Freemasonry
is a brotherhood of men committed to lives of honor, integrity, and character.
The men of Freemasonry are on a journey of self discovery. For hundreds of
years, Freemasons, with deep brotherly support, have worked to become the best
version of themselves while working to better their communities and our world.
Why should I become a Freemason?
Becoming
a Freemason can help you achieve great personal reward by guiding you to build
your moral character and connection to your community. Freemasonry is built
upon the core tenets of Brotherly love and affection, relief, and truth.
Through a commitment to these values, all Freemasons share the common goal of
making good men better. In addition to self improvement, a Freemason is a man
eager to be part of something bigger than himself, with a reverence for
history, compassion in his heart, and a desire to create a better future.
Who can be a Freemason?
Freemasonry
welcomes men of every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and
opinion. However, to join Freemasonry, one must meet the following
qualifications:
- Be a male at least 18 years
of age (the minimum age varies in some jurisdictions, sometimes up to 21)
- Believe in the existence of
a Supreme Being, although Freemasonry is not concerned with theological
distinctions or particular religious beliefs
- Be of good moral character
- Be motivated to join for
reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit
- Your decision to apply is
based on your own “free will and accord”
- Be prompted by a favorable
opinion of Freemasonry
- Be desirous of earning
knowledge and willing to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the
fraternity
How do I apply to become a Freemason?
The
process of applying to become a Freemason can be expedited a few different
ways. You can contact your state’s Grand Lodge (the overarching Masonic
governing body in your state where you live), find a Masonic lodge in your area
that you wish to join, or reach out to a man who is a Freemason and ask for his
help. You will submit a petition for membership. Members at the lodge will read
your petition and form a small committee to meet with you to determine your qualifications
and answer any questions you have regarding Freemasonry.
To take
the first step, get in touch with a Freemason representative in
your area.
What is a Masonic lodge?
In
Freemasonry, the lodge means two things. It refers to a group of Masons coming
together in fellowship, and, at the same time, refers to the room or building
in which they meet.
There are
thousands of Masonic lodges in the U.S. and many more worldwide. The lodge
itself typically consists of a lodge room where official business and Masonic
rituals are conducted, as well as several additional areas for Brothers to
share meals, spend time together, host public and private events, and more.
Learn
more about the social and charitable activities that take place in Masonic
lodges.
How can I find a Masonic lodge near me?
There are
Masonic lodges in or near virtually every city and town in the United States.
To find a lodge near you, visit our Get in
Touch page and we will connect you with a Grand Lodge in your area.
The Grand Lodge in your state will help you find a local lodge.
What are the degrees of Freemasonry?
There are
three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master
Mason. These degrees are the three ceremonial stages that a man must complete
to become a full member of the Masonic fraternity. Collectively, these degrees
are known as the symbolic lodge (often called blue lodge).
The
Masonic degrees are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to
educate Medieval craftsmen. At each educational stage, a craftsman was required
to achieve proficiency before moving to the next stage. Symbolically, the
degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and
age. By advancing through the degrees, a Freemason learns the moral and ethical
lessons of the Masonic rite.
Learn
more about the Masonic degrees.
What is the highest rank in Freemasonry?
The
highest rank in Freemasonry is the third degree, that of the Master Mason.
While some Masonic organizations offer additional degrees that explore the
teachings of Freemasonry in further depth, those degrees are not considered to
be higher than the symbolic lodge degrees.
How do I become a Master Mason?
To become
a Master Mason, you must complete the three degrees of the symbolic lodge. Once
you have completed the third degree, you become a full member of Freemasonry,
enjoying both the rights and responsibilities of membership.
To begin
your journey to becoming a Master Mason, submit a petition for membership at a
Masonic lodge in your area. Visit our Get in
Touch page to take the first step.
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Freemasonry
is not a religion or a substitute for religion. Freemasonry does not intrude on
the religious beliefs of its members, although it does require that all members
profess a belief in a Supreme Being. Men of all faiths are represented in
Freemasonry. Religion is not discussed at lodge meetings.
Why does Freemasonry use symbols?
Freemasonry
is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Symbols
allow people to communicate quickly, and to transcend language barriers. When
you see a green light or a circle with a line through it, for example, you know
what it means. Likewise, Masons use metaphors from geometry and the
architecture of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge,
ethics, and leadership skills.
To reflect
their heritage, Masons wear aprons while in lodge, at certain public events,
and at funerals to demonstrate their pride in the fraternity, and their lineage
from stonemasons, who historically carried their tools in leather aprons. The
square and compasses are the most widely known symbol of Masonry: When you see
the symbol on a building, you know that Masons meet there.
Where did Freemasonry come from?
The exact
origins of Freemasonry remain lost in time. The order is thought to have arisen
from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral
builders in the Middle Ages. Certain Masonic documents actually trace the
sciences of geometry and masonry to the time of ancient Egypt and the building
of King Solomon's Temple.
The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marks the beginning of
the Modern (or “Speculative”) era of Freemasonry, when members were no longer
limited to actual working stonemasons. These “Accepted” Masons adopted more
enlightened philosophies, and turned what was a tradesmen’s organization into a
fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service,
and gentlemanly socialization.
Part of
the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots.
Over the years, historians have never been able to conclusively determine
exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was formed.
How much does it cost to become a Freemason?
The cost
of becoming a Freemason varies from lodge to lodge. The fees associated with
membership include a one-time initiation fee and annual dues, which cover the
operational expenses of the lodge. Contact your local lodge to find out the
exact costs.
