A Complete Guide to the Masonic Family of Organizations
When people hear the word “Freemasonry,” they often picture a single, monolithic group. They might imagine men in aprons meeting in secret, a universal brotherhood with one set of rules. The reality, however, is far more intricate, diverse, and fascinating. Freemasonry is not one organization but a vast and interconnected family of them, each with its own unique character, purpose, and path.
Think of it less like a single building and more like a sprawling university campus. There is a central, foundational college that everyone must attend first. After graduating, a world of specialized schools, clubs, and research institutes opens up, allowing members to pursue specific interests, whether they be history, philosophy, charity, or simply fellowship. This article is your map to that campus, a guide to the incredible variety of organizations that exist under the broad banner of Freemasonry.
What is the Foundation of All Masonic Organizations?
The absolute bedrock of all Freemasonry is the Craft Lodge, often called the Blue Lodge. This is the fundamental body where every single Freemason in the world begins his journey, and membership within it is a mandatory prerequisite for joining nearly every other Masonic organization.
The Blue Lodge is where a man petitions to become a Freemason and, if accepted, receives the first three degrees of the Craft. These are the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Each degree is a profound allegorical play in which the candidate is the central participant, learning essential moral and philosophical lessons through symbolism and ritual. It is upon achieving the Master Mason degree that a man is considered a full member of the fraternity and can explore the wider Masonic world.
Without the Blue Lodge, none of the other bodies on this list would exist. It is the heart, the soul, and the singular point of entry into the Masonic fraternity. Its focus is on building a man’s character, teaching him his duty to God, his country, his neighbor, and himself, and providing a unique brotherhood of support and trust.
What are the Two Main Paths After the Blue Lodge?
Once a man becomes a Master Mason, he can choose to further his Masonic education by joining what are known as appendant or concordant bodies. The two largest and most prominent of these are the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. They are not higher degrees in the sense of rank, but rather systems of additional degrees that expand upon the lessons and allegories of the Blue Lodge.
These two Rites represent distinct, though occasionally overlapping, paths of Masonic instruction. A Master Mason is free to join one, the other, both, or neither. The choice is entirely personal and depends on what a Mason is seeking from his continuing journey in the Craft.
What is the York Rite?
The York Rite is a collection of three distinct yet allied Masonic bodies that confer a total of nine additional degrees, plus one honorary order. This Rite is often described as being more historical and theological in its focus, directly continuing the allegorical story that begins in the Blue Lodge and bringing it to a dramatic and fulfilling conclusion.
The journey through the York Rite is sequential, meaning a Mason must progress through the bodies in a specific order. The first body is the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, which confers four degrees. These degrees are centered on the recovery of lost knowledge and the rebuilding of King Solomon’s Temple. They are considered by many to be the completion of the Master Mason degree.
Following the Chapter, a Mason can join the Council of Cryptic Masons, sometimes called the Cryptic Rite. It confers two degrees that delve into the preservation of the Temple’s greatest treasures, filling in crucial narrative gaps left between the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch degrees. Finally, the path culminates in the Commandery of Knights Templar, which confers three orders. The Commandery is uniquely Christian in its character and symbolism, with its teachings based on the virtues and duties of the historical Christian knights.
What is the Scottish Rite?
The Scottish Rite is a Masonic system that confers an additional 29 degrees, numbered from the 4th to the 32nd, plus an honorary 33rd degree. It is often described as a “university of Freemasonry,” as its degrees systematically explore a vast range of philosophy, history, ethics, and comparative religion, all through the lens of dramatic ritual.
Unlike the York Rite’s sequential progression, the Scottish Rite often confers its degrees in large groups during reunions, which can be multi-day events. The degrees are organized into four distinct bodies. The Lodge of Perfection confers the 4th through 14th degrees, which expand on the Blue Lodge’s themes of morality and virtue. The Council of Princes of Jerusalem confers the 15th and 16th degrees, which focus on themes of justice and rebuilding civilization.
Next, the Chapter of Rose Croix confers the 17th and 18th degrees, which explore profound religious and philosophical concepts about love, sacrifice, and new beginnings. Finally, the Consistory confers the 19th through 32nd degrees. This final set of degrees examines complex questions about the relationship between the individual and the state, the nature of power, and the triumph of the human spirit. The Scottish Rite is known for its elaborate and theatrical degree presentations, using full sets, costumes, and lighting to convey its powerful lessons.
What are the Masonic Groups Focused on Fun and Philanthropy?
While the Rites focus on education and philosophy, many Master Masons also seek organizations dedicated to fellowship, fun, and large-scale charitable work. These bodies provide a different kind of Masonic experience, one that is often more public-facing and centered on community and camaraderie.
These organizations are not part of the degree systems of the Rites but exist as separate clubs or fraternities for Master Masons. They allow members from different lodges and Rites to come together in a more relaxed social setting, all while contributing to significant philanthropic causes.
Who are the Shriners?
The Shriners, officially known as Shriners International, are arguably the most visible of all Masonic-related organizations. They are a fraternity for Master Masons best known for their distinctive red fezzes, colorful parade units, and unwavering commitment to their official philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Founded as a fun and fellowship order, the Shriners have a playful, Arabian theme that informs their titles and local temple names. While they are famous for their circuses and parades, their true purpose is found in their network of 22 specialized hospitals across North America. These hospitals provide expert pediatric care for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, completely free of charge to the patients and their families.
