Steps (Degrees)
Three Degrees of Freemasonry
Freemasonry, one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world, operates through a system of degrees that symbolize stages of personal development and moral enlightenment. The structure of Freemasonry is built around three primary degrees, which are foundational to Masonic teachings and rituals:
- Entered Apprentice:
- This is the first degree and the entry point for new members into Freemasonry. An Entered Apprentice is introduced to the basic tenets of the Craft, focusing on self-improvement, morality, and the duties towards God, family, neighbor, and self. The degree teaches humility, obedience, and the importance of learning and labor, symbolized by the working tools like the 24-inch gauge and the common gavel.
- Fellow Craft:
- The second degree represents the stage of advancement where the Freemason learns to expand his knowledge and skills. The Fellow Craft degree delves deeper into the liberal arts and sciences, symbolizing the journey from youth to manhood. Here, the mason is encouraged to seek further light, symbolized by tools like the square, level, and plumb, which stand for morality, equality, and uprightness.
- Master Mason:
- The third and final degree of the basic Blue Lodge system, the Master Mason degree, is where the candidate reaches the pinnacle of symbolic Masonry. It emphasizes mastery over oneself, the craft, and the profound lessons of life, death, and resurrection. This degree introduces the story of Hiram Abiff, teaching lessons of integrity, secrecy, and the immortality of the soul. The working tools include the trowel, which symbolizes the spreading of brotherly love and cementing unity among Masons.
These three degrees are not just steps in a hierarchical structure but are seen as allegorical journeys through life's moral and philosophical landscapes. Each degree comes with its own set of rituals, symbols, and lessons, designed to foster personal growth, ethical living, and community service. Together, they form the core of Masonic philosophy, promoting the ideals of brotherly love, relief (charity), and truth. Freemasonry, through these degrees, seeks to transform good men into better men by offering a framework for self-reflection and moral education.
There are 3° in Freemasonry