Concordant Bodies of Freemasonry
The Masonic Lodge, often referred to as Symbolic Lodge, Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, receives and acts upon petitions for the three degrees in Freemasonry. These degrees are:
-
Entered Apprentice
- Fellowcraft
- Master Mason
- Fellowcraft
However, for those who would like to receive additional instruction and explanation regarding the allegory and symbolism learned in the Masonic Lodge there are many additional Appendant or Concordant bodies that can be entered. Symbols representing some of the concordant masonic organizations are represented by the images above. Following the square and compass they are from left to right Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Cryptic Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Grotto Masons, DeMolay, Order of the Eastern Star, Job's Daughters, Rainbow For Girls, and Order of Amaranth.
Many of these groups have their own websites, either for the national organization or the California-based subsidiary. You can get to these websites as well as websites from many other Masonic groups from the Masonic Links page.
Freemasonry also has several youth groups. DeMolay is for young men; Job's Daughters, and Rainbow For Girls are for young women. Membership requirements vary.
Shrine
Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Arabic order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international fraternity of approximately 600,000 members who belong to the Shrine Temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.
Founded in New York City in 1872, the Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called, "the heart and soul of the Shrine." Throughout its history, the Shrine has always been involved in charitable endeavors. In the 1920s the membership decided to develop and support an official philanthropy and established the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. Today, the Shrine operates 19 orthopedic hospitals and three burns institutes where children up to age 18 receive excellent medical regardless of race, religion or relationship to a Shriner, receive excellent medical care at no charge.
Why do Shriners wear a Fez?
The red fez with a black tassel, the Shrine's most distinctive symbol, has been handed down through the ages. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured -- the holy city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shrine's Arabic (Near-Eastern) theme, around which the color and pageantry of the Shrine are developed.
Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is one of two branches of Freemasonry to which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the first three degrees of the Symbolic or "Blue" Lodge. The Scottish Rite is open to all Master Masons in good standing.
The Scottish Rite includes the degrees from the 4 through the 32 . Although there are many Scottish Rite members of Scottish ancestry, the Scottish Rite actually originated in France in the early 18th century. During the 18th century, lodges were organized in the United States with the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council founded in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1801.
The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was formed in 1867 and includes the 15 states east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mason-Dixon Line and the Ohio River, including Delaware. The Southern Jurisdiction encompasses the 35 remaining states, the District of Columbia and the United States territories and possessions. The Northern Jurisdiction officially recognizes and enjoys friendly relations with many other jurisdictions around the world.
Scottish Rite shares the same belief of all Masonic organizations that there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason. The Supreme Council and its subordinate bodies acknowledge the Masonic supremacy of the Symbolic (Blue) Grand Lodges and Grand Masters within their jurisdictions. Scottish Rite degrees are in no way higher than the degrees of the Symbolic lodges. The work of the Scottish Rite serves to elaborate on and amplify that of the Symbolic lodge.
Scottish Rite members meet in local or regional "Valleys" and are organized into four parts; Lodge of Perfection, 4 - 14 ;Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 15 - 16 ; Chapter of Rose Croix, 17 - 18 and Consistory, 19 - 32 . Some individual Valleys do not contain all four parts.
York Rite
The York Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement and amplify the Blue Lodge degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry. The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. The York Rite is not a religion in itself, it does, however, develop themes based on the Medieval Crusades.
In the York Rite, A Master Mason may become a member of three bodies - A chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of Royal and Select Masters and a Commandery of Knights Templar or Preceptory.
The York Rite provides bursaries for students attending Universities, Vocational Institutes, Community Colleges and Schools of Nursing. The Keystone of Life Foundation provides funds to hospitals in their jurisdiction to supply needed smaller equipment for patient treatment. The Royal Arch Home and Masonic Apartments are non-profit long-term healthcare facilities which are available to eligible low-income seniors.
Cryptic Masons
A part of the York Rite, the Cryptic Rite or degrees derives its name from the setting of the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master in the underground crypt beneath King Solomon's Temple. The word cryptic means hidden, hence its use in describing these degrees. The last of the series of Cryptic degrees is not cryptic because it does not comply with the requirement of a vault scene.
Cryptic Masonry completes the Masonic allegory. Freemasonry is very philosophical and teaches its ideals by allegory or story. A requirement for membership in Freemasonry is a professed belief in God and eternal life. It is mandatory that a man profess a personal faith in a Supreme Being prior to becoming a Freemason.
Ancient Craft Masonry centers around the story of the preservation, loss and recovery of the Word. The Word presents man's search for life's purpose and the nature of God. Symbolic Freemasonry, as in the Lodge, teaches of the loss of the Word and hope for its recovery. Royal Arch Masonry, as in the Chapter, teaches of its recovery. Cryptic Masonry, as in the Council, completes this story by teaching of the Word's initial preservation.
The General Grand Council established the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation to give Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic philosophy into a living practice. Currently the Foundation is working with medical researchers to find agents to prevent atherosclerosis or more commonly known as hardening of the arteries.
Royal Arch
Royal Arch was founded as a national organization in 1797, in Boston, Massachusetts. Royal Arch is part of the York Rite of Freemasonry.
The General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, International now has jurisdiction over half the 7,000 Chapters in the world, including several provinces in Canada, the Grand Chapters of USA, Philippines, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and many chapters in Central and South America.
