Frequently Asked Questions about Masonry
The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason’s education
of the first three degrees. Other examples of Masonic affiliated organizations are:
The Shrine (Shriners); York Rite; Grotto; Eastern Star, DeMolay International, Job’s
Daughter’s, International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
The Scottish Rite consists of the 4th through 32nd Degree and an honorary
33rd, which is awarded for exceptional service.
No. While it is a requirement that each member believe in a Supreme Being, it is not important how
one expresses that very personal belief. Further, there is no dogmatic system in Freemasonry.
However, confusion about the secular nature of Freemasonry has been a common misconception for many
years. Most likely, this misconception is due to the Holy Book that sits on the altar in the middle of
a Masonic lodge. This Holy Book does not have to be Christian, like the Bible, rather it can be any Holy Book
that is important to the members of the lodge. In the U.S. where the population is mostly Christian, the Holy Book most
often used in Lodges is the King James Version of the Bible.
Absolutely not, the Scottish Rite and other forms of Freemasonry operate very much in the
open with many events open to the public. There are “modes of recognition” (passwords and handshakes) that
represent a Mason’s ability to keep a promise.
Freemasonry is a fraternity (for men) whose membership must be sought by the candidate. So, in
other words, to be a Mason, ask a Mason how to become a member.
No. The Scottish Rite degrees actually originated in France and were based on legends that
came from Scotland, so “Scottish” is in name only.
There are about 1.7 million Masons in the United States and about 550,000 of those are Scottish Rite
Masons. There are simply too many symbols used in Masonry to explain them all, but probably the most
common symbol people see is the square and compasses. The square reminds Masons to “square” their actions
by the “square of virtue,” and the compasses remind them to “circumscribe” their passions.
In other words, Masons are reminded to keep their actions virtuous and their passions in control. Additionally,
in the U.S. there is usually a “G” in the middle of the square and compass symbol. This letter stands for
“geometry” and “God” and reminds Masons that geometry was central to the stone mason’s life
as God should be to his.
If the apron is a badge of a Mason in Blue Lodge, the cap can be said to be the public badge of a
Scottish Rite Mason. It is considered a part of the uniform and the different colors indicate the degree of the wearer.
(black – 32nd, red – KCCH, white – 33˚)
The Scottish Rite Fourteenth degree ring is a flat, plain band of gold, and embossed thereon is a
plate in the form of an equilateral triangle and within the triangle is the Hebrew letter yud, the initial
letters of Jehovah in Hebrew (yud he vau he). Inside the ring is inscribed the Fourteenth Degree Motto:
Virtus Junxit, Mors Non Separabit (Virtue has united and death shall not separate). The rings circle expresses
the unbreakable fraternal bond between Masons of all generations. Upon the death of the owner, the ring should go
into the hands of his widow, eldest son, the friend who was loved above all others, or another Scottish Rite Mason.
What is the Scottish Rite?