In Pictures: The Structure of Freemasonry

Again and again I get the sense that people believe freemasonry is structured like a step pyramid, with entered apprentices at the bottom and the Scottish Rite's 33rd degree at the top.

I attempted to draw a picture of the REAL structure of freemasonry, but alas my paint skills are quite sad. However, I think the point still comes across:


This is the real structure of freemasonry. The only "pyramid" structure involved are the three degrees of the blue lodge, and people move from entered apprentice to master mason in about 6 months.

Note that this would change a bit depending on the country, this is a US diagram. I only drew the York and Scottish Rite since those are the most famous side orders, but also along the sides you would find the Shriners and all the other side orders. Note that NONE of the organizations are "above" the master mason degree. As has often been noted, Master Mason is the highest degree in freemasonry.

If someone is more artistically inclined and could include a graph of "What People Think Freemasonry Is" with the step pyramid I mentioned earlier, please let me know. I tried to do so and after spending an hour in paint I gave up.



[edit on 27-12-2008 by LowLevelMason]

reply to post by LowLevelMason


Brother,

I expanded upon your worshipful diagram:

emsed - what an excellent addition brother! So THATs what Pike meant about you porch masons

reply to post by LowLevelMason


I forgot to draw the little tiny goat that is down here with me.

There are 33rd degree (and beyond?) Masons; then there's everyone else.

But there was something about 'being raised' to the 33rd degree of The Scottish Rite that royally pissed-off my Grandpa. And even though I don't know exactly what it was that got his blood boiling in the summer of '82, I do trust his judgment.

Freemasonry is not the correct path for me.

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen
There are 33rd degree (and beyond?) Masons; then there's everyone else.

But there was something about 'being raised' to the 33rd degree of The Scottish Rite that royally pissed-off my Grandpa. And even though I don't know exactly what it was that got his blood boiling in the summer of '82, I do trust his judgment.

Freemasonry is not the correct path for me.

Freemasonry is not the path for everyone.

33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. That is the point of this picture. There is a illusion, based in myth and disinformation, that the 33rd degree exists at the top of some imaginary masonic pyramid. This is NOT the case. The 33rd degree is a honorary degree in 1 side order.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason ...33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. [...]

The nature of the honor suggests otherwise. Unlike the three initial degrees of The Symbolic Lodge and the additional 29 S.R. degrees available to the general population, the 33rd degree cannot be sought. It's an honor reserved for the select few. That is, one must be recommended for it. Obviously, anyone so honored would be deemed a cut above the average 32nd degree Mason.



[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

To clarify: I'm writing primarily within the context of Scottish Rite Masonry.

I realize that the upper echelon of other orders or "rites" (E.G. 12th degree Masons of The York Rite) should be evaluated in the contexts of their respective groups.

Having said that, unless those groups offer similar "honorary" degrees to their exceptional members (and in a similarly discriminating fashion), the 33rd degree S.R. Mason would still stand apart.

[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen

Originally posted by LowLevelMason ...33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. [...]

The nature of the honor suggests otherwise. Unlike the three initial degrees of The Symbolic Lodge and the additional 29 S.R. degrees available to the general population, the 33rd degree cannot be sought. It's an honor reserved for the select few. That is, one must be recommended for it. Obviously, anyone so honored would be deemed a cut above the average 32nd degree Mason.



[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

No, no it does not. When someone receives a honorary degree from a university does that give them some special knowledge or rank? No, in fact because its honorary real degrees have much more value. When someone in the military receives a honor in the form of a medal or some other award does that mean they are now above their fellow soliders? No, quite the opposite.

Its a award for community service. Much hysteria, disinformation, propaganda, and excitement exists over something that is in actuality very similar to a honorary academic degree.

And if you actually read the ritual for the KCCH and 33rd degree, you quickly see that it is quickly enforced upon the candidate that the 33rd degree is NOT placing them above any other freemason, and that their humility and humbleness is required.

LLM,

Contrary to your misleading statement, being recommended for the 33rd degree is not necessarily an "award for community service". That much I know first hand.

As for the humility-promoting language of some tract you've read, I can't help but wonder what that has to do with anything I've stated. I didn't suggest that the candidates generally see themselves as "a cut above" the rest; I stated that they "would be deemed a cut above"; and I meant by those who judged them worthy of the nominations ...for whatever reasons.

[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen
LLM,

Contrary to your misleading statement, being recommended for the 33rd degree is not necessarily an "award for community service". That much I know first hand.

As for the humility-promoting language of some tract, I can't but wonder what that has to do with anything I've stated. I didn't suggest that the candidates generally see themselves as "a cut above" the rest; I stated that they "would be deemed a cut above"; I meant by those who deemed the candidates worthy of the honor ...on whatever grounds.

