List of Masonic rites

A square and compasses with the Masonic tripunctual abbreviation in its center, sometimes used in observant Freemasonry

A Rite, within the context of Freemasonry, refers to a comprehensive system of degrees that hold the capability to initiate and advance a newcomer through various stages of Masonic knowledge and experience. In some cases, a Master Mason can be invited to join a different rite after having reached Mastery to further his knowledge. For a system of Masonic degrees to be named rite, it must encompass the first three blue lodge craft degrees, either as degrees within the rite or as a prerequisite for joining the rite. In essence, a Masonic rite occupies a central position in the trajectory of a Mason's journey, serving as the vehicle through which Masonic teachings and lessons are imparted. ^[1]

Authority and Control

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 rites

Over time, a number of different Masonic degree systems have been developed, some of which are still in use, and others which have now ceased to exist. In his 1861 book "Tuileur Général De La Francmaçonnerie Ou Manuel De L'initié", Jean-Marie Ragon lists 52 Masonic Rites and over 1400 degrees. ^[5]

Currently Practiced Masonic Rites

Rite Name	Degrees	Notable Regions	Year Established	Notes
Adonhiramite Rite	13	Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, France [6]	-	Ends with Noachite or Prussian Knight degree. Has been worked in Brazil since the early 19th century. [7]
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite	33	Worldwide	1801	Most widely practiced Masonic rite globally
Ancient and Primitive Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	One of the historic Egyptian-influenced rites
Portuguese Rite [8]	-	Portugal	-	National rite of Portuguese Freemasonry
Brazilian Rite	Multiple	Brazil	Late 19th/Early 20th century	Based on J. Sadler's translation of the Emulation Ritual of the U.G.L.E. Incorporates Brazilian national symbols and history in its lectures
Irish Rite	-	Ireland	-	Traditional rite practiced in Ireland
French Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	One of the principal rites practiced in French Freemasonry
Moorish Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	Influenced by Moorish traditions
National Mexican Rite	-	Mexico	-	National rite of Mexican Freemasonry
Primitive Scottish Rite	-	Multiple regions	1770	Established at Namur. Practiced by some Grand Lodges and worked exclusively by the Grande Loge Symbolique travaillant au Rite Écossais Primitif [9]
Rectified Scottish Rite	-	Europe	-	Christian-themed Scottish Rite variant
Standard Scottish Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	Standardized version of Scottish Rite workings
Rite Français Moderne Rétabli	-	France	-	Modern restoration of French Rite
Rite of Baldwyn	-	Multiple regions	-	Historic English rite
Rite of Memphis	95	Multiple regions	-	Also known as Oriental Rite. Egyptian-influenced system
Rite of Memphis-Misraim	99	Multiple regions	-	Combines Memphis and Misraim traditions. Egyptian Masonry system
Rite of Misraim	-	Multiple regions	-	Egyptian-influenced rite
Rite Opératif de Salomon	-	Multiple regions	-	Operative working focusing on Solomonic traditions
Schröder Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	German masonic system
Swedish Rite	-	Sweden	-	Official system of Swedish Freemasonry
York Rite	-	Multiple regions	-	One of the most popular rites, especially in English-speaking countries
Martinism Rite	10	Multiple regions	-	Esoteric Christian system
French or Modern Rite	-	France	-	Principal rite of French Freemasonry
Pennsylvania Rite	-	Pennsylvania, USA	-	Also called Old Ancients Ritual. Only U.S. state not practicing Preston-Webb Ritual [10]
Philosophical Scottish Rite	12	Belgium	1796	Still actively practiced in Belgium [11]
Eclectic Rite	3	Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Brazil [12]	1783	Blue Lodge degrees only [9]
Philosophical French Rite	3	France	1969-2002	Created within Tolérance lodge of Grand Orient de France. Covers three symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master) [13] [14]

