness to instruction.

The working tools presented in this degree are the twenty-four inch gauge and the common gavel. These tools, drawn from the stonemason’s trade, are applied allegorically: the gauge teaches the Mason to divide time wisely between labour, refreshment, and service to God and others, while the gavel symbolises the conscience — the force that chips away at the rough edges of one’s character. The lessons of the Entered Apprentice degree focus on the fundamentals of Masonic virtue: brotherly love, relief, and truth.

The Second Degree: Fellow Craft

Having made progress in the first degree, the Mason is advanced to the degree of Fellow Craft. This degree shifts the philosophical emphasis toward intellectual development and the pursuit of knowledge. Where the Entered Apprentice represented the beginning of moral education, the Fellow Craft represents its expansion — a call to study the liberal arts and sciences, to apply reason to the understanding of both the natural and the divine.

The working tool of the Fellow Craft is the square, an instrument used to test and prove the accuracy of right angles. Allegorically, it teaches the Mason to square their actions by the moral law. The degree makes extensive reference to the liberal arts and sciences — grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy — positioning Freemasonry as an intellectual tradition that honours the full range of human knowledge. Geometry, in particular, holds a place of special reverence, understood as the foundational science underlying all creation.

The Third Degree: Master Mason

The third degree, that of Master Mason, is widely regarded as the most profound of the Craft degrees and one of the most moving ceremonies in all of Freemasonry. It tells the allegorical story of Hiram Abiff, the legendary master architect of King Solomon’s Temple, who is said to have been slain by three ruffians who sought to extort from him the secrets of a Master Mason before the Temple was complete. The drama of the degree explores themes of fidelity, mortality, the immortality of the soul, and the triumph of integrity over adversity.

The working tools of this degree are the skirret, the pencil, and the compasses, teaching lessons about the straight and narrow path, the recording of one’s moral conduct, and the importance of circumscribing one’s behaviour within due bounds. Upon completion of this degree, a Mason is considered a full member of the fraternity — a Master Mason — and is entitled to full participation in lodge life. All the degrees that follow in any rite or appendant body are supplementary to, and build upon, the foundation laid here.

The York Rite and Its Degrees

For many Masons who wish to continue their Masonic education beyond the Blue Lodge, the York Rite offers a rich and historically significant path. The York Rite is not a single organisation but a collection of three separate bodies, each conferring additional degrees that amplify and extend the symbolism of the Craft degrees.

The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons

The Royal Arch Chapter confers four degrees: the Mark Master Mason, the Past Master (Virtual), the Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch. In many Masonic jurisdictions — including those in England and Wales — the Royal Arch is considered the completion of the third degree rather than a separate entity. The Duke of Sussex, as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England in the early nineteenth century, championed the famous declaration that pure ancient Masonry consists of three degrees including the Royal Arch. The degree itself is considered by many to be the most sublime of all Masonic degrees, presenting a dramatic allegory of discovery and restoration that resonates deeply with themes of resurrection and enlightenment.

The Council of Cryptic Masons

The Cryptic degrees — the Royal Master and the Select Master, with the Super Excellent Master in some jurisdictions — fill in the symbolic narrative surrounding King Solomon’s Temple, providing backstory and context to both the third degree and the Royal Arch. The term “cryptic” derives from the word crypt, as these degrees deal allegorically with secret vaults and hidden chambers beneath the Temple. They are widely valued for their dramatic richness and the way they connect the story of Hiram Abiff to the preservation and eventual recovery of sacred wisdom.

The Commandery of Knights Templar

The Knights Templar orders within the York Rite are distinctive in that they are explicitly Christian in their orientation — the only part of the mainstream Masonic structure that requires a specific religious affiliation (Christian belief) for membership. The orders conferred include the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Temple. These chivalric orders draw on the historical legacy of the medieval Knights Templar and the Hospitallers, clothing Masonic moral instruction in the romantic symbolism of crusading knighthood and Christian devotion.