Actually, contrary to your blatant disinformation, the 33rd degree is indeed a award for "service to the Scottish Rite and the community at large" - unless of course you'd like to argue with the Supreme Council. That is a direct quote from one of the Supreme Council members that I wrote down from reunion meeting. The Scottish Rite website further confirms:

The Thirty-third Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of the Rite in recognition of outstanding work in the Rite or in public life.

Source: scottishrite.org...

As a LARGE portion of the Scottish Rite's activity is community service (just about everything beyond reunion meetings), I think its extremely safe to say that the 33rd degree being awarded for "outstanding work in the Scottish Rite" would include a large portion of community service.

So apparently your first hand source knows better than the Supreme Council? I'd love to hear their opinion on that one. I've meet countless 33rd degree masons over the years, and have 3 in my family, and every time I've asked one both (1) why they believe they received the honor and (2) what a SR mason must do to receive the honor, I have been told 100% of the time that those so honored have mainly spent most of their time on community service. Sometimes that has been Scottish Rite sponsored community service activities, sometimes it has not been - but community service is a consistent theme more so than anything else.

Those who receive the 33rd degree are awarded the honor because they have made outstanding contributions to the Scottish Rite and their community. They are not "above" anyone.



[edit on 28-12-2008 by LowLevelMason]

And far too often, those "outstanding contributions" are of significant monetary value, whether rendered in cold, hard cash to the ri(gh)t(e) organizations ...or donated in the forms of properties and buildings.

It's less a degree of merit than affluence.

The York Rite gets more discriminatory as you move along it.
The final three degrees require you to be Christian, and to swear to defend the faith.
Except in the US, it seems, it's invitation only.

Here's Wiki on masonic Rites:
en.wikipedia.org...

It also has links regarding the York and Scottish Rites.
note that both of those are pretty much, though not entirely American. They are also put together from other degrees that already existed in Europe.

There are many more in England, and Europe in general.

Looking through the lsit, the only other group that has a high number of degrees at once would be the The Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, which is itself a invitation only group, limiting themselves in number.

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen
And far too often, those "outstanding contributions" are of significant monetary value, whether rendered in cold, hard cash to the ri(gh)t(e) organizations ...or donated in the forms of properties and buildings.

It's less a degree of merit than affluence.

The 33rd degree cannot be solicited or paid for. If someone tries, they must be refused.

Lets think about this rationally for a second. As the 33rd degree doesn't give one power, rank, authority, or anything else, why would anyone want to pay for something that gives them no benefit what so ever? Because they get to wear a white hat instead of black?

I have yet to meet a "rich" 33rd degree mason who could afford to pay for such. All of the ones I know are of modest means, and some are very close to poverty - lots of rural farmers.

With all the 33rd degree masons and given the immense size of the organization I am sure that someone with more money than sense has bribed their way to the 33rd degree. But its not the norm, and is not something that institution would look favorably upon if found out (in fact it would be more than enough to get you kicked out).

reply to post by RuneSpider


Right, which is why I said this is an American view of things that would change slightly between different countries. But none of the side orders is "above" the 3rd degree in any country, although some bodies are invitational.

i was a bit perturbed regarding this thread, 1 i cant tell if u guys r against or 4 the mason, r ne of u actual masons. i have heard quite a bit about masons from multiple sources, including ppl who are in the familys, the top 3 degrees are very different then the rest below, every below the top 3 degrees are mere brainwashed puppets doing all the work and not really knowing the true reasons they are in the masons and doing what they do,if they do enuff service to the freemasons then eventually they may earn the right 2 kno the truth, and 2 gauard the secrets and become 1 of the top 3 degrees. have u seen the masonic crest, this crest has one of the forms of the cross of lorraine, the version that used to adorn the robes of the templar knights,the origin of this red cross is unknown to many ppl. there are 3 versions of it all red, one with 3 lines, one with 2 lines, and the one on the robes of the templar knights. im not a religious person however i do believe all religions have some answers in them, as well as some bs. this cross originates from the book of genesis. the mark cain and 7 generations of his children had to bear upon their heads for murdering abel. after the end of the seven generations the sons of cain continued to tatto these crosses to themselves. and eventually became the templar kknights till much of the truth about them was exposed and many were killed, so what was ;left had to abopt a new name and go about things differently. the freemasons r bad and what was left of the knifghts started the freemasons. it almost sounded 2 me as if sum of u wanna be freemasons. freemasons are rite interconnected with the illuminati, the skull and bones, the builderberg group,the bohemian club etc. all these groups are workin 2gether 2wards the same goal, they are just different sects assigned to different parts of the job to achieve their goals. one with desensitizing thru media, one political, one religious brainwashing, one more about the lil parts like economy, all working 2wards same thing. any seceret elite society is bad. dont mean to offend ne1s beliefs or nething i just feel very passionately bout this subject.

with love and light myrddin zos

Mod Note (This Appears On Every New Thread/Post Reply Page):
Please avoid using "TXT Messaging Shorthand" for words when posting on AboveTopSecret.com and AbovePolitics.com, such as "4" for the word "for" or "u" for the word you. Common "Internet Slang" acronyms such as "LOL" and "ROFLMA" are acceptable, but should still be used sparingly.



