Who Are the Freemasons? Unveiling the Ancient Brotherhood
They are a shadow in the public imagination, a whisper of secret handshakes and mysterious symbols. You have seen their emblems on buildings, on cars, and in history books. But who are the Freemasons, really? They are your neighbors, your colleagues, and the quiet philanthropists in your community, members of a fraternity dedicated not to world domination, but to personal improvement. This is a journey past the myths and into the heart of one of the world’s most enduring and misunderstood organizations.
What is Freemasonry, Exactly?
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest secular fraternal organizations. It is a unique system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols, designed to take good men and help them become better versions of themselves, better fathers, husbands, and citizens. It is not a religion, though its members must profess a belief in a Supreme Being, and its lessons are filled with spiritual and philosophical undertones.
The fraternity provides its members with a structured path for self-development, encouraging them to live by the high principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Through a series of dramatic ceremonies, or degrees, a Mason is taught to use the tools of ancient stonemasons as allegorical guides for building his own character. Freemasonry is, at its core, a school of moral virtue and a brotherhood of mutual support.
Where Did Freemasonry Come From?
The origins of Freemasonry trace back to the guilds of operative stonemasons who built the magnificent cathedrals and castles of the Middle Ages. These skilled craftsmen, the masters of geometry and architecture, possessed valuable trade secrets they guarded closely. They organized into lodges, which served as both workshops and meeting places where they could regulate their trade and pass their knowledge to worthy apprentices.
These medieval lodges had rudimentary initiation ceremonies and modes of recognition to prove their credentials as they traveled from one construction site to another. This practical foundation of secrecy, skill, and brotherhood laid the essential groundwork for the fraternity that would eventually emerge centuries later.
How did it transition from stonemasons to gentlemen?
As the great era of cathedral building waned in the 16th and 17th centuries, many stonemason lodges began to decline. To bolster their membership, they started accepting men who were not operative masons. These new members, known as “accepted” or “speculative” Masons, were typically educated gentlemen, philosophers, and community leaders drawn to the lodge’s moral teachings and fellowship.
This shift marked a profound transformation. The focus moved from building physical structures of stone to building moral and ethical structures within a man’s character. The tools of the stonemason, like the square and compasses, were repurposed as powerful symbols for teaching lessons in integrity, truth, and virtue. This evolution culminated in 1717, when four of these lodges in London united to form the first Grand Lodge of England, establishing the formal, organized structure of modern Freemasonry we know today.
Are there links to the Knights Templar?
There is no direct, verifiable historical link between the original Knights Templar, which was disbanded in the 14th century, and the formation of speculative Freemasonry over 300 years later. This is one of the most romantic and persistent myths surrounding the fraternity, but it lacks credible historical evidence.
The theory’s popularity stems from the shared themes of brotherhood, secrecy, and chivalric values. While the core degrees of Freemasonry do not reference the Templars, some later, optional Masonic bodies, known as appendant or concordant bodies, have adopted Templar themes and names. These organizations, like the Knights Templar within the York Rite, offer Masons a chance to explore chivalric and Christian-themed philosophies, but their rituals and history are distinct from the foundational Masonic craft.
What Do Freemasons Actually Do?
Freemasons meet in local groups called lodges to perform ritual ceremonies, conduct the business of their organization, and enjoy fellowship with one another. These meetings, often called “communications,” are the bedrock of the Masonic experience, providing a space for learning, governance, and brotherhood.
Lodge activities are multifaceted. They range from the solemn and dramatic conferral of degrees to the more mundane tasks of paying bills and planning charity events. After the formal meeting, many lodges hold a dinner or social gathering, which is a crucial time for members to bond and build the personal relationships that define the fraternity.
What happens in a Masonic lodge meeting?
A typical Masonic meeting follows a formal, structured agenda based on ancient customs and traditions. The lodge is opened and closed with a formal ritual that reminds the members of the virtues they are there to practice. The business portion of the meeting includes reading the minutes of the previous meeting, discussing lodge finances, voting on petitions from new candidates, and planning charitable or social events.
