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In Freemasonry, the first three Masonic degrees constitute the fundamental degrees in all Rites they are called Blue Lodge of Craft degree.. Over time, various systems of optional "high Masonic degrees" or "Side Degree" have been added to these three fundamental degrees, practiced in workshops known as perfection lodges or chapters.
In some cases, a Master Mason can be invited to join a different rite after having reached Mastery to further his knowledge. For a system of Masonic degrees to be named rite, it must encompass the first three blue lodge craft degrees, either as degrees within the rite or as a prerequisite for joining the rite. In essence, a Masonic rite ...
Blue lodge s, craft lodges or ancient craft lodges refer to the lodges that work the first three Masonic degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, rather than the appendant Masonic orders such as York Rite and Scottish Rite. The term "craft lodge" is used in Great Britain.
These three degrees form Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry, and members of any of these degrees are known as Free-Masons, [7] Freemasons or Masons. Once the Craft degrees have been conferred upon a Mason, he is qualified to join various "Concordant bodies" which offer additional degrees.
The basic unit of Freemasonry is the Masonic Lodge, [3] which alone can "make" (initiate) a Freemason. Such lodges are controlled by a Grand Lodge with national or regional authority for all lodges within its territory. A masonic lodge confers the three masonic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft (or Fellow Craft), and Master Mason. [4] [5]
The Chain of Union is used in most blue (craft) Lodge rituals and can occur at specific moments in Masonic ceremonies. For example, craft lodges working the Scottish Rite is performed twice during initiation ceremonies: first, when receiving a new initiate into the brotherhood and again at the closing of the works.
Blue lodge degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, often conferred in a single session. Deacons who guide candidates through degree rituals. A Lecturer who delivers educational lectures to members. Diligent examination of visitors to prove Masonic identity. Prayers and invocations with Christian references.
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] Further degrees have different underlying allegories, often linked to the transmission of the story of Hiram.