Scottish Rite
[Scottish Rite History] [Scottish Rite
Degrees] [Scottish Rite Caps]
“The purpose of the Scottish Rite, simply stated, is to seek
that which is the most worth in the world; to exalt the dignity of every
person, the human side of our daily activities, and the maximum service to
humanity; to aid mankind’s search in God’s universe for identity, for
development and for destiny, and thereby achieve better men in a better world,
happier men in a happier world and wiser men in a wiser world.”
The
Scottish Rite Creed
The cause of human progress is our cause, the enfranchisement of
human thought our supreme wish, the freedom of human conscience our mission,
and the guarantee of equal rights to all peoples everywhere, the end of our
contention.
The two "Rites" of Freemasonry
are generally recognized; the "York Rite", which many think should
more properly be called the American Rite (Royal Arch Chapters, Councils of
Royal and Select Masters, Commanderies) and the "Scottish Rite" of
thirty three degrees. Both Rites have their roots in symbolic Masonry, and no
man in the United States , Canada , England ,
Ireland or Scotland
While
the Scottish Rite has thirty-three degrees, numbered from 1 to 33, the Supreme
Councils of the English speaking countries do not assume any authority over the
first three degrees where there exists a Grand Lodge which adheres to the
Landmarks of freemasonry and continues regular, legitimate and duly constituted
and which refrains from interfering with the administration of the Fourth to
Thirty-third Degrees inclusive by the Supreme Council. The Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite goes so deeply into the past for much of its symbolism and
philosophy that its origins are lost in the mists of antiquity from which
emerges history.
In 1761
the first "secret" Constitutions was framed; in 1762, the
"Constitutions and Regulations", these, with the later Constitutions
of 1786, are its fundamental law. The first Lodge of Perfection was established
in this country in
In the Southern Jurisdiction the Lodge of Perfection confers the Ineffable
degrees from the 4th to the 14th; the Chapter of Rose Croix confers the
Historical and Second Temple degrees, 15th and 16th, and the Religious degrees,
17th and 18th; the Council of Kadosh confers the Chivalric and Philosophical
degrees, from 19th to the 30th inclusive, and the Consistory completes the
series by conferring the Official degrees, 31st and 32nd. In the Northern
Jurisdiction the Lodge of Perfection confers the 4th to the 14th, inclusive;
the Council of Princes of Jerusalem, the 15th and 16th; the Chapter of Rose
Croix, the 17th and 18th; and the Consistory the 19th to 32nd, inclusive. In
The Thirty-third Degree of the Rite differs from others in that for it no one
may ask; it must be given. In the Southern Jurisdiction a brother receives
first the distinction of being names K.C.C.H. (Knight Commander of the Court of
Honor). From those of this rank the Supreme Council chooses those who may
receive the 33, Inspector General Honors. The Northern Supreme council does not
award the distinction of K.C.C.H. These honors are given for merit, long or
distinguished service to the rite, the Craft or to humanity, and are highly prized.
Those who have received the 33 wear a triple band ring, sometimes plain,
sometimes bearing a triangle with the figures 33 within it.
The Scottish Rite is wholly non-sectarian. It is deeply religious in character,
but in the same sense that Symbolic Masonry is religious - it teaches religion,
not a religion. Both Northern and Southern Supreme Councils observe the
ceremonies of Extinguishing and Relighting the Symbolic Lights; the first on
Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter), the latter either immediately
following or upon Easter Sunday. These ceremonies are perhaps as beautiful and
impressive as any degree in any rite, unforgettable by any who have ever seen
or taken part in them.
It is impossible, of course, to describe the degrees of the Scottish Rite. Nor
are the degrees the same in the Northern and Southern Supreme Councils. In the
latter, the rituals are largely the result of Albert Pike's revision and
spiritualization of older rituals. In the Northern Jurisdiction, while many of
the degrees follow the Mother Council's ritual in form, some of the ceremonies
are entirely different. Scottish Rite degrees usually are, and always should be
when possible, put on in costume land by carefully trained casts. Many of the
ceremonies are very elaborate, requiring a small army of workers; when well
done, they attract brethren from many miles away. Indeed, so difficult are some
of the ceremonies, and so extensive the facilities and preparation required,
that many are seen but once or twice a year, and in but a few centers in any
State. From this has arisen that custom which Scottish Rite Masons know as the
"Reunion" - a gathering of Scottish Rite Masons from all over a State
to see and take part in the degrees given to a "class"; such Reunions
not uncommonly last a week. Not all Bodies of the Rite put on all the degrees
in any one
In the earlier degrees that "further light", which is hinted at in
the Blue Lodge, is given and questions which many Master Masons ask after they
are raised to the Sublime Degree are answered with solemnity and reverence.
