Just as collegiate degrees are titles stating that one has achieved a certain rank in learning in the academic sense, so are the degrees of Freemasonry significant of one's level of education in the mysteries — or "secrets," as they are more often called — of this great and noble institution.
There are only three degrees on Freemasonry, conferred by a "regularly constituted lodge of Free and Accepted Masons" — otherwise known as "craft", "symbolic", or "blue". lodges.
Contrary to what most people think, there is no degree higher than the third: Master Mason.
"But what about all those 32° Freemasons I keep hearing about?"
Glad you asked!
After a man has become a Master Mason, he can seek "further light" (more Masonic education) by joining one of two groups that embellish on the first three degrees of Freemasony, the Scottish Rite and the York Rite. (A "32° Freemason" is a member of the Scottish Rite, by the way.)
While both of these groups provide extra degrees, they are by no means an indication of superiority over the degree of Master Mason. Rather, they can be seen as "post-graduate" work: a furtherment of one's knowledge that does not actually confer any greater prestige.
Besides the Rites, Master Masons are also eligible to join any number of organizations that have Blue Lodge membership as a prerequisite:
(To name just a few!)
For further information, feel free to contact us!
Copyright ©2007 Paul Revere Lodge No. 998