Historical Rites that are believed to No Longer be Practiced

Rite Name	Degrees	Year Established	Notes
Ancient Reformed rite	-	-	-
Rite of Adoption	-	-	-
Rite of Strict Observance	-	-	-
Cagliostro Adoption Rite	-	-	-
Rite of the Knights of the Two Eagles	-	-	-
Amicists Rite	-	-	-
African Architect Rite	-	1767	-
Rite of the Chapter of Clermont	-	1754	-
Chaldean Rite	3	-	-
Fesster Rite	9	1765	-
Clerks of the Relaxed Observance Rite	10	-	-
Rite of Brother Henoch	4	-	-
Indian Rite	3	-	-
Chastannier Rite	-	1767	Benedict
Rite of the Negotiates	3	1780	Pythagorean masonic rite
Rite of the Benevolent Knights	-	-	Of the Holy City of Jerusalem
Brothers of the Rose-Croix	-	-	-
Brotherhood of Moravian brothers	-	1739	Order of the mustard seed
English Conclave of Templar-Kadosh Rite	-	-	-
Primitive Scottish Rite (Marchet)	33	-	From Advocate Marchet de Nivelles
Rite of Reformed Scots	-	1766	By Tschoudy
Rite of Reformed Scots of Saint-Martin	7	-	-
Egyptian Rite (Cagliostro)	-	1782	-
Rite of Elect Cőens	9	1754	Martinez Paschalis
Rite of the Elect of the Truth	14	1779	Three classes
Eons Rite	-	-	Zoroastrian Masonry
Rite of the Knights of the Polar Star	-	-	-
Fessler Rite	9	1797	-
Rite of the Brothers	-	-	-
Palladian Rite	-	-	-
Rite of the Black Brothers	-	-	-
Rite of the perfect Egyptian initiates	7	-	Lyon France, Crota-Repoa
Rite of Universal Harmony	-	1782	-
Rite of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes	17	1740	Berlin
Zinnendorf Rite	7	1770	-
Heredom Rite	25	1758	Also known as Perfection
Rite of the Invisibles	-	-	-
Rose Croix Rectified of Schroeder	7	1766	-
Hermetic Rite of Avignon	-	-	-
Rite of Liberty	-	1740	Founded in Paris
Rite of the Decorated Masters	-	-	Strict Observance
French Noahides Rite	-	-	Napoleonic Masonry
Rite of the Templar Orient	-	-	-
Haitian rite	3	-	Blue Lodge
Rite of the Land of Palestine	-	-	-
Pernetty Rite	-	1760	Also known as Enlightened of Avignon
Persian Philosophical Rite	7	-	-
Philalethes Rite	12	1773	Seekers of Truth
Rite Primitif de Narbonne	3	1779	Rite of the Primitive Philadelphians
Schroepffer Rite	-	-	Magic, evocations
Sophisians Rite	7	1801	-
Rite of Swedenborg	8	1721	Illuminated of Stockholm
Rite de la Vieille Bru	9	1748	Faithful Scotchman from Toulouse
Rite of the Disciples of Hermes	-	-	-
Manichaean Brothers Rite	-	-	-
Pantheists Rite	-	-	Also known as Socratic Lodge
Rite of the Knights of the Pure Truth	-	-	-
Xerophagists Rite	-	-	-
Rite of the Illuminated Zodiac	-	-	-

Masonic Orders

Order Name	Year Established	Notes
Ordre Initiatique et Traditionnel de l'Art Royal [15]	1973	Still active in 2024, Traditionalist Order, Practices the Rite Opératif de Salomon
Order of the Apocalypse	-	-
Order of Noachites	1757	M. de St. Gelaire
Knight of the Holy City Order	-	-
Architects of Africa	-	Also known as African Brotherhood or Chaos Order
Order of the Eagles and the Sun	-	-
Assanites Order	-	The Old Man of the Mountain
Order of Cuchiara	1512	Italy, also known as Trowel Order
Bonze Order	-	-
Cauldron Order	1512	Italy
Charles XIII Order	-	Bernadotte, King of Sweden
Knights of Asia Order	-	Initiated Brothers in 5 degrees
Scandinavian Order	-	-
Adepts Order	-	-
Knights of the Desert Order	-	-
Diamond Order	17th century	Invulnerable Knights
Awakened Order	18th century	-
Moravian Brothers Order	-	The Mustard Seed
Grand Duke Order	-	-
Lanturlus Order	1771	Instituted by Marquis de Croismarc
Hassanites Order	-	The Old Man of the Mountain
Illustrious Neapolitan Grand Masters Order	-	-
Magicians Order	18th century	-
Masters of 1804	1804	Political masonic Order
Palladium Order	18th century	Sovereign Council of Wisdom
Perfect Initiates of Asia Order	-	-
Unknown Philosophers Order	-	In 2 points
Sacred Sophisiros Order	-	-
Saint-Joachim Order	1760	Christian Freemasonry
Seven Sages Order	17th century	Companions of Ulysses
Tobacological Order	18th century	Also known as Prizers

Masonic Academies

Academy Name	Degrees	Location	Notes
Academy of the Rose	4	-	-
Russian-Swedish	-	-	Alchemical Masonry of Schroder
Academy of the Ancients	-	Warsaw	Also known as Academy of Secrets
Academy Areopagite	-	-	Of the Knights Kadosch
Academy of the Sublime Masters	-	-	Of the Luminous Ring
Academy of the True Masons	6	Paris	Established 1861

Diffusion of Rites (Blue Lodge level)