The Scottish Rite and Its Degrees

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite — known in England and Wales as the Ancient and Accepted Rite — is the most extensive degree system in Freemasonry, conferring degrees numbered from the 4th to the 32nd, with the 33rd degree awarded as an honour for distinguished service. Despite its name, the Scottish Rite did not originate in Scotland; it was largely codified in France and the United States during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The degrees of the Scottish Rite are organised into four bodies:

• The Lodge of Perfection — conferring the 4th through 14th degrees
• The Chapter of Rose Croix — conferring the 15th through 18th degrees
• The Council of Kadosh — conferring the 19th through 30th degrees
• The Consistory — conferring the 31st and 32nd degrees

Albert Pike, the nineteenth-century American Freemason, jurist, and scholar, made an enormous contribution to the Scottish Rite in the United States by substantially rewriting and elaborating its rituals. His monumental work Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871) remains a landmark in Masonic literature, offering philosophical and symbolic commentary on the degrees. Pike sought to give each degree intellectual depth and to connect Masonic symbolism to a vast range of philosophical, religious, and historical traditions.

Among the best-known degrees of the Scottish Rite are the 18th degree (Knight Rose Croix), which reflects on themes of faith, hope, and charity in a context rich with Christian symbolism, and the 32nd degree (Master of the Royal Secret), which serves as the culmination of the Rite’s philosophical journey. The honorary 33rd degree is awarded by the Supreme Council to those who have rendered exceptional service to the fraternity or to society at large.

Other Rites and Appendant Bodies

Beyond the York and Scottish Rites, a remarkable diversity of Masonic degrees exists within various other rites and appendant bodies, many with long and distinguished histories.

The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm

This rite, which traces its origins to early nineteenth-century France and Italy, is famous for the extraordinary number of degrees it once contained — at various points, as many as 97 or even more. Today it is typically reduced in practice, but it remains notable for its esoteric emphasis and its synthesis of Egyptian, Hermetic, and Kabbalistic symbolism alongside conventional Masonic allegory. The Rite of Memphis-Misraïm has attracted scholars and mystics interested in the deeper philosophical dimensions of Masonic symbolism.

The Royal Order of Scotland

The Royal Order of Scotland is an ancient and distinguished body conferring two degrees: the Heredom of Kilwinning and the Rosy Cross. Membership is restricted to Master Masons who are also Royal Arch Masons, and the organisation claims historical connections to Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, though these claims belong to the realm of Masonic legend rather than documented history. The order is headquartered in Edinburgh and meets with a dignified formality that reflects its sense of historical prestige.

The Shrine and Other Bodies

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine — commonly known as the Shriners — is perhaps the best-known appendant body to the outside world, famous for its charitable work, particularly its network of Shriners Hospitals for Children. While the Shrine requires completion of either the Scottish Rite or the York Rite Templar degrees for eligibility, it is not itself a degree-conferring body in the traditional sense, but rather a social and philanthropic organisation that draws its membership from advanced Masons.

The Philosophy Behind the Degree Structure

It would be a mistake to view the degrees of Freemasonry as merely a hierarchy of status or seniority. Their deeper purpose is pedagogical and transformative. Each degree is designed as an experience — combining dramatic ritual, memorised catechism, symbolic instruction, and fraternal interaction — that leaves an impression on the candidate’s moral imagination. The gradual unfolding of Masonic teaching across the degrees reflects an ancient and widespread pedagogical principle: that profound wisdom must be approached step by step, and that the readiness to receive deeper knowledge must be cultivated through experience and reflection.

The symbolism of light is pervasive throughout Masonic degree work. The Entered Apprentice seeks light; as he progresses, more light is progressively revealed. This metaphor, familiar from philosophy and religious traditions worldwide, captures the spirit of Masonic progression beautifully. Freemasonry does not claim to possess hidden supernatural secrets, but rather to use symbol, allegory, and ritual to prompt reflection on timeless questions of morality, human dignity, the existence of God, and the proper conduct of a good life.

The requirement that a candidate believe in a Supreme Being — regardless of the specific religious tradition — means that Freemasonry’s degree work is designed to resonate across faiths. The Volume of the Sacred Law, placed upon the altar in every lodge, may be the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, the Vedas, or another scripture appropriate to the candidate’s faith. This inclusive approach reflects Freemasonry’s foundational conviction that the pursuit of moral truth transcends religious boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Degrees of Freemasonry

How many degrees of Freemasonry are there in total?

