Freemasonry: The World's Largest Secret Society

Introduction: The Brotherhood That Built Nations

Freemasonry is the world's largest and oldest fraternal organization—with an estimated 2-6 million members worldwide, operating openly in nearly every country. Yet it remains shrouded in mystery, bound by oaths of secrecy, and the subject of endless conspiracy theories.

From George Washington to Mozart, from the Founding Fathers to modern celebrities, Freemasons have shaped history while maintaining their rituals, symbols, and teachings as closely guarded secrets. But what do Masons actually do? What are the three degrees? Why the square and compass? And is Freemasonry a religion, a cult, or simply a men's club with fancy aprons?

This is the sixth article in our Secret Societies series. We now explore the origins, structure, symbols, and influence of Freemasonry—the secret society that hides in plain sight.

Origins: From Stone to Symbol

The Operative Mason Theory

Claim: Freemasonry evolved from medieval stonemason guilds

Evidence for:

• Masonic symbols are stonemason tools (square, compass, level, plumb)
• Degrees reference building Solomon's Temple
• Medieval mason guilds had secrets (architectural techniques)
• Guilds had initiation rituals and oaths
• Transition from "operative" (actual masons) to "speculative" (symbolic) documented in Scotland (1600s)

Timeline:

• Medieval period: Stonemason guilds protect trade secrets
• 1600s: Non-masons ("gentlemen") begin joining lodges
• 1717: First Grand Lodge formed in London (speculative Masonry)

Alternative Origin Theories

Knights Templar lineage:

• Claim: Templars fled to Scotland after 1307, became Freemasons
• Evidence: Scottish Rite has Templar degrees
• Problem: No historical documentation, 400-year gap
• Verdict: Romantic myth, not historical fact

Ancient Egypt/Solomon's Temple:

• Claim: Masonry preserves ancient mystery school wisdom
• Evidence: Symbolism references Egypt, Solomon, Hiram Abiff
• Problem: No continuous lineage provable
• Verdict: Symbolic/spiritual connection, not literal descent

Rosicrucian influence:

• Claim: Rosicrucian ideas influenced early Freemasonry
• Evidence: Similar symbolism, Enlightenment ideals, timing
• Verdict: Likely influenced philosophy, not direct origin

The Birth of Modern Freemasonry (1717)

The Grand Lodge of England

June 24, 1717: Four London lodges united to form Grand Lodge of England

Significance:

• Formalized structure and rituals
• Created governing body
• Standardized degrees
• Began rapid expansion

Early leaders:

• Anthony Sayer (first Grand Master)
• Reverend James Anderson (wrote Constitutions of the Free-Masons, 1723)
• Reverend John Theophilus Desaguliers (scientist, promoted Masonry)

Spread Across the World

1700s:

• France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands
• American colonies (1730s)
• Caribbean, India, Africa (following British Empire)

1800s-1900s:

• Global expansion
• Peak membership: 1950s-60s (4+ million in US alone)
• Decline since 1960s, but still millions worldwide

The Three Degrees: The Blue Lodge

1° Entered Apprentice (EA)

Symbolism: Birth, youth, beginning of journey

Ritual elements:

• Candidate blindfolded ("hoodwinked")
• Led into lodge, challenged
• Oath taken on Volume of Sacred Law (Bible, Quran, etc.)
• Secrets revealed: grip (handshake), password, signs
• Apron presented (white lambskin)

Lesson: Self-knowledge, moral foundation, beginning of enlightenment

Symbol: Rough ashlar (unpolished stone = unrefined self)

2° Fellowcraft (FC)

Symbolism: Adulthood, education, intellectual development

Ritual elements:

• Ascent of winding staircase (symbolic journey)
• Seven liberal arts and sciences taught
• Middle chamber of Solomon's Temple
• Wages received (knowledge)

Lesson: Importance of education, science, reason

Symbol: Perfect ashlar (polished stone = refined self)

3° Master Mason (MM)

Symbolism: Death, resurrection, immortality of soul

Ritual elements:

• Hiram Abiff legend (master builder of Solomon's Temple)
• Hiram murdered by three ruffians for refusing to reveal secrets
• Candidate symbolically "dies" as Hiram
• "Raised" from symbolic grave (resurrection)
• Lion's Paw grip, substitute secrets given

Lesson: Mortality, fidelity, hope of resurrection

Symbol: Trowel (spreading cement of brotherly love)