The centerpiece of many meetings is the conferral of a degree upon a candidate. This is a theatrical presentation, a moral play in which the candidate is the main character, and the lodge officers guide him through a series of symbolic lessons. These ceremonies are memorized and performed with great care and dignity, designed to make a lasting impression on the candidate’s mind and heart.
What are the Masonic degrees?
The core of Freemasonry is composed of three progressive degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. These degrees represent a symbolic journey of human development, from birth and youth to manhood and mature age, using the allegory of a stonemason’s career.
The Entered Apprentice degree is a candidate’s first step, representing youth and the beginning of his search for light, or knowledge. He is taught the foundational principles of the Craft and the importance of faith, morality, and discretion. It is a ceremony of initiation, where he learns to control his passions and begin the work of shaping his own moral character.
The Fellowcraft degree represents manhood and the pursuit of knowledge. The focus shifts to intellectual development, celebrating the seven liberal arts and sciences as the tools for understanding the world and the divine. This degree encourages a Mason to expand his mind, to reason, and to appreciate the wonders of geometry and architecture as metaphors for a well-ordered life.
The Master Mason degree is the culmination of ancient Craft Masonry, symbolizing maturity, wisdom, and the confrontation with mortality. It is centered on the allegorical story of a great builder from King Solomon’s Temple. Through this powerful drama, the Mason is taught profound lessons about integrity, faithfulness, and the hope of immortality. Raising a brother to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason is the highest honor a lodge can bestow.
Why is there so much symbolism?
Symbols are used as teaching tools to convey complex moral and philosophical ideas in a simple, universal, and memorable form. Freemasonry is a system of morality “veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” because a symbol can communicate more than words alone. It engages the mind on a deeper, more intuitive level.
Just as a country’s flag can evoke powerful feelings of patriotism and identity, Masonic symbols are meant to trigger contemplation of life’s great questions. The square reminds a Mason to be “square” in his dealings with all people. The compasses remind him to circumscribe his desires and keep his passions within due bounds. These are not secret codes, but open reminders of the virtues every Mason strives to live by.
What Are the Core Beliefs and Principles of Freemasons?
The core principles of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, and these are supported by a foundational belief in a Supreme Being. These tenets are the moral compass that guides a Freemason’s relationship with his fellow man, his community, and himself.
These principles are not abstract ideals but are meant to be actively practiced. They form the basis of a Mason’s character and are reinforced in every aspect of the lodge’s rituals and teachings. The goal is to internalize these values so they become a natural part of a member’s daily life.
What does “Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth” mean?
These are the three principal tenets of the fraternity, representing the duties a Mason owes to others and to himself. They are the pillars upon which the entire Masonic structure rests.
Brotherly Love is the practice of tolerance and kindness. It teaches a Mason to regard the entire human species as one family and to be a true friend not only to his Masonic brothers but to all of humanity. It means looking past differences in race, religion, or social status to find common ground.
Relief refers to charity and compassion for those in distress. Masons are taught to be charitable, to help a brother’s family in need, and to contribute to the well being of the wider community. This principle has led Freemasons to establish vast philanthropic networks, including hospitals, children’s homes, and scholarship funds.
Truth represents the Masonic pursuit of knowledge and integrity. It is the divine attribute that is the foundation of every virtue. For a Mason, this means being honest in character and action, pursuing intellectual and spiritual light, and living a life of unimpeachable integrity.
Do you have to believe in God to be a Freemason?
Yes, a belief in a Supreme Being is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement for membership in Freemasonry. However, the fraternity is not a religion and does not require a member to adhere to any specific creed or dogma.
Freemasonry is open to men of all faiths, be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or any other religion that includes a belief in a divine power. The specific name used for that Supreme Being and the nature of one’s worship are left entirely to the individual’s private conscience. This principle of religious tolerance is a cornerstone of the fraternity, allowing men of different faiths to meet in harmony and focus on their shared moral values.
Why is Freemasonry So Secretive?
Freemasonry is not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets. This is a critical distinction. A secret society is one that hides its existence, its membership, and its purpose. Freemasonry does none of these things. Masonic halls are clearly marked, members often wear rings or emblems, and the fraternity’s charitable and social activities are public knowledge.
