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] Except for rare exceptions, Masonic rites are most of the time under the control of a
Grand Lodges for the first three degrees then under the control of a concordant body for any upper degrees.[2][3]
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. Known Masonic degree systems include:[5]
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]
Masonic rites that are still practiced
Adonhiramite Rite of the Baron de Tchoudy, ending with the Noachite or Prussian Knight, 13 degrees. (Practiced in Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay and France.)[6][7][8]
Eclectic Rite, in Germany and Switzerland, 1783, 3 degrees (Blue Lodge)[7][11]
Philosophical French Rite, created within the Tolérance lodge of the Grand Orient de France between 1969 and 2002.[12] The rite was officially recognized by the Grand Orient de France in 2002 after over 30 years of development. It has since spread to around a dozen lodges. The rite currently only covers the three symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master).[13][12]
Masonic rites that are believed to no longer be practiced
The G∴L∴N∴F is the third largest Grand Lodge of France and the only one in regularity with the U.G.L.E. it practices:
French Rite
Rectified Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
Emulation Rite
York Rite
Standard Scottish Rite
Italy
Grande Oriente d'Italia (G∴O∴I∴)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
French Rite (Modern Rite)
York Rite
Egyptian Rite
Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (G∴L∴R∴I∴)
Emulation Rite
Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia (S∴G∴L∴I∴)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
York Rite
Gran Loggia d'Italia degli ALAM (G∴L∴d∴I∴)
Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
North America
United States
The
Grand College of Rites focuses on the collection and publication of texts from defunct masonic degrees, and quasi-Masonic rituals used by other fraternities and societies.[37] One of its stated purposes is the prevention, within the larger community of
Freemasons, of the revival or usage of any rituals that are not currently in use in the United States.[38]
Louisiana
Grand Lodge of Louisiana
York Rite (American Rite or Preston/Webb)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)(Craft Degrees)
District of Columbia
Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (GLDC)
Emulation Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) (Craft Degrees)
York Rite (American Rite)
French Rite (Modern Rite)
McBride Ritual
Ohio
Grand Lodge of Ohio
York Rite (American Rite)
Emulation Rite (Goose and Gridiron Lodge No.1717 with special depensation)
Pennsylvania
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Rite (A version of the Ancient Ritual only practiced in Pennsylvania)
^
abSpieth, Darius A.; Spieth, Darius A. (June 7, 2007). Napoleon's Sorcerers: The Sophisians. University of Delaware Press.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
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] Except for rare exceptions, Masonic rites are most of the time under the control of a
Grand Lodges for the first three degrees then under the control of a concordant body for any upper degrees.[2][3]
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. Known Masonic degree systems include:[5]
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]
Masonic rites that are still practiced
Adonhiramite Rite of the Baron de Tchoudy, ending with the Noachite or Prussian Knight, 13 degrees. (Practiced in Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay and France.)[6][7][8]
Eclectic Rite, in Germany and Switzerland, 1783, 3 degrees (Blue Lodge)[7][11]
Philosophical French Rite, created within the Tolérance lodge of the Grand Orient de France between 1969 and 2002.[12] The rite was officially recognized by the Grand Orient de France in 2002 after over 30 years of development. It has since spread to around a dozen lodges. The rite currently only covers the three symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master).[13][12]
Masonic rites that are believed to no longer be practiced
The G∴L∴N∴F is the third largest Grand Lodge of France and the only one in regularity with the U.G.L.E. it practices:
French Rite
Rectified Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
Emulation Rite
York Rite
Standard Scottish Rite
Italy
Grande Oriente d'Italia (G∴O∴I∴)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
French Rite (Modern Rite)
York Rite
Egyptian Rite
Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (G∴L∴R∴I∴)
Emulation Rite
Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia (S∴G∴L∴I∴)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
York Rite
Gran Loggia d'Italia degli ALAM (G∴L∴d∴I∴)
Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
North America
United States
The
Grand College of Rites focuses on the collection and publication of texts from defunct masonic degrees, and quasi-Masonic rituals used by other fraternities and societies.[37] One of its stated purposes is the prevention, within the larger community of
Freemasons, of the revival or usage of any rituals that are not currently in use in the United States.[38]
Louisiana
Grand Lodge of Louisiana
York Rite (American Rite or Preston/Webb)
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)(Craft Degrees)
District of Columbia
Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (GLDC)
Emulation Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) (Craft Degrees)
York Rite (American Rite)
French Rite (Modern Rite)
McBride Ritual
Ohio
Grand Lodge of Ohio
York Rite (American Rite)
Emulation Rite (Goose and Gridiron Lodge No.1717 with special depensation)
Pennsylvania
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Rite (A version of the Ancient Ritual only practiced in Pennsylvania)
^
abSpieth, Darius A.; Spieth, Darius A. (June 7, 2007). Napoleon's Sorcerers: The Sophisians. University of Delaware Press.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)