The answer depends on which rites and bodies one considers. The foundational Blue Lodge system comprises three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Beyond these, the Scottish Rite adds degrees numbered 4 through 33, while the York Rite confers additional degrees through its Chapter, Council, and Commandery. Other rites, such as Memphis-Misraïm, historically claimed dozens more. In practice, the vast majority of Freemasons work primarily within the three Craft degrees and may explore one or more appendant bodies according to their interests and availability in their region.

Do higher degrees make someone a more important or senior Mason?

Not in a hierarchical sense within the Craft. The degrees of the Scottish Rite and York Rite are supplementary to — not superior to — the three Craft degrees. A 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Mason does not outrank a Master Mason in the context of the Craft Lodge. The higher degrees offer additional philosophical and symbolic content, but they do not confer authority over those who have not received them. Masonic leadership and seniority within a lodge are determined by elected office, not by appendant degree.

Is there a time requirement between degrees?

Most Masonic jurisdictions require a period of time between degrees — a practice sometimes called “proficiency” — during which the candidate is expected to study the material of the degree just received, memorise ritual responses, and demonstrate understanding before advancement. This ensures that the degrees are meaningful experiences rather than mere formalities. The specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, but the principle of measured progression is universal and reflects Freemasonry’s emphasis on genuine learning over mere ceremony.

Are the degrees of Freemasonry kept secret?

While certain specific elements of Masonic ritual — particularly the modes of recognition such as grips, words, and signs — are treated as confidential among Masons, the broad outlines, themes, and symbolism of the degrees are widely available in books, academic studies, and reputable websites. Freemasonry does not claim to hold secrets that would be harmful to others; rather, the tradition of confidentiality serves to preserve the meaning and impact of the ritual experience for candidates who receive the degrees. The journey of discovery is considered part of the value of the experience.

Can women participate in the degrees of Freemasonry?

Mainstream or “regular” Freemasonry, as recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England and most Grand Lodges worldwide, is traditionally restricted to men. However, there are several well-established organisations that confer Masonic degrees to women, including the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, both active in England. Additionally, co-Masonic organisations such as Le Droit Humain admit both men and women and confer the full range of Craft and higher degrees. These bodies have their own distinguished histories and traditions, and their existence reflects the enduring appeal of Masonic philosophy and practice across a broad community of seekers.

Conclusion: A Living Tradition of Progressive Wisdom

The degrees of Freemasonry represent one of the most thoughtfully constructed systems of moral and philosophical education that the modern world has inherited from earlier centuries. From the first tentative steps of the Entered Apprentice to the rich philosophical tapestry woven by the higher degrees of the Scottish and York Rites, the Masonic degree system invites each member on a personal journey of reflection, growth, and fraternal connection. Its enduring vitality across more than three centuries, in dozens of countries and across many cultures, is testament to the depth and universality of the values it embodies. For those curious about what Freemasonry truly offers, understanding its degrees is the most illuminating place to begin.

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The message The Degrees of Freemasonry Explained first published on De Vrijmetselaar.

Historical Background of the Masonic Degree System

The origins of the Masonic degree system are rooted in the transition of stonemasons’ guilds from operative (working) craft organizations to speculative (philosophical) brotherhoods during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The earliest clear evidence of a formal degree structure dates to the founding of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717, though historians such as David Stevenson have argued persuasively that organized Masonic lodges existed in Scotland as early as the late 16th century.

The initial structure consisted of two degrees — Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft — mirroring the ranks within a medieval stonemasons’ guild. The third degree, that of Master Mason, emerged and became standardized during the early 18th century, likely around the 1720s. The premier Grand Lodge of England, under figures such as James Anderson — who compiled the famous Constitutions of the Free-Masons in 1723 — helped formalize these rituals and establish the three-degree system as the backbone of what is now called “Craft Masonry” or “Blue Lodge Masonry.”

