High Masonic degrees

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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.

Contents

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.

Grand Orient high degrees.jpg

History

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Early Origins (Pre-1717)

The earliest documented form of Freemasonry emerged from the operative masonic guilds of medieval Europe. During this period, it is mostly admitted that the craft maintained a simple two-degree system that directly reflected the practical organization of stonemason's work. [1] Although some traditions such as the Operative Masons, maintain that the craft contained seven degrees before it was reduced to two. [2] [3] [4] Some tradition maintain that the third degree legend was part of the second degree, while some other claim that it was a mystery played during feasts. [5]

That no Master or fellow shall take any apprentice as his apprentice unless for seven years, and that apprentice be able of birth and of living as he ought to be." - The William Watson Manuscript

— William Watson, The William Watson Manuscript 1535

[7]

Archaeological evidence from early lodge minutes, particularly from Scottish lodges, shows that this two-degree system was well-established by the late 16th century. [8]

Transformation to Speculative Masonry (1717-1725)

The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marked a crucial transition period in Masonic history. During this time, the craft greatly shifted from operative to speculative Masonry, (this shift had started in the late 1500s) focusing more on moral, esoteric and philosophical teachings rather than practical stonework. [9]

Introduction of the Third Degree

Although still heavily debated, the modern consensus claims that The Master Mason degree was cemented around 1725 in London, [10] marking a significant evolution in Masonic ritual and symbolism, this legend was in direct competition with another "Noachite" legend. [11] Other Scholar claim that the legend existed far before this date as it is hinted at in earlier rituals. This development: [12] [13]

  • Established the three-degree system that would become fundamental to all Masonic Rites
  • Created a more complex symbolic structure for Masonic teaching

Proliferation of Higher Degrees (1730-1760)

The period between 1730 and 1760 saw an unprecedented expansion in Masonic degrees, particularly in France and continental Europe. [14]

Cultural Influences

Several factors contributed to this proliferation:

  • Enlightenment Philosophy
    • Interest in esoteric knowledge and ancient mysteries
    • Emphasis on rational inquiry and systematic learning
    • Integration of Hermetic and Kabbalistic traditions
  • Political Context
    • Rise of enlightened absolutism
    • Social upheavals in pre-revolutionary France
    • Growing influence of nobility in Masonic lodges
  • Religious Developments
    • Tensions between traditional Christianity and new philosophical ideas
    • Integration of mystical and esoteric Christian traditions
    • Influence of Rosicrucianism and other esoteric movements [15]

Major Centers of Development

LocationNotable contributionsKey figures
ParisDevelopment of Scottish Master degreeChevalier Ramsay
LyonStrict Observance systemJean-Baptiste Willermoz
BordeauxPerfection RiteStephen Morin
LondonRoyal Arch developmentsLaurence Dermott

Systematization Period (1760-1800)

By the 1760s, over one hundred distinct Masonic degrees had been created. [16] This proliferation led to efforts to systematize and organize these degrees into coherent systems.

Major Developments

Notable Systems

French Rite The French Rite is one of the oldest systems in existence and was systematized in 1786 and solidified with the creation of the "Manuscrit de Moûtiers" of 1787 and later the publication of the Régulateur du Maçon in 1801, establishing a three degrees plus 4 orders system: [17]

Blue Lodge

  • 1st Degree: Entered Apprentice
  • 2nd Degree: Fellow Craft
  • 3rd Degree: Master Mason

Orders of Wisdom

  • 1st Order: Élu (Elect)/ Master Elect
  • 2dn Order: Ecossais / Grand Élu (Grand Elect)
  • 3rd Order: Chevalier d'Orient / Knight of Masonry
  • 4th Order: Rose-Croix / Perfect Sovereign Mason

Conservatory

  • 5th Order: Grand Conservatory / Additional administrative order

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Developed through several stages:

  • Initial formation in Charleston, South Carolina (1801)
  • Expansion to France (1804)
  • Global spread throughout the 19th century

Modern Period (1800-Present)

The 19th and 20th centuries saw:

Contemporary Organization

Modern Masonic degrees are typically organized under different governing bodies:

  • Blue/Craft Lodges (first three degrees) under Grand Lodges
  • Scottish Rite bodies under Supreme Councils
  • York Rite bodies under state/national organizations
  • Independent orders maintaining their own degree systems

Practice

In most systems, Lodges that practice the "high degrees" are distinct from the lodges of the first three degrees. They have different names, varying depending on the degrees they confer, but are also referred to under the generic term "higher lodges" or "lodges of perfection." In general, these lodges are organized separately from the obediences (grand lodges or grand orients) that federate the lodges of the first three degrees.

