Supreme Being
04-15-2008, 08:28 PM
The rank structure of the real life Freemasonry is measured in degrees. Titles differ between the Scottish and York Rites and they go right up to 33°.
The rank and naming structure will be much the same for the GLOF, however we use a mixture of titles from the different orders and several degrees have been removed to avoid confussion with Government titles and thus have been renumbered to 24°.
Craft Masonry
1 Entered Apprentice, 0-49 posts
2 Fellow Craft, 50-99 posts
3 Master Mason, 100-149 posts
4 Secret Master, 150-199 posts
Blue Lodge
5 Perfect Master, 200-299 posts
Intimate Secretary
Provost and Judge
Intendent of the Building
Master Elect of Nine
Illustrious Elect of Fifteen
6 Sublime Master Elected, 300-399 posts
Grand Master Architect
7 Royal Arch of Solomon, 400-499 posts
Grand Elect Mason
Lodge of Perfection
8 Knight of the Sword, 500-599 posts
9 Prince of Jerusalem, 600-749 posts
10 Knight of the East and West, 750-899 posts
Chapter of Rose Croix
11 Knight of the Rose Croix, 900-1049 posts
Grand Pontiff
Master ad Vitam
12 Patriarch Noachite, 1050-1199 posts
13 Prince of Libanus, 1200-1399 posts
Consistory of the Royal Secret
14 Chief of the Tabernacle, 1400-1599 posts
15 Prince of The Tabernacle, 1600-1799 posts
16 Knight of the Brazen Serpent, 1800-1999 posts
17 Prince of Mercy, 2000-2499 posts
18 Commander of the Temple, 2500-2999 posts
19 Knight of the Sun, 3000-3499 posts
20 Knight of St. Andrew, 3500-3999 posts
21 Grand Elect Knight of Kadosh, 4000-4499 posts
22 Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander, 4500-4999 posts
23 Sublime Prince of The Royal Secret, 5000+ posts
24 Sovereign Grand Inspector General - This Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon Freemasons of the 32° in recognition of distinguished Masonic or Public service. It cannot be applied for, but is conferred by invitation only.
What the Degrees mean
1° Entered Apprentice. This degree begins a members journey into freemasonry and represents youth.
2° Fellowcraft. This degree symbolizes adulthood and represents work.
3° Master Mason. This degree represents old age and relates to wisdom.
4° Secret Master. In this degree, the dignity of fidelity and integrity is demonstrated.
5° Perfect Maser. This degree teaches that unworthy ambitions are corruptive and destructive to those who forget thier duty to family, country and God.
Intimate Secretary. This degree shows that a man who is trustworthy can survive false accusations.
Provost and Judge. This degree teaches that Truth prevails, and Justice triumphs, tempered with mercy and forgiveness.
Intendent of the Building. This degree symbolizes that the personal goal of title and position can cause strife.
Master Elect of Nine. This degree teaches that Truth often emerges from the clash of opinions, and to look at life and duty and God through the minds of others who do not share the same religious faith.
Master Elect of Fifteen. This degree uses the symbolism of Solomon's life and that his pride prevented him from asking for forgiveness.
6° Sublime Master Elected. This degree emphasizes virtue of good citizenship and that a member should ever be loyal, brave and courageous in the conviction that right will eventually prevail.
Grand Master Architect. This degree teaches that the quality of Mercy through a spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart will enable one to overlook injuries, or to treat the offender better than they deserve.
7° Master of the Ninth Arch or Royal Arch of Solomon. This degree portrays the history and legend of Enoch and prepares the candidate for the 8th degree.
Grand Elect Mason. This degree describes the constant endeavor of perfection of character.
8° Knight of the Sword. This degree shows the important lesson by the example of Zerubbabel, of loyalty to conviction, fidelity to duty, and devotion to Truth.
9° Prince of Jerusalem. This degree is a drama of the rewards found in the lessons of the 8 degree.
10° Knight of the East and West. This degree teaches that one should learn from, and avoid repeating, the errors of the past.
11° Knight of the Rose Croix. In this degree, the principles of tolerance are affirmed and grants to each man the right to answer, in his own way, his convictions.
Grand Pontiff. This degree proclaims the spiritual unity of all who believe in God and cherish the hope of immortality, no matter what religious leader they follow or what creed they profess. It is concerned primarily with the perennial conflict between light and darkness, good and evil, God and Satan.