Later, matters wholly new to Master Masons are taken up, and a wealth of
philosophy, religion, and knowledge made available for the postulant. The
fourth to the thirty-second degrees of the Scottish Rite, beautiful and
inspiring as they are, should not be, as they often are, called "Higher
Degrees" connotating an elevation, a superiority, over the first three
degrees. "I'm only a Blue Lodge Mason - I never went any higher" -
how often is that semiapologic statement made! The greatest authorities in the
Scottish Rite are emphatic in the statement that neither that Rite nor any
other can make a man more of a Mason than he becomes in the Blue Lodge. The
degrees can, and frequently do, make him a better Mason, just as the labor
required to earn a college degree can, and often does, make a man a better, but
not more a citizen than he was before he passed through college. The Scottish
Rite degrees are numerically greater than the first, second and third, but not
"higher". Our degrees are in
addition to and are in no way "higher" than Blue Lodge degrees.
Scottish Rite work amplifies and elaborates on the lessons of the Craft. It
should never be forgotten that termination of a member's Symbolic Lodge
standing automatically terminates his Scottish Rite membership.
The Scottish Rite is governed by a Supreme Council in each Jurisdiction, just
as Symbolic Masonry is governed by a Grand Lodge in each Jurisdiction. But the
composition of a Supreme Council and a Grand Lodge is wholly different. The
Grand Lodge consists of the Masters and Wardens of Blue Lodges, and certain
permanent members (Past Grand Masters, Grand Officers, in some Grand
Jurisdictions Past Masters, etc.), Supreme Councils in this country are limited
to thirty-three Active Members (Southern Jurisdiction). Sixty-six Active
Members (Northern Jurisdiction). These Active Members (All having previously
attained the 33 degree) are elected by their fellows and for life. In the
Southern Jurisdiction the officers of the Supreme Council are elected for life;
in the Northern Supreme Council, for three years, but the principal officers
are almost invariably reelected, so that tenure is usually for life. Scottish
Rite Masons in many States have erected and occupy beautiful and impressive
buildings, especially designed and equipped for Scottish Rite work. One of the
most, if not the most, beautiful Masonic structure in the world is the
"House of the Temple" home of the Supreme Council S.J. in Washington,
D.C. Sessions of the Supreme Council are held in it every two years.
Masonic Service Association The Short
Talk Bulletin May 1937
There are four
coordinate divisions in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction
1. Lodge of
Perfection, 4th degree to 14th degree
2. Chapter of Rose
Croix, 15th degree to 18th
3. Council of Kadosh,
19th degree to 30th degree
4. Consistory 31st to
32nd and the 33rd degree
Lessons of the Scottish Degrees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is also the symbol of the 32nd degree
Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret and probably the best known. The double-headed eagle was probably
first accepted by Masonry, as a symbol, in the year 1758. In that year the
body calling itself the Council of Emperors of the East and West was
established in Paris. The double-headed eagle was in all probability adopted
by this Council, which claimed a double jurisdiction; one head inclined to
the East to guard any and all who might approach from that direction, the
other head guarding the West for a like purpose. The Council adopted a ritual
of twenty-five degrees, all of which are now contained in the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, to which eight more were added so as to make
thirty-three Degrees of which our Rite is now composed. The
Eagle, as a symbol, is rooted in antiquity. According to Albert G. Mackey the
great Masonic encyclopedist, the bird was sacred to the sun in Egypt, Greece,
and Persia. To the pagans it was an emblem of Jupiter, that is, the Greek
Zeus, god of moral law and order, protector of suppliants and punisher of
guilt. Among the Druids, a religious order of the ancient Celts, it was a
symbol of their Supreme Being. Reference is frequently made to the eagle in
the Scriptures. Among
the pagans, the eagle symbolized great strength and endurance as evidenced by
its keen sight, aerial prowess and resourcefulness in outwitting its prey,
never wanting for its daily necessities. Cicero,
Roman Orator, Statesman and man of letters, in speaking of the myth of
Ganymede -- The beautiful shepherd boy who was carried to Olympus by Zeus in
the form of an eagle to be the cupbearer of the mythical gods --states that
‘it teaches us that the truly wise, irradiated by the shining light of
virtue, become more and more like God, until by wisdom they are borne aloft
and soar to Him.” And
so goes the story of the Double Headed Eagle. May its shining light of virtue
guide and guard our pathway of life. |
Thirty
-Third Degree
|
|
The 33rd degree is conferred upon those members
of the 32 degree who have been outstanding in their contributions to
Freemasonry who have shown in their communities the leadership which marks
them as men who exemplify in their daily lives the true meaning of the
Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God. It cannot be sought by
application, but must be such a man as described above. He must be not less
than 33 years of age, and may be elected at an Annual Meeting of the Supreme
Council a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Thirty third and Last Degree.
