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Masonic Degrees Explained

Understanding the three Blue Lodge degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Plus Scottish Rite, York Rite, and other appendant bodies.

Foundation

The Blue Lodge Degrees

Every Freemason's journey begins here. These three degrees form the foundation of all Freemasonry.

Every Freemason's journey begins in a Blue Lodge (also called a Craft Lodge or Symbolic Lodge). The Blue Lodge confers three degrees, and these form the foundation of all Freemasonry. No matter how many additional degrees a Mason may later earn, the Blue Lodge degrees remain the most important. The 3rd degree (Master Mason) is considered by many to be the highest degree in Freemasonry—all other degrees are supplemental rather than superior.

1
Entered Apprentice
E.A.
Your introduction to Masonic principles and the beginning of transformation

Core Themes

  • Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth
  • Potential and the beginning of work
  • Searching for light (knowledge)
  • The rough stone being shaped
Working Tools

The 24-inch gauge symbolizes the proper division of time. The common gavel represents the shaping of character and removal of excess.

2
Fellow Craft
F.C.
Education, learning, and intellectual development on your ascent

Core Themes

  • The liberal arts and sciences
  • Intellectual and moral progress
  • The winding staircase of knowledge
  • Equality among all men
Working Tools

The square symbolizes morality. The level teaches equality of all men. The plumb represents rectitude and vertical integrity of character.

3
Master Mason
M.M.
The culmination: integrity, mortality, and the soul's immortality

Core Themes

  • The Hiram Abiff legend
  • Integrity in the face of pressure
  • The value of reputation
  • Philosophical immortality
Working Tools

The trowel symbolizes the spreading of cement—brotherly love, unity, and fraternal bonds that hold the organization together.

After receiving the Master Mason degree, you become a full member of the lodge with voting rights and all privileges of membership. Most jurisdictions require a minimum waiting period between degrees to allow for reflection and learning. Many Masons go on to explore additional degrees in Appendant bodies like the Scottish Rite and York Rite, but these are entirely optional.

Advancement

Understanding Proficiency Requirements

Different jurisdictions have different expectations for demonstrating your knowledge.

Memorization

Learning and reciting specific portions of the degree work, called catechism or monitor work, including signs, grips, and words.

Oral Examination

Passing an oral examination demonstrating knowledge of the degree's teachings and symbolism with a committee.

Written Testing

Some jurisdictions use written tests to assess proficiency. These may be open-book or closed-book depending on the lodge.

Waived Requirements

A few jurisdictions have relaxed proficiency requirements in recent years, though most maintain some form of assessment.

Proficiency requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some states are strict and demand memorization of lengthy passages, while others have minimal requirements. Your lodge will provide study materials and often assigns a coach to help you prepare. The goal is to ensure you understand the degree's teachings, not to create an impossible hurdle.

Timeline

Time Between Degrees

Most jurisdictions follow similar patterns, though some vary.

Minimum Waiting Period

2-4 weeks between EA and FC, and between FC and MM. Some states require no waiting if proficiency is demonstrated immediately.

Extended Jurisdictions

A few states require 30-90 days between degrees to ensure candidates truly absorb the lessons and demonstrate commitment.

Total Journey

Most candidates progress from EA to Master Mason in 3-6 months. Those excelling at proficiency may complete faster; others may take 6-9 months.

State Examples

California: No minimum if proficient. New York: 4 weeks. Texas: 30 days. Ohio: 4 weeks. Check your state for specifics.

Beyond Blue Lodge

Appendant Bodies & Additional Degrees

After becoming a Master Mason, the path to further knowledge opens up.

After becoming a Master Mason, you have completed the "Blue Lodge" or "Craft" degrees. However, Freemasonry extends far beyond this. Appendant bodies offer additional degrees that supplement and expand upon Blue Lodge teachings. Joining these is entirely optional—you can remain active in just your Blue Lodge if you wish—but many Masons choose to explore further.

Scottish Rite

Degrees 4-32 & 33. The Scottish Rite confers degrees 4 through 32, plus the honorary 33rd degree. These degrees expand on the philosophical teachings of the Blue Lodge and explore additional esoteric concepts. The Scottish Rite is known for its beautiful theatrical degrees and its emphasis on philosophy and education.

Structure: Typically organized into Bodies (Lodges of Perfection, Chapters of Rose Croix, Councils of Kadosh, Consistories). Most Masons attend specific degrees that interest them rather than every single degree.

Time commitment: Scottish Rite requires dues and attendance, but is far less intensive than many expect. Most Masons attend degrees a few times per year.