As Freemasonry spread across Europe and into the Americas, additional degrees were developed by various bodies to expand on the philosophical and allegorical teachings of the Craft. By the mid-18th century, figures such as the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay in France had introduced ideas that inspired so-called “High Degree” Masonry, leading to the eventual development of elaborate systems with dozens of additional degrees. This expansion reflected the Enlightenment spirit of the era — an enthusiasm for knowledge, moral philosophy, and the search for deeper meaning.

The Three Degrees of Craft Masonry

The foundation of virtually all Masonic systems worldwide rests upon the three degrees of the symbolic lodge, commonly referred to as the “Blue Lodge.” These three degrees — Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason — represent a journey from initiation and learning, through growth and skill, to full membership and wisdom. Every Freemason begins here, regardless of which additional bodies he may later join.

The First Degree: Entered Apprentice

The First Degree is the rite of initiation into Freemasonry. A candidate who receives this degree is symbolically entering the fraternity as an apprentice — open, humble, and ready to learn. The ceremony draws on the imagery of the medieval stonemason who, as a young man, was apprenticed to learn the tools and principles of the craft. In terms of symbolism, the Entered Apprentice is associated with birth, new beginnings, and the preparation of the raw material of self.

Key symbols introduced at this stage include the gavel, representing the force of conscience used to shape one’s character; the chisel, symbolizing education and refinement; and the rough ashlar, representing the imperfect human being before Masonic teaching begins to have its effect. The candidate is introduced to the concept of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth — the three great principles of Freemasonry — and takes his first obligation to the fraternity.

Morally, the Entered Apprentice degree emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, the pursuit of knowledge, and the cultivation of virtue. The teachings at this level are deliberately foundational, encouraging the new Mason to look inward and begin the lifelong process of self-improvement.

The Second Degree: Fellow Craft

The Second Degree represents a stage of intellectual and moral progress. Having been initiated, the Mason is now a Fellow Craft — a craftsman who has developed his skills and is deepening his understanding of the symbolic architecture of Freemasonry. The ritual of this degree places particular emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences, encoded in the medieval concept of the trivium and quadrivium: grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.

The central symbol of the Fellow Craft degree is the winding staircase, representing the Mason’s ascent toward greater knowledge and understanding. The number of steps varies by jurisdiction, but each step is said to represent a virtue, a stage of life, or one of the seven liberal arts. The Fellow Craft is encouraged to pursue learning not merely for personal advancement but as a means of better serving God and humanity.

The perfect ashlar is introduced at this stage — the polished stone, smooth and ready to be placed in the building — symbolizing a person who has worked on themselves and grown through education and discipline. This degree reflects the Enlightenment values that deeply influenced early Freemasonry: the belief that reason, learning, and moral development are paths to human improvement and social harmony.

The Third Degree: Master Mason

The Third Degree is widely considered the most important and most emotionally resonant of the Masonic degrees. It is here that the candidate experiences the central legend of Freemasonry: the allegory of Hiram Abiff, the legendary architect of King Solomon’s Temple, who is said to have been slain by three ruffians who sought to extort from him the secret word of a Master Mason. Despite threats against his life, Hiram refuses to betray his obligations and is killed. His body is later discovered and given an honorable burial.

The drama of this legend — enacted ceremonially during the degree — carries profound symbolic messages about fidelity, integrity, the inevitability of death, and the hope of resurrection and immortality. The candidate, in experiencing this drama, is taught that loyalty to one’s principles matters more than life itself, and that from death and darkness, light and new life can emerge.

Upon completing the Third Degree, a Freemason is a fully recognized Master Mason — able to visit lodges, participate in all Craft activities, and, if he chooses, petition for membership in appendant bodies that offer further degrees. The Master Mason’s degree is considered complete in itself; the additional degrees offered elsewhere are seen as elaborations upon, not replacements of, the teachings of the Craft.

The York Rite: Expanding the Journey

For many Masons who wish to explore further, the York Rite offers a coherent path of additional degrees organized into three bodies: the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Cryptic Masons, and the Commandery of Knights Templar.

The Royal Arch Degrees

Often described as the completion of the Master Mason’s degree, the Royal Arch is so significant that the United Grand Lodge of England once declared it not a separate degree but “the completion of the third degree.” The Royal Arch degrees — Mark Master, Virtual Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch — develop the allegory of the Temple further, revealing symbolic secrets and expanding on the themes of loss and recovery.