High degrees according to the rites

Rectified Scottish Rite

Green Lodges:

Inner Order:

Secret Class:

French Rite

According to the Manuscrit R.C. de la bibliothèque Doré from 1786, the Manuscrit de Moûtiers and the Montaleau’s manuscript of 1787 and the 1801 Regulator of Masonic Knights:

Orders

Conservaroty

Note: The French Rite insisted that these be called Order and not degrees, for they viewed the Third degree as the highest and ultimate degree.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite vary from one jurisdiction to the next. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Southern Jurisdiction, each have their own lists of degrees, as well as Scottish Rite jurisdictions in France, Canada, England and Wales.

Egyptian Masonic Rites

Loges of Perfection:

Chapters:

Senates:

Areopaguses and Tribunals:

Grand Consistories:

Grand Councils:

Grand Tribunals:

Grand Mystical Temples:

Sovereign Sanctuaries:

York Rite

Chapter - "Royal Arch"

Council - "Cryptic Masonry"

Commanderies - "Knights Templar"

References

  1. ↑ Stevenson, David. The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century, 1590-1710. Cambridge University Press, 1988.
  2. ↑ "The Operatives". www.theoperatives.org. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  3. ↑ "The Operatives" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-25.
  4. ↑ "The ritual of the operative free masons" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-05-09.
  5. ↑ "Chapter 21 | THE OLD CHARGES". theoldcharges.com. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  6. ↑ "The William Watson manuscript 1535 - RUKOPISNI SVITAK, VILJEM VOTSON, translated into Serbian by Karl Hameder". www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  7. ↑ "The William Watson manuscript 1535 - RUKOPISNI SVITAK, VILJEM VOTSON, translated into Serbian by Karl Hameder". www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  8. ↑ Lyon, David Murray. History of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1. Blackwood, 1873.
  9. ↑ Knoop, Douglas, and G. P. Jones. The Genesis of Freemasonry. Manchester University Press, 1947.
  10. ↑ Dachez, Roger. Histoire de la franc-maçonnerie française. PUF, Paris, 2003, p. 61.
  11. ↑ "The Noachite Legend and the Craft – The Square Magazine". www.thesquaremagazine.com. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  12. ↑ "The Edinburgh Register House Manuscript (1696) – The Square Magazine". www.thesquaremagazine.com. Retrieved 2026-02-04.{{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 40 (help)
  13. ↑ "Edinburgh Register House Manuscript 1696". Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  14. ↑ Naudon, Paul. Histoire générale de la franc-maçonnerie. Office du Livre, 1981.
  15. ↑ Yates, Frances A. The Rosicrucian Enlightenment. Routledge, 1972.
  16. ↑ Bernheim, Alain. "The Origin of Masonic High Degrees." Heredom, vol. 5, 1996.
  17. ↑ Ligou, Daniel. Histoire des Francs-Maçons en France. Privat, 2000.
  18. ↑ Bogdan, Henrik. Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation. SUNY Press, 2007.
  19. ↑ Contremoulin, Gérard (2022). Le 1er ordre du rite français : maître élu : de la vengeance à la justice. Les cahiers de rite français (in French). Detrad-aVs. ISBN   9782916094946.
  20. ↑ Contremoulin, Gérard (2022). Le 2e ordre du rite français : grand élu : de l'union des hommes à l'unité des valeurs. Les cahiers de rite français (in French). Detrad-aVs. ISBN   9782916094953.
  21. ↑ Contremoulin, Gérard (2022). Le 3e ordre du rite français : chevalier maçon : de la destruction à la reconstruction. Les cahiers de rite français (in French). Detrad-aVs. ISBN   9782916094960.
  22. ↑ Contremoulin, Gérard (2022). Le 4e ordre du rite français : parfait maçon libre : de la libération à l'épanouissement. Les cahiers de rite français (in French). Detrad-aVs. ISBN   9782916094977.
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