York Rite

Including Royal Arch Masonry. The York Rite includes three branches: Chapter (Royal Arch Masonry), Council (Cryptic Masonry), and Commandery (Knights Templar). Many Masons consider the Royal Arch degree (the 4th degree) to be the natural completion of the Master Mason degree, as it resolves elements left unfinished in the MM degree.

Royal Arch: This is the most popular York Rite degree. The degree features the discovery of lost knowledge and has a profound philosophical message about seeking truth. Many Masons report it provides important completion to their Master Mason experience.

Cryptic & Templar: Councils offer Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master degrees. Commanderies confer knighthood degrees including the Order of the Temple, exploring concepts of honor and chivalry.

Other Organizations

Shrine (Mystic Shrine): Known for fun, social activities and famous children's hospitals. Recognizable by their red fez hats. Less focused on ritual, more on fellowship and charity.

Eastern Star (Order of the Eastern Star): One of the oldest organizations open to both men and women. Requires at least one family member to be a Master Mason. Active in charitable work.

Youth Bodies: DeMolay (boys) and Job's Daughters (girls) ages 9-20. These teach leadership, character, and Masonic principles in age-appropriate formats.

Other Specialty Bodies: Grotto, Tall Cedars, Veiled Prophets, and many others—each with its own focus and culture.

Important Distinction: Appendant degrees do not outrank the Master Mason degree. In the Blue Lodge, a Master Mason is equal to every other Master Mason, regardless of how many additional degrees they may hold. The Scottish Rite 33rd and all other degrees are supplementary—they add knowledge and experience but don't change your standing in the Blue Lodge.
Side Degrees

Other Masonic Bodies

Beyond the main branches, Freemasonry includes many specialty organizations, each with its own culture, degree system, and focus:

Each of these organizations offers many avenues for continued learning, fellowship, and charitable work within the broader Masonic fraternity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is proficiency in Freemasonry? +
Proficiency is a requirement in many jurisdictions to demonstrate knowledge of the previous degree before advancing. This typically involves memorizing and reciting portions of the degree work, or passing a written or oral examination. Requirements vary significantly by state.
How long between each degree? +
Most jurisdictions require a minimum waiting period of 2-4 weeks between degrees. Some require demonstrated proficiency. The total time from EA to Master Mason is typically 3-6 months, though it can be shorter or longer depending on proficiency requirements and lodge schedules.
Do I have to memorize ritual? +
Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Some states strictly require candidates to memorize and recite portions of the degree work. Others allow open-book examinations or have reduced requirements. Your lodge will help you prepare and will provide study materials and coaching.
What are the working tools of each degree? +
EA: 24-inch gauge and common gavel. FC: Square, level, and plumb. MM: All previous tools plus the trowel. Each tool carries symbolic meaning related to that degree's lessons.
Is the 33rd degree the highest in Freemasonry? +
The 33rd degree is the highest in the Scottish Rite specifically, but it does not outrank the 3rd degree Master Mason in the Blue Lodge. All Master Masons are equal in the lodge. The 33rd is an honorary degree conferred for exceptional service.
What is the difference between Blue Lodge and appendant bodies? +
The Blue Lodge (Craft Lodge) confers the three foundational degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Appendant bodies like the Scottish Rite and York Rite offer additional degrees that supplement and expand on Blue Lodge teachings. You must be a Master Mason to join appendant bodies, and membership is optional.
Can I join Scottish Rite and York Rite at the same time? +
Yes, many Masons are active in both Scottish Rite and York Rite simultaneously. They are completely separate organizations with their own meetings, degree schedules, and dues. You can join one, the other, both, or neither—it's entirely up to you.
What is the Royal Arch degree? +
The Royal Arch degree is the 4th degree, offered through York Rite Royal Arch Masonry (also called Chapter). Many Masons consider it the natural completion of the Master Mason degree, as the degree narrative resolves unfinished business from the MM degree. It's the most popular York Rite degree.
How much time does Freemasonry require? +
As an Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft, you'll attend degree nights and study proficiency material, typically 5-10 hours per month. As a Master Mason in a Blue Lodge, you might attend 1-2 lodge meetings per month (2-3 hours each). If you join appendant bodies, that's additional but optional. Most Masons balance it alongside other commitments.
Why does the Master Mason degree tell the Hiram Abiff legend? +
The Hiram Abiff legend has been central to Freemasonry for over 300 years. It teaches lessons about integrity, reputation, the value of keeping sacred commitments, and philosophical concepts about the immortality of the soul. The character of Hiram Abiff represents the ideal Mason—a skilled craftsman of the highest character who faces impossible circumstances with honor.

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