Europe

France

Grand Lodge	Type	Rites Practiced	Notes
Grand Orient de France (GODF)	Oldest and largest French Grand Lodge	French Rite Rectified Scottish Rite Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm Philosophical French Rite	-
Grande Loge de France (GLDF)	Second largest Grand Lodge	Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite	-
Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF)	Third largest, only one in regularity with U.G.L.E.	French Rite Rectified Scottish Rite Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Emulation Rite York Rite Standard Scottish Rite	-

Italy

Grand Lodge	Type	Rites Practiced	Notes
Grande Oriente d'Italia (GOI)	Oldest and largest Italian Grand Lodge	Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) French Rite (Modern Rite) York Rite Egyptian Rite	-
Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (GLRI)	-	Emulation Rite	-
Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia (SGLI)	-	Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) York Rite	-
Gran Loggia d'Italia degli ALAM (GLdI)	-	Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)	-

United States

State/Region	Grand Lodge	Blue Lodge Rites Practiced	Notes
General	Grand College of Rites	N/A	Focuses on collection and publication of texts from defunct masonic degrees and quasi-Masonic rituals.
Alabama	Grand Lodge of Alabama	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Alaska	Grand Lodge of Alaska	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Arizona	Grand Lodge of Arizona	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Arkansas	Grand Lodge of Arkansas	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
California	Grand Lodge of California	York Rite (Preston/Webb) AASR (Craft Degrees)	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
Colorado	Grand Lodge of Colorado	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Connecticut	Grand Lodge of Connecticut	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Delaware	Grand Lodge of Delaware	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
District of Columbia	GLDC	Emulation Rite AASR (Craft Degrees) York Rite (Preston/Webb) French Rite (Modern Rite) [16] McBride Ritual	Most diverse ritual jurisdiction in the US
Florida	Grand Lodge of Florida	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Georgia	Grand Lodge of Georgia	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Hawaii	Grand Lodge of Hawaii	York Rite (Preston/Webb) AASR (Craft Degrees) [17]	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
Idaho	Grand Lodge of Idaho	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Illinois	Grand Lodge of Illinois	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Indiana	Grand Lodge of Indiana	York Rite (Preston/Webb) Emulation Rite	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
Iowa	Grand Lodge of Iowa	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Kansas	Grand Lodge of Kansas	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Kentucky	Grand Lodge of Kentucky	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Louisiana	Grand Lodge of Louisiana	York Rite (Preston/Webb) AASR (Craft Degrees) [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
Maine	Grand Lodge of Maine	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Maryland	Grand Lodge of Maryland	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Massachusetts	Grand Lodge of Massachusetts	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Michigan	Grand Lodge of Michigan	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Minnesota	Grand Lodge of Minnesota	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Mississippi	Grand Lodge of Mississippi	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Missouri	Grand Lodge of Missouri	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Montana	Grand Lodge of Montana	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Nebraska	Grand Lodge of Nebraska	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Nevada	Grand Lodge of Nevada	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
New Hampshire	Grand Lodge of New Hampshire	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
New Jersey	Grand Lodge of New Jersey	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
New Mexico	Grand Lodge of New Mexico	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
New York	Grand Lodge of New York	York Rite (Preston/Webb) AASR (Craft Degrees) [29]	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
North Carolina	Grand Lodge of North Carolina	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
North Dakota	Grand Lodge of North Dakota	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Ohio	Grand Lodge of Ohio	York Rite (Preston/Webb) Emulation Rite [30]	Goose and Gridiron Lodge No.1717 with special dispensation
Oklahoma	Grand Lodge of Oklahoma	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Oregon	Grand Lodge of Oregon	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Pennsylvania	Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Rite	Unique version of the Ancient Ritual only practiced in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island	Grand Lodge of Rhode Island	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
South Carolina	Grand Lodge of South Carolina	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
South Dakota	Grand Lodge of South Dakota	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Tennessee	Grand Lodge of Tennessee	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Texas	Grand Lodge of Texas	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Utah	Grand Lodge of Utah	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Vermont	Grand Lodge of Vermont	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Virginia	Grand Lodge of Virginia	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Washington	Grand Lodge of Washington	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
West Virginia	Grand Lodge of West Virginia	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction
Wisconsin	Grand Lodge of Wisconsin	York Rite (Preston/Webb) AASR (Craft Degrees) [29]	Multiple ritual jurisdiction
Wyoming	Grand Lodge of Wyoming	York Rite (Preston/Webb)	Single ritual jurisdiction

^{[31] [32]}

Color Key:

• Red background indicates Single Ritual Jurisdiction
• Green background indicates Multiple Ritual Jurisdiction

Notes:

• All jurisdictions allow AASR and York Rite as upper degrees after the Blue Lodge level
• The Pennsylvania Rite is a unique variation of the Ancient Ritual
• The District of Columbia has the most diverse selection of approved rituals
• Special dispensations may exist in certain jurisdictions for specific lodges