Thomas Smith Webb, an influential American Masonic ritualist of the early 19th century, helped shape the York Rite in the United States, codifying its rituals and making them accessible to a growing Masonic population. The Royal Arch is particularly celebrated for the philosophical depth it adds to the Master Mason’s journey.

The Cryptic Degrees and Knights Templar

The Council of Cryptic Masons confers the degrees of Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master, which fill in narrative details of the Temple legend and introduce further moral lessons about secrecy, fidelity, and wisdom. The Commandery of Knights Templar, unique among York Rite bodies, has a distinctly Christian focus and confers the Orders of the Red Cross, Malta, and the Temple, drawing upon the imagery of medieval Christian chivalry.

The Scottish Rite: A System of 33 Degrees

Perhaps the most widely known of all Masonic appendant bodies is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which confers degrees numbered from the 4th through the 32nd, with the honorary 33rd degree awarded for exceptional service. Despite its name, the Scottish Rite did not originate in Scotland; it developed primarily in France and the Caribbean in the mid-18th century and was formally organized in the United States in 1801 with the establishment of the Supreme Council in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Scottish Rite degrees are divided into four bodies:

• Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°): Degrees focused on the construction and loss of the Temple of Solomon, and the search for lost wisdom.
• Chapter of Rose Croix (15°–18°): Degrees exploring philosophical themes of death, darkness, and resurrection, heavily influenced by Rosicrucian symbolism.
• Council of Kadosh (19°–30°): Degrees dealing with knightly and philosophical themes, including explorations of justice, religious tolerance, and Masonic history.
• Consistory (31°–32°): The final degrees conferred upon all candidates, emphasizing the Scottish Rite’s core values of reverence, justice, and brotherly love.

The 33rd degree, officially known as Inspector General Honorary, is conferred by the Supreme Council and is not applied for — it is bestowed upon 32nd-degree Masons who have made outstanding contributions to Freemasonry or to their communities. Famous recipients of the 33rd degree have included Albert Pike, whose monumental work Morals and Dogma (1871) remains one of the most comprehensive expositions of Scottish Rite philosophy ever written, as well as Albert G. Mackey, one of the foremost Masonic scholars of the 19th century.

The Shriners and Other Masonic Bodies

Beyond the York and Scottish Rites, numerous other Masonic bodies offer their own degrees and orders, each with distinct traditions and charitable missions. The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine — universally known as the Shriners — requires membership as a Master Mason (and in the United States, often as a Scottish or York Rite Mason) before joining. The Shriners are perhaps best known for their extensive network of children’s hospitals, making them one of North America’s most impactful charitable institutions.

Other appendant bodies include the Order of the Eastern Star (open to both men and women related to Master Masons), the Royal Order of Scotland, the Societas Rosicruciana (open to Master Masons with a Christian belief), and the Order of DeMolay and Job’s Daughters, which cater to young people with Masonic family connections. Each of these bodies has its own degree structure and philosophical focus, but all trace their roots to the foundation of the three Craft degrees.

Symbolism and Philosophy Across the Degrees

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Masonic degree system is the consistency and depth of its symbolic language. Throughout all the degrees — from the rough ashlar of the First Degree to the philosophical heights of the Scottish Rite — Freemasonry employs the tools and imagery of architecture and stonemasonry as metaphors for the building of human character and the ideal society.

The square and compasses, the universal symbol of Freemasonry, appear throughout the degrees as reminders of the Mason’s obligation to live within the bounds of morality (the square) and to keep his passions and desires in proper proportion (the compasses). The Volume of Sacred Law — in most English-speaking lodges, the Bible — is always open on the altar, reminding Masons that their work takes place in acknowledgment of a higher moral authority, which each Mason understands according to his own faith.