Who is the Grotto?
The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, more commonly known as the Grotto, is another organization for Master Masons that prioritizes fun and "Good Fellowship." Their motto is "Fun and Frolic," and their meetings and events are designed to be lighthearted and entertaining, providing a place for Masons to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
While fun is their primary goal, the Grotto also has a serious philanthropic mission. The Grottoes of North America support dental care for children with special needs through their "Humanitarian Foundation." This program helps families afford necessary dental treatment for children with conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and intellectual disabilities, which often require specialized and expensive dental services.
Who are the Tall Cedars of Lebanon?
The Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America is a social and philanthropic organization open to Master Masons. Similar to the Shriners and the Grotto, its core purpose is to provide a venue for fun, fellowship, and community service outside the formal structure of the Blue Lodge.
Members of the Tall Cedars are easily recognizable by their distinctive pyramid-shaped hats. They often participate in parades and community events, promoting their message of friendship and charity. The official philanthropy of the Tall Cedars is dedicated to supporting research into muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases, contributing significantly to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Are There Masonic Organizations for Women and Youth?
Yes, the Masonic family extends beyond organizations exclusively for men. There are several prominent groups for women with Masonic connections, as well as a number of highly respected organizations dedicated to the development of young people.
These bodies are not part of Freemasonry itself, but are sponsored and supported by Masonic lodges and their members. They share the core Masonic values of character-building, self-improvement, and service to the community, providing a positive and structured environment for their members to grow and thrive.
What is the Order of the Eastern Star?
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women can belong. Membership is open to Master Masons in good standing and their female relatives, such as wives, widows, daughters, sisters, and mothers.
The organization’s teachings are based on five heroic female figures from the Bible, each of whom exemplifies a core virtue of the order. The Eastern Star provides a social and charitable outlet for its members, with a strong focus on supporting local communities and national charities. It offers a unique environment where families can share in the fraternal experience, working together for common goals.
What are the Masonic Youth Groups?
There are three primary youth organizations sponsored by the Masonic fraternity, each with a unique structure but a shared mission of fostering leadership, character, and civic responsibility. These groups provide young people with invaluable life skills in a safe and supportive setting.
DeMolay International is an organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21. It is named for Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and is based on the seven cardinal virtues of filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism.
Job’s Daughters International is an organization for girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 20 who have a Masonic heritage. Its lessons are based on the Book of Job, emphasizing patience, faith, and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is open to any girl between the ages of 11 and 20, regardless of Masonic connection, though sponsorship by a Mason or Eastern Star member is often required. Its teachings are based on lessons from the colors of the rainbow, focusing on service to humanity.
What About Prince Hall Freemasonry?
Prince Hall Freemasonry is a historically significant and vital branch of the fraternity. It was founded in 1784 by Prince Hall, a prominent African American abolitionist in Boston, after he and 14 other free black men were denied admission to the established colonial lodges due to the racial prejudices of the era.
They obtained a charter from the Grand Lodge of England and established African Lodge No. 459, which eventually became the first Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Today, Prince Hall Freemasonry thrives as an independent and parallel system of Freemasonry, predominantly composed of African Americans. It has its own Grand Lodges in most states and jurisdictions, as well as its own appendant bodies, including the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriners (known as the A.E.A.O.N.M.S.), and orders for women and youth.
For many years, mainstream and Prince Hall Grand Lodges operated without formal relations. However, in recent decades, this has changed dramatically. The vast majority of mainstream Grand Lodges in the United States now formally recognize their Prince Hall counterparts as regular, legitimate, and authentic Freemasonry, fostering a spirit of mutual respect and brotherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to join all these organizations?
No, absolutely not. After becoming a Master Mason in the Blue Lodge, a man has fulfilled the primary requirements of Freemasonry. Joining any additional body, whether it be the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriners, or any other group, is a completely personal choice based on individual interests, time, and financial resources.
Is one organization better than another?
No single organization is "better" than another, they simply offer different experiences. The Blue Lodge is the essential foundation. The Rites offer deep philosophical education, while groups like the Shriners and Grotto focus more on social fellowship and philanthropy. The best organization is the one that best fits a Mason’s personal goals for his Masonic journey.
How much does it cost to be a member?
Costs vary significantly between different organizations and local chapters. Every Masonic body, from the Blue Lodge to the Shriners, requires an initiation fee and annual dues to cover operating expenses, charitable contributions, and building maintenance. A man considering joining multiple bodies should be mindful of the cumulative financial commitment.
Can you be a member of both the York and Scottish Rites?
Yes, and many Masons are. The York Rite and Scottish Rite are not mutually exclusive. A Master Mason can join both, and many do so to gain a more complete and well-rounded Masonic education, appreciating the different styles and lessons that each Rite offers.
The Masonic family is a vast and intricate tapestry of symbolism and philosophy. To truly understand its profound lessons, you must look deeper. Join Esoteric Freemasons on a journey to illuminate the hidden wisdom and authentic history of the Craft, and discover the true light of Masonic knowledge.