Such election shall be by unanimous vote of the Active Members present taken
by secret ballot The degree is conferred at the Annual Meeting of the Supreme
Council succeeding the election of a candidate. |
Caps and their Significance
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
As the White
Lambskin is the Badge of a Mason, so is the regulation cap the badge of a
Scottish Rite Mason. |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
A purple cap indicates that the wearer
is a 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Active Member of the Supreme
Council. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A white cap indicates a 33° Inspector
General Honorary. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A red cap means 32° Knight
Commander of the Court of Honour (KCCH). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A light blue cap means that the
wearer has been a Scottish Rite Mason for fifty years or more. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A black cap indicates that the
wearer has attained the 32°. |
|
|
The Supreme Council has set forth a rule for the correct
wearing of the cap. When wearing a cap it shall be considered to be a part of
the apparel of the wearer and shall not be removed. At
the presentation of the flag, the cap shall remain in place, and the members
shall stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. During
prayer, the cap shall remain in place and the hands and arms shall be crossed
as in the 18°. The wearing of caps is considered proper at Reunions, Scottish
Rite meetings. Maundy Thursday services, etc. It is improper for the cap to
be worn in cafes, bus stations, on the street, or in any other public place. |
||
Mottos of the
Craft
|
Ordo ab Chao |
Spes Mea in Deo Est |
In Deo Fiducia Nostra |
|
Order Out of Chaos |
My Faith is in God |
Our Trust is in God |
Some Reasons why Master Masons join the
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
|
·
To every Master Mason who is desirous of more light and a better understanding
of Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite appeals, Because: |
|
·
IT offers an unsurpassed field for the study of Masonry. |
|
·
IT enlarges upon and explains and applies the symbols of Masonry. |
|
·
IT exemplifies and makes clear the truths and allegory of the
Blue Lodge. |
|
·
IT presents an unequaled opportunity for the practical
demonstration of the teachings of Freemasonry. |
|
·
IT gives you a fellowship in its literature, with the deepest
minds and purest character of Freemasonry. |
|
·
IT allows you to participate in the glorious work of spreading
the propaganda of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. |
|
·
IT gives you a greater incentive to higher thoughts and nobler
deeds, because of a greater knowledge of your responsibilities and the
history of the institutions of the Scottish Rite. |
|
·
IT creates within you a greater love for chivalry; a greater
respect for philosophy, and a never-ending love for your mother Lodge. |
|
·
IT enjoins on every Brother the support of the American Public
School, non-partisan, non-sectarian, efficient, democratic; for all the
children of the people; equal educational opportunities for all. |
|
·
IT inculcates patriotism, love of the flag, respect for law and
order and undying loyalty to constitutional government. |
|
·
IT carries out the sublime principles of Masonry by cooperating
in every way with the Blue Lodge, by maintaining an ever-increasing interest
in Masonry. |
|
·
IT brings the Brethren from various Lodges together at frequent intervals
whereby the spirit of Brotherhood and Fraternity is reflected in everyday
living. |
|
·
To those who are interested in securing a broader understanding
of Freemasonry and desirous of enlisting in a campaign as a militant champion
of the American Public School and upholding and fostering of the American Way
of Life, the Scottish Rite is an effective instrument for the promotion and
maintenance of these objectives. |
Scottish Rite Valley of Raleigh, Orient of North
Carolina
|
(We hope you enjoy these pages about
Freemasonry) |
|