The Duke of Kent leads a celebration for the 275th anniversary of Grand Lodge)
Worldwide freemasonry can be viewed like two sets of ascending stairs that begin and end together. Any eager young man that takes his first hesitant steps into the unknown world of freemasonry starts his journey with the first three steps. They are: -
1st Degree - entered apprentice
2nd Degree - fellowcraft
3rd Degree - master mason
Most men will be content to rest in this popular position because by now they will have learnt the secret handshakes and other rituals peculiar to this rite. The first three degrees now form the Blue Lodge of Masonry.
Later they will also have to decide at this point of time whether to either accept the Scottish Rite or the York Rite.
Scottish Rite
The popular Scottish Rite is represented with 30 steps or degrees. Personal mystic names will be granted to him in his journey to reach the highest pinnacle in masonry.
Five known Masonic figures of the past will meet and accompany him, and it is stated, guide him in his journey. These are king Solomon, king Cyrus, Sultan, Acolyte and George Washington. (Yes that one!)
Each degree is supposed to teach a moral. To earn a new degree the candidate must prepare himself for what will be asked and expected of him as he examines and learns the rituals.
The 32nd degree is the highest degree a participating mason can ever hope to achieve.
The acclaimed 33rd degree will be awarded to him, if he gets there, by members of the shadowy Supreme Council governing body of the Rite.
The Scottish Rite was started by exiled Scottish migrs in France. If (and he does have a choice), he might decide to journey through the York Rite.
York Rite
The York Rite, according to legend, derives its name from York in England. It was the first Masonic body to be organized. The journeying mason in the York Rite advances thorough ten degrees. These are known by a name and not by a number. They are as following: -
Master Mark
Past Master (Virtual)
Most Excellent Master
Royal Arch Mason
Royal Master
Select Master
Super Excellent Master
Order of the Red Cross
Order of the Knights of Malta
Order of the Knights Temple
Further Scottish Rite degrees
4th Secret Master
5th Perfect Master
6th Intimate Secretary
7th Provost and Judge
8th Intendant of the Building
9th Master elect of nine elu of the nine
10th Elect of fifteen elu of the fifteen
11th Sublime master elected elu of the twelve
12th Grand Master Architect: Master Architect
13th Master of the ninth Arch: Royal Arch of Solomon
14th Grand Elect Mason
15th Knight of the East or Sword
16th Prince of Jerusalem
17th Knight of the East and West
18th Knight of the Rose Cross
19th Grand Pontiff
20th Master Ad Vitam: Master of the Symbolic Lodge
21st Patriarch Noachite
22nd Prince of Libanus: Knight of the Royal Arch
23rd Chief of the tabernacle
24th Prince of the tabernacle
25th Knight of the brazen Serpent
26th Prince of mercy
27th Commander of the temple
28th Knight of the Sun
29th Knight of St. Andrew
30th Grand Elect Knight
31st Grand Inspector Inquisitor
32nd Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
33rd Sovereign Grand Inspector
Note:
Back in the Dark Ages~ masons were so valued for their mastery in skills of building, that they were allowed to cross borders unhindered~ so as too practice their trade and help build natons~
hence
they were called
Freemasons