Master ad Vitam. This degree is a drama of the American spirit confronting the challenge of disloyalty and treason. Masonic principles and leadership are subjected to a crucial test. The degree demonstrates the Masonic condemnation of all who conspire against the security of the nation and the happiness of our people.
12° Patriarch Noachite. This degree teaches that Freemasonry is not a shield for evil doing and that justice is one of the chief supports of our fraternity.
13° Prince of Libanus. In this degree, the dignity of labor is demonstrated. It is no curse, but a privilege, for man to be allowed to earn his sustenance by work. Idleness, not labor, is disgraceful.
14° Chief of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that those with faith in God and love for their fellow man will make great sacrifices to help others.
15° Prince of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that a mutual belief in a Supreme Power should bind all men together in a world-wide brotherhood.
16° Knight of the Brazen Serpent. This degree teaches that there are desert stretches in every individual life in the history of every nation, with a resultant breakdown of discipline and loss of faith. This degree is a clarion call to faith-in ourselves, in each other, and in God.
17° Prince of Mercy. This degree teaches the quality of mercy; that it is a spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart which dispose us to overlook injuries and to treat an offender better than he deserves.
18° Commander of the Temple. This degree teaches that Scottish Rite Freemasonry believes in the concept of a free church in a free state, each supreme in its own sphere, neither seeking to dominate the other, but cooperating for the common good.
19° Knight of the Sun. This degree using the symbolism of the tools and implements of architecture teaches that by building high moral character among its adherents, Freemasonry may advance man's determined quest for the achievement of unity and good will throughout the world.
20° Knight of St. Andrew. This degree emphasizes the Masonic teachings of equality and toleration. We are reminded that no one man, no one Church, no one religion, has a monopoly of truth; that while we must be true and faithful to our own convictions, we must respect the opinions of others.
21° Grand Elect Knight Kadosh. This degree sets forth the tests and ceremonies that symbolize the experiences we must undergo in the building of excellence in character.
22° Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander. This degree teaches that we should give every man the benefit of innocence and purity of intentions. He who would judge others must first judge himself.
23° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. This degree describes the victory of the spiritual over the human in man and the conquest of appetites and passions by moral sense and reason. The exemplar represents every Freemason eager to serve humanity but caught between self-interest and the call of duty. Duty often requires sacrifice, sometimes the supreme sacrifice.
The rank and naming structure will be much the same for the GLOF, however we use a mixture of titles from the different orders and several degrees have been removed to avoid confussion with Government titles and thus have been renumbered to 24°.
Craft Masonry
1 Entered Apprentice, 0-49 posts
2 Fellow Craft, 50-99 posts
3 Master Mason, 100-149 posts
4 Secret Master, 150-199 posts
Blue Lodge
5 Perfect Master, 200-299 posts
Intimate Secretary
Provost and Judge
Intendent of the Building
Master Elect of Nine
Illustrious Elect of Fifteen
6 Sublime Master Elected, 300-399 posts
Grand Master Architect
7 Royal Arch of Solomon, 400-499 posts
Grand Elect Mason
Lodge of Perfection
8 Knight of the Sword, 500-599 posts
9 Prince of Jerusalem, 600-749 posts
10 Knight of the East and West, 750-899 posts
Chapter of Rose Croix
11 Knight of the Rose Croix, 900-1049 posts
Grand Pontiff
Master ad Vitam
12 Patriarch Noachite, 1050-1199 posts
13 Prince of Libanus, 1200-1399 posts
Consistory of the Royal Secret
14 Chief of the Tabernacle, 1400-1599 posts
15 Prince of The Tabernacle, 1600-1799 posts
16 Knight of the Brazen Serpent, 1800-1999 posts
17 Prince of Mercy, 2000-2499 posts
18 Commander of the Temple, 2500-2999 posts
19 Knight of the Sun, 3000-3499 posts
20 Knight of St. Andrew, 3500-3999 posts
21 Grand Elect Knight of Kadosh, 4000-4499 posts
22 Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander, 4500-4999 posts
23 Sublime Prince of The Royal Secret, 5000+ posts
24 Sovereign Grand Inspector General - This Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon Freemasons of the 32° in recognition of distinguished Masonic or Public service. It cannot be applied for, but is conferred by invitation only.
What the Degrees mean
1° Entered Apprentice. This degree begins a members journey into freemasonry and represents youth.
2° Fellowcraft. This degree symbolizes adulthood and represents work.
3° Master Mason. This degree represents old age and relates to wisdom.