[edit on 28/12/2008 by Mirthful Me]

Wrong, but thanks for playing.

I don't think any Masons would be offended because you obviously feel passionately about the topic. There are many sites on the Internets that present anti-masonic viewpoints.

One nice thing about Freemasonry, ironically, is the equality of all men and all beliefs.

I think there are probably some very powerful figures in the world that are Masons (but I don't know any) but I don't think Masonry either helped or hindered them in their position.

In fact, greed and power go against every Masonic teaching. Anyone who uses Freemasonry for personal gain is (in my opinion) a very bad example for the Fraternity.

I just completed my Council Degrees (Cryptic Masons) and the degrees were just simply amazing and beautiful. The messages they conveyed were powerful and motivational. In my own life Masonry has been a very positive influence.

reply to post by LowLevelMason


I wasn't criticizing, Icarus was wondering about the nature of the York Rite. I was just pointing him somewhere he could read up on it.
He did ask is there were any other degrees that were discriminatory, I just was just mentioning some of the other side orders.
Myrddinzos, mate, in all honesty I know you are trying to make some kind of point in your post, but for me personally, with the number of numbers and the lacking of several letter is reminding me of being in High School.
Nothing against you, but it does make posts hard to read, and harder still to take seriously.
At least from my perspective.

[edit on 28-12-2008 by RuneSpider]

reply to post by emsed1


im srry but if ur organization was truly maliscious and secretive even to their own members, would u splatter all over the net and to the general public that u planned 4 long term world domination, their symbol of hierarchy is a pyramid exactly like the illuminati, they have 33 degrees, sub members of the illuminati work in a same number heirarchy, the main 13 bloodlines and the lower council of initiated members of 33, hmmmmm. sounds familiar doesnt it. does the illuminati go blabbin their secrets all over the internet, no. if u were a 33rd degree sworn to keep secrets would u tell u them, no ud probably be terrified of what might happen.they wouldnt tell their secrets to just ne1, they intend to seem connected to christianity, so of course they are gonna try to show this kind face that promotes equality within their members. but what do all these 30-33rd degrees do when its only them and the rest are not present. i bet its a whole different story. matt groening who made the simpsons, is a 33rd degree freemason, do u realize how much supposedly secret things he has put on his show, like how it predicted 9/11, same with x files.... subliminal messages....quarantine and kill scenarios in the movie+ specific masonic and gestures and much more seceretively splattered in2 his movies and episodes. they use reverse spychology to keep ppl from the truth. the best way to lie 2 sum1 is to tell them everything in a ficticious manner. but to say the complete opposite in a direct supposedly real manner. y would they say the truth if they were sworn 2 secrecy.their sites and members are a face 2 cover up the truth. only those top degrees kno the truth and they wont tell the rest of the ppl. so unless u r a 33rd degree freemason how do u kno im wrong. because u met a a few ppl and ad read the book and site they allow u 2 c. and the pplwho arent profiting from it r even more braiwashed and gettin the # end of the stik on the deal. they are just ezier 2 use. tehy not even gettin payed 4 it, seems like a brilliant scheme 2 me.

with love and light myrddin zos

Mod Note (This Appears On Every New Thread/Post Reply Page):
Please avoid using "TXT Messaging Shorthand" for words when posting on AboveTopSecret.com and AbovePolitics.com, such as "4" for the word "for" or "u" for the word you. Common "Internet Slang" acronyms such as "LOL" and "ROFLMA" are acceptable, but should still be used sparingly.



[edit on 28/12/2008 by Mirthful Me]

reply to post by RuneSpider


srry but im often in a rush to type, and have become used 2 it.

Mod Note (This Appears On Every New Thread/Post Reply Page):
Please avoid using "TXT Messaging Shorthand" for words when posting on AboveTopSecret.com and AbovePolitics.com, such as "4" for the word "for" or "u" for the word you. Common "Internet Slang" acronyms such as "LOL" and "ROFLMA" are acceptable, but should still be used sparingly.



[edit on 28/12/2008 by Mirthful Me]