The “secret” aspects of Freemasonry are limited to the traditional modes of recognition, like specific handshakes and passwords, and the particular details of its allegorical degree ceremonies. The fraternity’s principles, aims, and history are open for anyone to study. The privacy surrounding its rituals is designed to preserve the unique experience for new candidates and to strengthen the bond between members who share that common journey.
What are the secrets of Freemasonry?
The secrets of Freemasonry are the traditional methods by which one Mason can recognize another, including certain words, grips, and signs. Additionally, the specific dramatic presentation of the allegorical lessons within the degree rituals is kept private.
These are not secrets that hold any worldly power or sinister knowledge. Their purpose is threefold. First, they are part of a tradition stretching back to the operative masons who needed to prove their qualifications. Second, they ensure that the profound lessons of the degrees are revealed to a candidate in a controlled, impactful setting, rather than being spoiled beforehand. Third, sharing these unique experiences creates a powerful and lasting bond of brotherhood among the members.
Are Freemasons involved in conspiracies?
No, Freemasonry is not a conspiracy and is explicitly apolitical and non-sectarian. In fact, two subjects are strictly forbidden from being discussed within a Masonic lodge: politics and religion. This rule is in place to ensure that the lodge remains a place of peace and harmony, where men of different backgrounds and opinions can meet on common ground.
Conspiracy theories about Freemasons controlling governments or banks are entirely fictional, often stemming from historical anti-Masonic propaganda or a simple misunderstanding of the fraternity’s symbolic nature. The purpose of Freemasonry is to improve the individual man, with the belief that a world full of better men will naturally be a better world. Its work is on the self, not on society’s power structures.
How Does Someone Become a Freemason?
To become a Freemason, a man must, of his own free will, ask a Mason for a petition to join a lodge. Freemasonry does not recruit members. The tradition is that a man must seek out the fraternity himself, which is why the old saying is “to be one, ask one,” or “2B1ASK1.”
Once a man has expressed his interest, he will be given a petition to fill out. The lodge will then form an investigating committee to meet with him and his family, to ensure he is of good character and meets the qualifications for membership. After the committee reports back to the lodge, the members will vote by secret ballot on his admission.
What are the requirements for joining?
A candidate for Freemasonry must be a man of good reputation and character, joining of his own free will and accord. He must be of a minimum age, which varies by jurisdiction but is typically 18 or 21. Critically, he must also profess a belief in a Supreme Being.
The requirement of being of “good character” is taken very seriously. The investigation process is designed to confirm that the applicant is a law-abiding citizen who is well-regarded in his community. The fraternity is not a reform school, it seeks to take good men and provide them with the tools and fellowship to become even better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freemasonry a religion?
No, Freemasonry is a fraternity, not a religion. While a belief in a Supreme Being is required, the organization does not subscribe to any specific theology or dogma. It is open to men of all faiths and encourages them to be active in their own chosen church, synagogue, or mosque.
Are the Shriners Freemasons?
Yes, all Shriners are Master Masons, but not all Masons are Shriners. The Shriners, officially known as Shriners International, are an appendant body of Freemasonry. A man must first become a Master Mason in his local lodge before he is eligible to join the Shrine. The Shriners are best known for their colorful parades and their network of world-class children’s hospitals.
Who are some famous Freemasons?
Throughout history, men from all walks of life have been Freemasons. Famous members include U.S. Presidents like George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt, founding fathers like Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock, composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn, writers like Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain, and leaders like Winston Churchill.
Does Freemasonry cost money?
Yes, there are costs associated with being a Freemason, though they are typically modest. Members pay annual dues to their local lodge, which cover the operating costs of the lodge building and contributions to the Grand Lodge. There is also a one-time initiation fee for the three degrees. Charity is a key principle, and members are encouraged to donate what they can afford to Masonic and community philanthropies.
The journey you’ve begun by reading this article is just the first step. The square and compasses are not merely emblems, they are keys to a universe of symbolism and self-discovery. For the modern seeker curious about the path, and for the dedicated Brother seeking to travel further into the light, Esoteric Freemasons is your guide. We don’t just scratch the surface, we illuminate the profound esoteric philosophy that lies at the heart of the Craft. Your search for genuine Masonic knowledge ends here. Explore with us, and discover the light within.