Masonic Rite Origins

Rite Name	Origin Location	Year Established	Original Purpose/Context
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite	Charleston, South Carolina	1801	Evolved from Rite of Perfection
Rite of Memphis	France	-	Oriental and Egyptian traditions
Swedish Rite	Sweden	-	Christian-oriented Masonry
York Rite	England	-	Based on English craft traditions
French Rite	France	1786	Modern French Masonry
Philosophical French Rite	France	1969-2002	Developed within Tolérance lodge
Pennsylvania Rite	Pennsylvania, USA	-	Derived from Ancient Grand Lodge of England

A key feature that distinguishes these rites is their relationship with the blue lodge degrees. Some rites incorporate these degrees directly, while others require them as prerequisites. The diversity of rites reflects the rich historical development of Freemasonry across different cultures and regions.

Authority and Control

Most Masonic rites operate under a dual control structure:

• First three degrees are typically under the control of Grand Lodges
• Upper degrees are usually managed by concordant bodies

See also

• Scottish Rite
• Chamber of Reflection
• Grand College of Rites
• Ancient and Primitive Rite
• French Rite
• National Mexican Rite
• Rectified Scottish Rite
• Rite of Baldwyn
• Masonic myths

References

1. de Hoyos, Arturo (2014). "Masonic Rites and Systems". In Bodgan, Henrik; Snoek, Jan A. M. (eds.). Handbook of Freemasonry. Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion. Vol. 8. Leiden: Brill Publishers. pp. 355–377. doi:10.1163/9789004273122_020. ISBN   978-90-04-21833-8. ISSN   1874-6691.
2. "Appendant and Concordant Bodies of Freemasonry • Jackson Lodge № 1, F∴& A∴M∴".
3. "Concordant Bodies | Appendant Bodies | Affiliations". 4 December 2020.
4. "Frequently Asked Questions | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S∴J∴, U.S.A."
5. J.-M. Ragon (1861). Tuileur Général de la Francmaçonnerie ou Manuel de l'Initié (in French). Paris: Collignon, Libraire-Éditeur. pp.335-378
6. "Rito Adonhiramita | Maçonaria Adonhiramite | Graus Filosóficos | Loja Adonhiramita". Rito Adonhiramita. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
7. Dale, John (2022-06-27). "The Rite Stuff: The Many Masonic Rituals of Latin America". California Freemason Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
8. "Rito Português – G ∴ L ∴ U ∴ P ∴".
9. Folger, Robert B., M.D. (1881). The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in Thirty-Three Degrees.
10. "Resources - Robert Burns Lodge No. 59". www.robertburns59.org. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
11. https://www.gadlu.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NUMERO-17.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
12. "Rito Eclético | Maçonaria Eclética | Maçonaria Alemã". Rito Adonhiramita. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
13. Carreau, Jean-Paul (June 7, 2011). "Le Rite Français Philosophique dernier rite Au Sein Du G∴O∴D∴F∴" . La Chaîne d'Union. 55 (1): 28–39. doi:10.3917/cdu.055.0028.
14. "Philosophical French Rite - Robert Burns Lodge No. 59". 7 June 2024.
15. "OITAR, Ordre Initiatique et Traditionnel de l'Art Royal - Accueil". www.oitar.info. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
16. "LA France 93". www.lafrancelodge93.org. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
17. "Lodge Le Progres de l'Oceanie-Hawaii Freemasonry-A Masonic Lodge in Honolulu, Hawaii". Lodge Le Progres de l'Oceanie-Hawaii Freemasonry-A Masonic Lodge in Honolulu, Hawaii. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
18. nolahistoryguy (2016-12-20). "The Grand Lodge of Louisiana and Scottish Freemasonry". Edward Branley - The NOLA History Guy. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
19. "About Cervantes No. 5". Cervantes. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
20. https://library.la-mason.com/PastProceedings/1860/1867.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
21. "Etoile Polaire No. 1 About Us". www.etoilepolaire1.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
22. "Germania Lodge No. 46". www.germanialodge.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
23. "Galileo-Mazzini Lodge #368 Kenner LA | MasonPost.com". www.masonpost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
24. "Index".
25. "Perseverance Lodge #4 New Orleans LA | MasonPost.com". www.masonpost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
26. "Home | Albert Pike Lodge #376". Albert Pike Lodge. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
27. "Paul M. Schneidau Lodge #391 Kenner LA | MasonPost.com". www.masonpost.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
28. "Red vs Blue lodges – Masonry 101". 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
29. "connect | Aurora #0030". wi.moriapp.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
30. "Internet Lodge - The Creation of Goose and Gridiron Lodge No 1717 in Ohio". internet.lodge.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
31. "Resources - Robert Burns Lodge No. 59". August 2023.
32. "Some Lodges Are Different".