A Guide to the Many Houses of Freemasonry
Freemasonry is not a single, monolithic entity. It is a vast and vibrant ecosystem, a family of interconnected organizations, each with its own unique character, purpose, and path. To an outsider, this complex web of groups can seem bewildering, a confusing alphabet soup of Rites, Orders, and Bodies. But for the man who has knocked on the door of the Craft, this diversity represents a world of opportunity, a lifetime of potential discovery. Understanding these groups is the key to unlocking the true breadth and depth of the Masonic experience.
What is a Masonic Lodge?
A Masonic Lodge, often called a Blue Lodge, is the fundamental organizational unit of Freemasonry. It is the local, foundational group where every Freemason begins his journey and which remains his home base throughout his Masonic life. This is where a man petitions to join, where he is interviewed, and where, if accepted, he will experience the three core degrees of the fraternity.
Think of the Blue Lodge as the bedrock upon which the entire Masonic structure is built. It is here that members learn the most essential lessons of the Craft through the symbolic dramas of the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason degrees. Without membership in good standing in a Blue Lodge, a man cannot join any of the other Masonic organizations. It is the beginning, the middle, and the end of his identity as a Mason.
These lodges are chartered and governed by a Grand Lodge. They meet regularly, conduct their ritualistic degree work, manage their own finances, and plan charitable and social events for their members and the local community. It is a true fraternity, a brotherhood of men from all walks of life meeting on the level.
What is a Grand Lodge?
A Grand Lodge is the sovereign governing body for Freemasonry within a specific geographical jurisdiction, such as a state in the US, a province in Canada, or an entire country. It holds the ultimate authority over all the individual Blue Lodges operating within its territory. No Blue Lodge can exist without a charter granted by its respective Grand Lodge.
The primary function of a Grand Lodge is to ensure uniformity and preserve the ancient landmarks, rules, and regulations of the fraternity. It sets the standards for ritual, establishes the requirements for membership, and serves as the final arbiter in any disputes. A Grand Lodge is led by a Grand Master, who is elected by representatives from all the lodges in that jurisdiction and serves as the chief executive officer of the fraternity for his term.
Furthermore, the concept of "recognition" is central to how Grand Lodges interact. For two Grand Lodges to be "in amity," they must mutually recognize each other as legitimate and regular. This recognition allows their members to visit each other’s lodges and interact as brothers, creating a global network of Masonic fellowship.
Are There Different Types of Freemasonry?
Yes, the global Masonic family is broadly divided into two main branches, based on differing interpretations of core principles. The two major branches are known as Regular Freemasonry and Continental, or Liberal, Freemasonry.
Regular Freemasonry, which includes the United Grand Lodge of England and the majority of Grand Lodges in the United States and the Commonwealth, insists on a set of core tenets for recognition. The most critical of these are a mandatory belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul, the presence of a volume of sacred law (like the Bible, Torah, or Quran) in the lodge, and the exclusion of women from membership. This branch also strictly forbids the discussion of politics and religion within the lodge.
Continental Freemasonry, which is most prominent in France, Belgium, and parts of Latin America, takes a more liberal approach. The Grand Orient de France, a leading body in this tradition, removed the requirement of belief in a Supreme Being in 1877, championing absolute freedom of conscience. Many, though not all, bodies in this tradition also admit women, either in women-only lodges or in co-ed lodges, and may permit political discussions. Because of these differences, Regular and Continental Masonic bodies do not typically recognize each other or allow intervisitation.
What are Appendant and Concordant Bodies?
Appendant and Concordant Bodies are optional, specialized Masonic organizations that a Master Mason can choose to join after completing his first three degrees in the Blue Lodge. These groups are not "higher" degrees in terms of rank, but rather offer further degrees that expand upon and explore the themes and symbols introduced in the Blue Lodge. They offer a path for Masons who wish to delve deeper into specific aspects of Masonic philosophy, history, or service.
Think of the Blue Lodge as your essential undergraduate education in Freemasonry. It provides you with the foundational knowledge and makes you a full member of the Craft. The Appendant Bodies are like graduate schools or specialized continuing education courses. They allow you to pursue a particular field of interest, whether it be the chivalric traditions of the Knights Templar, the philosophical lessons of the Scottish Rite, or the philanthropic mission of the Shriners.
These bodies are called "appendant" because their membership is appended to, or dependent on, a Mason’s continued good standing in his Blue Lodge. If a Mason ceases to be a member of his Blue Lodge, he automatically loses his membership in all appendant organizations. They are an extension of the Masonic journey, not a replacement for its foundation.
What is the York Rite?
The York Rite is one of the two most prominent Appendant Body systems in Freemasonry, particularly in North America. It is a series of degrees that are thematically connected to the Blue Lodge degrees, often said to complete the stories and allegories that are left unfinished in the Master Mason degree. The York Rite is structured as three distinct but cooperative bodies, each conferring its own set of degrees.
The journey through the York Rite is often seen as a more direct continuation of the symbolism of ancient craft Masonry. Its degrees are rooted in Judeo-Christian history and tradition, exploring themes of loss, recovery, and redemption through powerful allegorical ceremonies. A Mason can choose to join one, two, or all three of the York Rite bodies.
The first body is the Royal Arch Chapter, which confers four degrees. Its capstone, the Royal Arch degree, is considered by many to be the completion of the Master Mason degree, as it focuses on the recovery of that which was lost in the Blue Lodge narrative.
The second body is the Council of Cryptic Masons, also known as the Cryptic Rite. It confers two degrees that fill in crucial historical and symbolic gaps between the Master Mason degree and the Royal Arch degree. Its lessons center on the preservation of sacred wisdom.
The third and final body is the Commandery of Knights Templar. This is an explicitly Christian-oriented organization within Freemasonry, and its members must profess a belief in Christianity. Its three degrees, or Orders, are based on the traditions of the medieval military-monastic orders and focus on chivalric virtues, self-sacrifice, and the defense of the Christian faith. The Commandery is known for its striking uniforms and public ceremonies.
What is the Scottish Rite?
The Scottish Rite is the other major Appendant Body system and is often described as the "university of Freemasonry." It is a comprehensive system of 29 degrees, numbered from the 4th to the 32nd, plus an honorary 33rd degree awarded for outstanding service. These degrees are not worked in full but are communicated through dramatic allegorical plays and lectures that explore a vast range of philosophical, ethical, historical, and religious subjects.
While the York Rite focuses on completing the narrative of the Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite focuses on expanding its philosophical and moral teachings. Its degrees draw from a multitude of world traditions and wisdom schools to investigate the nature of divinity, humanity, and society. The goal is to prompt the Mason to think critically about his own values and his place in the world.
In the United States, the Scottish Rite is divided into two independent jurisdictions. The Southern Jurisdiction, with its headquarte