No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world so much as does Royal Arch Masonry. Royal Arch Chapters are found around the world who will be eager and willing to receive their companions from other parts of the world into that full fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry.
Many see Royal Arch as the next logical step for a Mason. Royal Arch Masonry contains some simple, plain statements of Truth, easily understandable and helpful in our relation to life. Lodge symbolism deals with lessons of the material side of life. The Chapter degrees, and particularly the Royal Arch, deal with the spiritual side of life.
Grotto Masons
The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (M.O.V.P.E.R), whose subordinate bodies are the Grottoes, is an organization by and for Master Masons. While in no way connected with Masonry proper, its membership is restricted absolutely and exclusively to Master Masons. Its slogan is Good Fellowship, and in contact with their fellow man, this principle is exemplified to a marked degree.
In 1949, the members of the Supreme Council adopted as their International Humanitarian Objective - Aid to the suffereing from cerebral palsy. At present this Humanitarian Foundation has two important projects. First, they expend thousands of dollars annually through the United Palsy Research Foundation. The second project of the Humanitarian Foundation is the Dentistry for the Handicapped Program. Transportation for the patient is provided by the sponsoring Grotto or through the Helwig Fund. The Humanitarian Foundation has made this possible through a unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the country. This local program enables the Grotto to provide dental care to more children.
Among grotto members are many Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters, Governors and ex-Governors of the various states, numerous other Government officials and Masonic civic leaders.
Four Presidents of the United States have been members of the Order: Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Gerald R. Ford.
DeMolay
DeMolay is a Masonic youth group dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.
DeMolay alumni include Walt Disney, John Wayne, Walter Cronkite, football Hall-of- Famer Fran Tarkenton, legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne, news anchor David Goodnow and many others.
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Worldwide, there are approximately one million members.
Eastern Star is a social organization comprised of persons with spiritual values. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us near and dear to each other.
While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever possible.
Job's Daughters
Job's Daughters is an organization for young women that aid in learning important skills for life, such as leadership, organization, teamwork and self reliance.
Throughout the year, Job's Daughters plan and share a lot of fun activities. Arts and crafts, photography, sewing, and creative writing are just a few of the activities they enjoy. Girls also participate in soccer, softball, volleyball, swimming and bowling. Many local groups have competitions with awards and recognition for outstanding achievement.
Job's Daughter's selected charity is the Hearing Impaired Kid's Endowment (The HIKE Fund), provides hearing assistive devices for children in need. "Hikes for HIKE," provide a special charitable service to the community. Working with hearing-impaired children has led many groups, called Bethels, to learn sign language.
Rainbow For Girls
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was established in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1922. The very inception and writing of the first Ritual, and the laws governing the Order, was the work of W. Mark Sexson, a 33rd degree Mason and pastor of the First Christian Church in McAlester, Oklahoma. The local organization is called a local assembly. The state organization is called a Grand Assembly. The international organization is called the Supreme Assembly.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is an organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. At the age of 20, or upon marriage, which ever occurs first, girls who are members in good standing are eligible for Majority Membership. To join, girl must be sponsored by two other girls who are either active members in good standing or a majority member, and at least one adult whom must be a member in good standing of either the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth or the White Shrine.
A girl will learn many skills as a member of the Rainbow Girls.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls emphasizes the following:
(1) Effective Leadership; (2) Church Membership and active Participation in the
church of your choice; (3) Patriotism; (4) Cooperation with Equals; (5) Love of
Home; (6) Loyalty to Family and; (7) Service to Humanity.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls helps promote self-esteem and leadership in its members. As a member, a girl will learn valuable public speaking skills and will attend meetings presided over by girls her own age. While there are always adult advisors to provide direction, all meetings are conducted by the girls.
Order of Amaranth
The Order of the Amaranth is a fraternal organization composed of Master Masons and their properly qualified female relatives. In its teachings, the members are emphatically reminded of their duties to God, to their country and to their fellow beings. They are urged to portray, by precept and example, their belief in the "Golden Rule" and by conforming to the virtues inherent in truth, faith, wisdom, and charity they can prove to others the goodness promulgated by the Order.
Its Philanthropic project is the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation. The leaves of the Amaranth plant (Like the "Laurel") is indicative of distinction and honor, and when formed into the "Amaranthine Wreath" with its never ending circle, is typical of the bond of fraternal friendship which encircles our beloved order, and which has a central place upon our Standard (Ceremonial Flag), surrounding the "Crown and Sword".
The Order of the Amaranth, derived its name from Amaranta, which presumably was derived from the Amaranth flower, a plant well known to the Ancients, and from the fact that its blossoms were of that lasting nature, they gave to its perpetual bloom the symbol of immortality. The Amaranth flower, whose Greek name is "Amarantus" signifies "never withering",as it is of that dry nature that it can maintain its freshness for a long time. It was believed by the Ancients, that if left in water, they would bloom anew, hence the implied symbol of Immortality. Its leaves, (like the Laurel) is indicative of Distinction and Honour, and when formed into the "Amaranthine Wreath" with its never ending circle, is typical of the Bond of Fraternal friendship which encircles this beloved Order, and which has a central place upon its Grand Standard, which surrounds the "Crown and Sword".