Hierarchy of Freemasons

From About Freemasons

There are many types of hierarchy in Freemasonry. There is an order among masonic lodges – from Grand lodges to smaller lodges and an order to members. Everything has its place and is organized, although no one should understand hierarchy as pertaining to class. Among Masons, there are no Masons that are better than others. The organization is based on brotherhood, and hierarchies exist mainly to organize the lodges and also to give Masons degrees to strive towards.

Hierarchies among individual members

Individual members are organized by degrees. The higher the degree, the more experience a masons has. Although the exact nature of the degree system is somewhat secret, most experts agree that there are 33 degrees of Freemasonry, each with their own title and role:

• 1st: Entered Apprentice
• 2nd: Fellow Craft
• 3rd: Master Mason
• 4th: Secret Master
• 5th: Perfect Master
• 6th: Intimate Secretary
• 7th: Provost and Judge
• 8th: Superintendent of the Building
• 9th: Master Elect of Nine
• 10th: Illustrious Master Elect of Fifteen
• 11th: Sublime Knight (Sometimes referred to as “Chevalier Elect”)
• 12th: Grand Master Architect
• 13th: Royal Arch of Enoch
• 14th: Scottish Knight of Perfection
• 15th: Knight of the Sword and of the East
• 16th: Prince of Jerusalem
• 17th: Knight of the East and West
• 18th: Knight of the Eagle and PeliCan and Sovereign Prince Rose Croix of Heredom
• 19th: Grand Pontiff
• 20th: Venerable Grand Master
• 21st: Patriarch Noachite (Sometimes Called the “Prussian Chevalier”)
• 22nd: Prince of Libanus (also known as “Royal Hatchet”)
• 23rd: Chief of the Tabernacle
• 24th: Prince of the Tabernacle
• 25th: Chevalier of the Brazen Serpent
• 26th: Prince of Mercy
• 27th: Grand Commander of the Temple
• 28th: Knight of the Sun (Sometimes Called the “Prince Adept”)
• 29th: Knight of St Andrew
• 30th: Grand Elected Knight Kadosh (also known as the “Knight of the Black and White Eagle”)
• 31st: Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander
• 32nd: Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
• 33rd: Sovereign Grand Inspector General

Hierarchies Among Lodges

In addition to the hierarchiCal structure of individual Masons, there is an overall structure or organization of Freemasonry. This, too, is based on a hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy are Grand Lodges or Grand Orients. These are the independent bodies that govern Masonry in a given area known as a jurisdiction. In the United States, for example, Grand Lodges exist for every state. These lodges recognize other [Grand Lodge|Grand Lodges]] or Grand Orients and communiCate with loCal lodges. Grand Lodges have the authority to issue Warrants or Charters that authorize loCal lodges to meet and work. At the loCal level, lodges are the groups that accept new members and hold meetings. These lodges must be authorized by Grand Lodges or Grand Orients in order to exist. There are different kinds of lodges – including Lodges of Research, which are only for Master Masons, or Lodges of Instruction, which are designed to help Masons learn about Masonic ritual. Most ordinary Lodges are allowed to initiate members and are organized either by geographic area or special areas of interest or special professions.

Hierarchies in Lodges

Within ordinary lodges, there is also a hierarchy of members. The Worshipful Master is an elected Mason who acts as the President. Senior and Junior Wardens have similar duties as Vice Presidents of most organizations. Most ordinary lodges also elect a Secretary and Treasurer. All organization select a Tyler, also known as a Tiler. This office is either appointed by the Master or elected, depending on the policy of the lodge. The Tyler guards the lodge room door during meetings. Some lodges may also elect or appoint Deacons, Stewards, and a Chaplain.