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The whole system is transmitted to initiates through the medium of Masonic ritual, which consists of lectures and allegorical plays. [2] Common to all of Freemasonry is the three grade system of Craft or Blue Lodge freemasonry, whose allegory is centred on the building of the Temple of Solomon, and the story of the chief architect, Hiram Abiff. [3]
Masonic myths occupy a central place in Freemasonry.Derived from founding texts or various biblical legends, they are present in all Masonic rites and ranks. Using conceptual parables, they can serve Freemasons as sources of knowledge and reflection, where history often vies with fiction.
Except for rare exceptions, Masonic rites are most of the time under the control of Grand Lodges for the first three degrees then under the control of a concordant body for any upper degrees. [2] [3] The most practiced rite in the world from the Entered Apprentice degree is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. [4]
Then the master gives him the word and grips his hand after the masons way, which is all that is to be done to make him a perfect mason." [2] The practice is further documented in Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, where it appears in a Masonic song expressing fraternal unity: [3]
These gentlemen masons gradually transformed lodges into speculative societies focused on moral instruction and fellowship rather than stonework. [4] The earliest record of non-operative masonry comes from the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1. Its minutes date back to 1599, establishing it as the world's oldest Masonic lodge. [1]
The history of Freemasonry encompasses the origins, evolution and defining events of the fraternal organisation known as Freemasonry.It covers three phases. Firstly, the emergence of organised lodges of operative masons during the Middle Ages, then the admission of lay members as "accepted" (a term reflecting the ceremonial "acception" process that made non-stone masons members of an operative ...
The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm is a masonic rite combining esoteric spirituality with humanitarian ideals. Created in Naples in September 1881, it emerged from the fusion of two distinct masonic systems: the Rite of Misraïm, established in Venice in the late 18th century and brought to France in 1814 by the Bédarride brothers, and the Rite of Memphis, founded by Jacques ...
Freemasonry has attracted criticism from theocratic states and organised religions that believe it is in competition with religion or perceive the fraternity's views or practices as heterodox; it has also long been the target of conspiracy theories that assert Freemasonry to be an occult and evil power.