The degree system also reflects a deeply humanistic philosophy. Freemasonry does not claim to be a religion, but it insists that every member believe in a Supreme Being — described in Masonic writings as the Grand Architect of the Universe. This inclusive approach to the divine allowed Freemasonry to embrace men of diverse religious backgrounds at a time when sectarian conflict was common, making the lodge a rare space of tolerance and intellectual freedom. Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, who was initiated as a Freemason in Paris in 1778 just weeks before his death, recognized this spirit of rational inquiry and brotherhood.

The Degrees Today: Relevance and Practice

In contemporary Freemasonry, the degree system remains the living heart of the organization. While social and charitable activities are important aspects of lodge life, it is the conferral and study of the degrees that distinguishes Freemasonry from other civic organizations. Modern lodges invest considerable effort in the quality of degree work — the careful performance of ritual, the thoughtful explanation of symbolism, and the mentorship of new members.

In many jurisdictions, educational programs such as the Lodge Education Officer system encourage Master Masons to revisit the degrees they have already received, understanding them more deeply with each encounter. This approach reflects a central Masonic truth: the degrees are not a curriculum to be completed and forgotten, but a lifelong conversation between the Mason and his own conscience, conducted through the language of symbol and allegory.

Digital resources, Masonic research lodges (known as lodges of research or lodges of instruction), and publications by bodies such as the Philalethes Society have made Masonic education more accessible than ever, ensuring that the wisdom encoded in the degrees continues to be explored by new generations of Freemasons around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Degrees of Freemasonry

How many degrees are there in Freemasonry?

The answer depends on which branch of Freemasonry you are referring to. The foundational Craft or Blue Lodge Masonry has three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. The Scottish Rite adds degrees numbered 4 through 32, with the honorary 33rd degree. The York Rite has its own set of additional degrees organized through the Chapter, Council, and Commandery. In total, depending on the appendant bodies involved, a Mason could be exposed to over thirty distinct degrees, though the three Craft degrees are universally recognized as the foundation.

Do higher degrees mean higher authority in Freemasonry?

This is a very common misconception. In Freemasonry, higher degrees do not confer authority over lower-degree members within the Craft lodge. A 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Mason, for example, has no authority over a Master Mason in a Blue Lodge setting. The additional degrees represent a deepening of philosophical and symbolic education, not a hierarchy of command. In fact, within a Craft lodge, it is the elected officers — particularly the Worshipful Master — who hold authority, regardless of what appendant degrees they may hold.

How long does it take to receive all the degrees?

The pace varies significantly by jurisdiction and individual lodge. In many jurisdictions, a candidate must wait a set period between degrees — ranging from a few weeks to several months — to allow time for reflection and study. Receiving the three Craft degrees might take anywhere from a few months to a year or more. Pursuing Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees after that can take additional years, depending on the lodge’s schedule and the candidate’s commitment. Some bodies offer “reunion” weekends where multiple degrees are conferred over a short period, though many Masons prefer the traditional, gradual approach.

Is the 33rd degree the highest degree in Freemasonry?

The 33rd degree is the highest degree in the Scottish Rite system and is perhaps the most widely recognized of all “higher” Masonic degrees. However, other Masonic bodies have their own equivalent honors. In the York Rite, the Order of the Knights Templar is seen as the pinnacle of that system. And as mentioned above, no additional degree supersedes the standing of a Master Mason in the Craft lodge. The 33rd degree is specifically an honor of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite and is awarded in recognition of exceptional service.

Can women receive the degrees of Freemasonry?

Traditional or “regular” Freemasonry, as recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England, restricts its degrees to men. However, there exist several well-established “co-Masonic” or “mixed” grand lodges that confer the degrees upon both men and women, as well as entirely female grand lodges — particularly in France and the United Kingdom — that confer the full range of Masonic degrees exclusively to women. Additionally, the Order of the Eastern Star and similar bodies offer degree-based initiatic experiences to women with Masonic family connections. The question of gender inclusion continues to evolve differently across jurisdictions and Masonic bodies around the world.

Read more about this topic

• All articles in this category: Freemasonry & Society
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• The Human Catapult: On Daredevils, Trust, and Brotherhood
• Falling Inflation, Rising Worries: A Philosophical Exploration

Frequently Asked Questions

The message The Degrees of Freemasonry Explained first published on De Vrijmetselaar.