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The Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord was at one time, an inner appendant order, of which all those who had taken their second degree were eligible for membership. [3] The order was developed in the UK in 1889, and there are six classes or grades of membership. The first three grades meet in a consistory. [4]
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.
Royal Arch Masonry (also known as "Capitular Masonry") is the first part of the American York Rite system of Masonic degrees. Royal Arch Masons meet as a Chapter, and the Royal Arch Chapter confers four degrees: Mark Master Mason, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
A masonic lodge confers the three masonic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft (or Fellow Craft), and Master Mason. [4] [5] Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, there are additional degrees [6] that are offered only to those who are Master Masons. Most of these are supervised by their own "Grand ...
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]
Masonic initiation rites include the reenactment of a scene set on the Temple Mount while it was under construction. Every Masonic lodge, therefore, is symbolically the Temple for the duration of the degree and possesses ritual objects representing the architecture of the Temple. These may either be built into the hall or be portable.
Royal Arch Masonry is the first order a Master Mason joins in the York Rite. The Chapter works the following degrees: The Mark Master Mason degree is in some respects an extension of the Fellow Crafts' second degree. In some jurisdictions the degree is conferred in a Fellow Craft Lodge, that is, the second degree of the Blue Lodge.
Initiation into the first degree involves symbolic tests of an operative mason's skill, such as dressing a rough ashlar stone. The candidate takes his obligation kneeling on an ashler with his bare knees. [35] He is presented with actual operative masonry tools like chisels and mallets, rather than the speculative symbolic tools. [36]