Difference between revisions of "Summary of the different rites"
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(Create sourced overview of selected rites, jurisdictional differences and Craft workings; no ritual text) |
(Add Memphis-Misraim to the comparison of rites with jurisdiction-specific sources) |
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| '''French Rite''' | | '''French Rite''' | ||
| The Grand Orient de France describes the French Rite as the rite used by the majority of its lodges, in both traditional and modern forms. It also permits other rites, including the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Rectified Scottish Rite. This is an example of several rites being practised within one governing body.<ref name="godf">Grand Orient de France, [https://godf.org/rejoindre-le-godf/ Rejoindre le GODF], discussion of rites. Accessed 24 September 2026.</ref> | | The Grand Orient de France describes the French Rite as the rite used by the majority of its lodges, in both traditional and modern forms. It also permits other rites, including the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Rectified Scottish Rite. This is an example of several rites being practised within one governing body.<ref name="godf">Grand Orient de France, [https://godf.org/rejoindre-le-godf/ Rejoindre le GODF], discussion of rites. Accessed 24 September 2026.</ref> | ||
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| + | | '''[[Memphis-Misraim|Memphis-Misraïm]]''' | ||
| + | | Related Egyptian Masonic systems with several degree scales and governing bodies. The Grand Orient de France lists the rite among its workings;<ref name="godf" /> its Grand Ordre Égyptien describes a 33-degree higher-degree system.<ref name="goe">[https://grandordreegyptien.net/index.php Grand Ordre Égyptien du Grand Orient de France, official home page, description of its 33-degree system]. Accessed 25 September 2026.</ref> See [[Degrees and organisation of Memphis-Misraim]] for historical numbering and [[Memphis-Misraim organisations and recognition]] for jurisdictional differences. | ||
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Latest revision as of 11:46, 25 September 2026
A Masonic rite is a system of degrees and associated practices. The term covers arrangements with different forms of government: the Swedish Rite brings its degrees together within one Order, whereas the American York Rite groups several separately governed bodies. A rite's name alone therefore does not identify a single worldwide organisation.[1][2]
Selected rites
The examples below describe particular jurisdictions. They are not an exhaustive list, and their degree numbers are not equivalent ranks in a common hierarchy.
| Rite | Structure and jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite | A system numbered from 1 to 33. The Supreme Council for England and Wales accepts the three Craft degrees as equivalents of its first three degrees and does not initiate candidates into Freemasonry. Candidates enter a Rose Croix chapter at the 18th degree, with degrees 4 to 17 conferred in abbreviated form. The organisation and presentation of degrees differ between jurisdictions.[3] See History of the Scottish Rite and Scottish Rite degrees 4 to 17. |
| York Rite | In the United States, this commonly groups Royal Arch chapters, Cryptic councils and Knights Templar commanderies, each with its own government.[2] The Grand Encampment's membership description requires Templars to be Master Masons and Royal Arch Masons; membership of a Royal and Select Masters council is also required in some jurisdictions. Its Christian requirement belongs to Templary and should not be applied indiscriminately to every York Rite body.[4] |
| Swedish Rite | A Christian system with ten degrees: St John's lodges work I-III, St Andrew's lodges IV-VI, and chapters VII-X. An eleventh degree is reserved chiefly for Grand Lodge officers. These divisions form one Order under its Grand Master.[1] The rite is practised in Sweden and Finland and by the Grand Lodges of Denmark, Iceland and Norway.[5] |
| French Rite | The Grand Orient de France describes the French Rite as the rite used by the majority of its lodges, in both traditional and modern forms. It also permits other rites, including the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Rectified Scottish Rite. This is an example of several rites being practised within one governing body.[6] |
| Memphis-Misraïm | Related Egyptian Masonic systems with several degree scales and governing bodies. The Grand Orient de France lists the rite among its workings;[6] its Grand Ordre Égyptien describes a 33-degree higher-degree system.[7] See Degrees and organisation of Memphis-Misraim for historical numbering and Memphis-Misraim organisations and recognition for jurisdictional differences. |
Rites and Craft workings
Emulation is a working of the Craft degrees, rather than a further series of degrees beyond Master Mason. Its practice is maintained by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, founded in 1823.[8] English Craft lodges use several recognised workings; Emulation is not the sole form accepted by the United Grand Lodge of England.[9]
Additional degrees provide further Masonic study or membership of another order. Their numbering should not be read as a ladder of authority over Craft lodges: the Scottish Rite's Southern Jurisdiction itself states that no Masonic degree is more important than Master Mason.[10] For the separately governed orders commonly encountered in England and Wales, see The Appendant Degrees.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Swedish Order of Freemasons, The Swedish Rite. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 YorkRite.org, What is a York Rite Mason?, section on the component bodies. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Supreme Council for England and Wales, About Us and Joining Rose Croix. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, About. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Swedish Order of Freemasons, Who We Are. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Grand Orient de France, Rejoindre le GODF, discussion of rites. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Grand Ordre Égyptien du Grand Orient de France, official home page, description of its 33-degree system. Accessed 25 September 2026.
- ↑ Emulation Lodge of Improvement, History and Emulation Ritual. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Charles Hopkinson-Woolley, Warmest of welcomes, United Grand Lodge of England, 1 September 2021. Accessed 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed 24 September 2026.
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