Why do masons have 33 degrees

The status of any Freemason can be identified by his degree, which represents the steps he has taken from the lower ranks up to the highest degree of Freemason knowledge. Nowadays, there are many different kinds of degree systems all around the world, including symbolic degrees, chapter degrees, historic degrees, and more. The standard, widely accepted Masonic rite has three degrees. The standard three Masonic degrees come from the Blue Lodges of Freemasonry.

True to Freemason origins, the concept and names of each degree were adapted from middle age craft guilds. The Entered Apprentice degree poses an introduction to the Masonic order in which candidates learn about the rituals, symbolism, and beliefs in Masonry. Among other things, members learn the language of Freemasonry, which topics are not to be discussed in the lodge, and the actual responsibilities of the lodge.

This first degree represents youthfulness and a time of learning. An Entered Apprentice is entrusted with certain Masonic secrets around morality and ethics, which he can communicate only in accordance with Masonic law.

Members of the Fellowcraft degree pursue a more advanced search for understanding in philosophy, intellectual enlightenment, and wisdom.

This degree represents the member reaching manhood. The third degree represents maturity, with advanced wisdom and knowledge. Master Masons are taught about virtue and morality, along with the duties and tools of a Master Mason.

Forgiveness means a spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart which dispose a person not just to overlook the opportunity for revenge, but to cease to feel enmity or resentment toward an offender. The lesson taught in the Thirteenth Degree is that the true and faithful Brother should not be deterred by difficulties and dangers, however great, from pressing onward toward Perfection. The Fourteenth Degree, the final and climactic lesson of the Lodge of Perfection is revealed, a belief in the one living and true God and a deep reverence for His Holy Name.

It is a profoundly religious degree, not promoting a particular doctrine, but encouraging each of us to worship God at an altar of our individual choice. It is expressive of the deep spiritual roots of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and of our constant endeavor to attain that perfection of character embodied in the concept of a loving Heavenly Father.

The Degrees of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem are known as the historical degrees. They take place during the rebuilding of Jerusalem by Zerubbabel follow the release of the Israelites from Babylon. In the year B. Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylonia in B. Darius I continued this generous policy and gave substantial aid to the returning exiles. Both Cyrus and Darius were disciples of Zoroaster. They believed in one God, who demands righteousness from his worshipers.

These religious beliefs, similar in many respects to the faith of the Jews, motivated their considerate attitude toward the captive people. Inspired by such leaders as Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah, groups of Jews endured the hardships of the long journey, and joined with their loyal brethren in Jerusalem to rebuild the Holy City and the Temple of their God. The second Temple was completed and dedicated in B.

In the Allegories of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Degrees, we are taught, by the example of Zerubbabel, the important lessons of loyalty to conviction, fidelity to duty and devotion to Truth. They are complex, as they attempt to invest the candidate with a deeper understanding of religion, philosophy, ethics, and history. The intellectual challenges presented in these degrees can take years to master. The attitudes of the three factions of the Jewish religious population reflect the conflicts which continue, even today, as we try to understand our places in the plan of the Grand Architect.

This degree teaches that we must seek truth in our path through life, and that we should learn from, and avoid repeating, the errors of the past. The Rose Croix Degree teaches that the new Temple is in the heart of man where God is worshiped in spirit and in truth.

The new Law is a law of love which all men everywhere may understand and practice. The Word is found and the Sealed Book is opened. The Rose Croix Degree bears the impress of its deeply religious background. It is not concerned with theological or ecclesiastical controversies.

It is not dogmatic. It uses events from the life of Jesus of Nazareth to teach the lesson of this degree. It affirms the broad principles of universality and tolerance — principles which were confirmed by the Nazarene as He taught both Jew and Gentile that they were children of the same Heavenly Father. The degrees conferred in the Consistory are known as the traditional and the chivalric degrees.

The traditional degrees are those from 19 to The chivalric degrees are the 30th to the 32nd. You decide how these concepts of God and integrity are important not only in this drama, but also to your life. The first thing to know is that in order to get to the 33rd degree, one first must get the 3rd, and highest degree in Masonry, which is the Master Mason. And no, one does not need to travel back to Scotland to attain the 33rd degree.

That is a common misconception among people. Degrees in the Scottish Rite have titles, similar as the standard degrees. For example, the 4th degree, called Master Traveler emphasizes duty and the necessity for secrecy in all confidential relationships. There are two branches in Masonry nowadays where people can proceed after completing the third, and final degree of the Blue Lodge Masonry.

That third degree is the highest rank one can attain. The second branch is the York Rite. Many people think that the Scottish Rite actually originates from Scotland, but that is not the case. The first reference of the rite is actually found in French records. The Rite actually has its establishment in America, in South Carolina.

The first official recognition of the Scottish Rite came in in South Carolina. The Northern jurisdiction of the rite covers 15 states east of Mississippi River. According to some estimates, there are more than , members of the Scottish Rite in the world.

Out of those, only around 4, have attained the 33rd degree. And the most important aspect is that members of the rite share the belief that there is no higher degree than the Master Mason, or the third degree by the Blue Lodge Masonry. As mentioned, the second branch in which Masons can continue after attaining the 3rd degree is the York Rite.

There are no 33 degrees here. The York rite consists of 10 more degrees, which are considered concordant to the original three degrees. Similar as with the Scottish rite, the 10 additional degrees amplify and elaborate the first three.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people who attain the 33rd rule, are actually service of Lucifer, and they want to rule the world with their knowledge. But to masons, the 33rd degree being evil is one of the most hilarious indictments against their fraternity.