4° Secret Master. In this degree, the dignity of fidelity and integrity is demonstrated.
5° Perfect Maser. This degree teaches that unworthy ambitions are corruptive and destructive to those who forget thier duty to family, country and God.
Intimate Secretary. This degree shows that a man who is trustworthy can survive false accusations.
Provost and Judge. This degree teaches that Truth prevails, and Justice triumphs, tempered with mercy and forgiveness.
Intendent of the Building. This degree symbolizes that the personal goal of title and position can cause strife.
Master Elect of Nine. This degree teaches that Truth often emerges from the clash of opinions, and to look at life and duty and God through the minds of others who do not share the same religious faith.
Master Elect of Fifteen. This degree uses the symbolism of Solomon's life and that his pride prevented him from asking for forgiveness.
6° Sublime Master Elected. This degree emphasizes virtue of good citizenship and that a member should ever be loyal, brave and courageous in the conviction that right will eventually prevail.
Grand Master Architect. This degree teaches that the quality of Mercy through a spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart will enable one to overlook injuries, or to treat the offender better than they deserve.
7° Master of the Ninth Arch or Royal Arch of Solomon. This degree portrays the history and legend of Enoch and prepares the candidate for the 8th degree.
Grand Elect Mason. This degree describes the constant endeavor of perfection of character.
8° Knight of the Sword. This degree shows the important lesson by the example of Zerubbabel, of loyalty to conviction, fidelity to duty, and devotion to Truth.
9° Prince of Jerusalem. This degree is a drama of the rewards found in the lessons of the 8 degree.
10° Knight of the East and West. This degree teaches that one should learn from, and avoid repeating, the errors of the past.
11° Knight of the Rose Croix. In this degree, the principles of tolerance are affirmed and grants to each man the right to answer, in his own way, his convictions.
Grand Pontiff. This degree proclaims the spiritual unity of all who believe in God and cherish the hope of immortality, no matter what religious leader they follow or what creed they profess. It is concerned primarily with the perennial conflict between light and darkness, good and evil, God and Satan.
Master ad Vitam. This degree is a drama of the American spirit confronting the challenge of disloyalty and treason. Masonic principles and leadership are subjected to a crucial test. The degree demonstrates the Masonic condemnation of all who conspire against the security of the nation and the happiness of our people.
12° Patriarch Noachite. This degree teaches that Freemasonry is not a shield for evil doing and that justice is one of the chief supports of our fraternity.
13° Prince of Libanus. In this degree, the dignity of labor is demonstrated. It is no curse, but a privilege, for man to be allowed to earn his sustenance by work. Idleness, not labor, is disgraceful.
14° Chief of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that those with faith in God and love for their fellow man will make great sacrifices to help others.
15° Prince of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that a mutual belief in a Supreme Power should bind all men together in a world-wide brotherhood.
16° Knight of the Brazen Serpent. This degree teaches that there are desert stretches in every individual life in the history of every nation, with a resultant breakdown of discipline and loss of faith. This degree is a clarion call to faith-in ourselves, in each other, and in God.
17° Prince of Mercy. This degree teaches the quality of mercy; that it is a spirit of compassion and a tenderness of heart which dispose us to overlook injuries and to treat an offender better than he deserves.
18° Commander of the Temple. This degree teaches that Scottish Rite Freemasonry believes in the concept of a free church in a free state, each supreme in its own sphere, neither seeking to dominate the other, but cooperating for the common good.
19° Knight of the Sun. This degree using the symbolism of the tools and implements of architecture teaches that by building high moral character among its adherents, Freemasonry may advance man's determined quest for the achievement of unity and good will throughout the world.
20° Knight of St. Andrew. This degree emphasizes the Masonic teachings of equality and toleration. We are reminded that no one man, no one Church, no one religion, has a monopoly of truth; that while we must be true and faithful to our own convictions, we must respect the opinions of others.
21° Grand Elect Knight Kadosh. This degree sets forth the tests and ceremonies that symbolize the experiences we must undergo in the building of excellence in character.
22° Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander. This degree teaches that we should give every man the benefit of innocence and purity of intentions. He who would judge others must first judge himself.
23° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. This degree describes the victory of the spiritual over the human in man and the conquest of appetites and passions by moral sense and reason. The exemplar represents every Freemason eager to serve humanity but caught between self-interest and the call of duty. Duty often requires sacrifice, sometimes the supreme sacrifice.