Beyond the Blue Lodge: Appendant Bodies

Scottish Rite

Degrees: 4° through 33° (29 additional degrees)

Structure:

• Lodge of Perfection (4°-14°)
• Chapter of Rose Croix (15°-18°)
• Council of Kadosh (19°-30°)
• Consistory (31°-32°)
• 33° (honorary, by invitation only)

Themes: Philosophy, morality, Templar legends, Rosicrucian symbolism

Note: 33° does not mean "higher" than 3° Master Mason—it's additional, not superior

York Rite

Three bodies:

• Chapter (Royal Arch): Completion of Master Mason degree
• Council (Cryptic Masonry): Secret vault under Solomon's Temple
• Commandery (Knights Templar): Christian-only, Templar symbolism

Shriners

Full name: Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.)

Requirements: Must be 32° Scottish Rite or Knights Templar

Known for:

• Red fez hats
• Shriners Hospitals for Children (charity)
• Parades and fun (less serious than Blue Lodge)

Masonic Symbols: Decoding the Language

Square and Compass

Most iconic Masonic symbol

Square:

• Tool for measuring right angles
• Symbolizes morality, virtue, living "on the square"
• Earth, matter, body

Compass:

• Tool for drawing circles
• Symbolizes boundaries, self-control, circumscribing passions
• Heaven, spirit, soul

Together: Balance of matter and spirit, earth and heaven

"G" in center:

• God (most common interpretation)
• Geometry (sacred science)
• Gnosis (knowledge)

All-Seeing Eye

• Eye of Providence (God watching over humanity)
• Divine omniscience
• Conscience, inner vision
• Also used in Christianity (not exclusively Masonic)

Note: On US dollar bill (1935), but US was not founded by Masons as conspiracy (only some Founders were Masons)

Pillars: Boaz and Jachin

• Two pillars at entrance of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:21)
• Boaz: "In strength" (left pillar)
• Jachin: "He will establish" (right pillar)
• Symbolize duality, balance, gateway to sacred space

Checkered Floor

• Black and white squares
• Duality: good/evil, light/dark, life/death
• Mosaic pavement of Solomon's Temple
• Journey through opposites to unity

Working Tools

• 24-inch gauge: Dividing time wisely
• Common gavel: Removing rough edges (vices)
• Plumb: Uprightness, integrity
• Level: Equality of all men
• Trowel: Spreading brotherly love

Famous Freemasons

Founding Fathers (USA)

• George Washington: Master Mason, first US President
• Benjamin Franklin: Grand Master of Pennsylvania
• Paul Revere: Grand Master of Massachusetts
• At least 9 signers of Declaration of Independence
• At least 13 signers of Constitution

Note: Not all Founders were Masons (Jefferson, Adams were not)

Artists and Musicians

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Composed The Magic Flute (Masonic opera)
• Mark Twain: Writer
• Oscar Wilde: Writer
• Rudyard Kipling: Writer

Political Leaders

• 14 US Presidents (Washington, both Roosevelts, Truman, Ford, etc.)
• Winston Churchill (UK Prime Minister)
• Simón Bolívar (South American liberator)

Modern Celebrities

• Buzz Aldrin (astronaut)
• Shaquille O'Neal (basketball)
• Many others (membership often private)

Women and Freemasonry

Traditional Freemasonry: Men Only

Reasons given:

• Tradition (medieval guilds were male)
• Ancient Landmarks forbid women
• Separate spheres philosophy

Controversy: Seen as sexist by critics, defended as tradition by Masons

Women's Masonic Organizations

Order of the Eastern Star:

• For women related to Master Masons (wives, daughters, etc.)
• Founded 1850s
• Largest fraternal organization open to women
• Not "true" Freemasonry (not recognized by Grand Lodges)

Co-Masonry (Le Droit Humain):

• Mixed-gender Freemasonry
• Founded 1893 in France
• Admits men and women equally
• Not recognized by mainstream Grand Lodges

Women's Grand Lodges:

• Women-only Masonic lodges
• Exist in France, UK, others
• Practice same rituals as men
• Not recognized by mainstream Masonry

Freemasonry vs. Conspiracy Theories

Common Accusations

• World domination: Masons control governments
• Satanism: Worship Lucifer or practice occult
• Anti-Christian: Undermine Christianity
• New World Order: Planning one-world government

Masonic Responses

Not a religion:

• Requires belief in Supreme Being ("Great Architect")
• But does not specify which religion
• Members pray to their own God
• No Masonic theology or salvation doctrine

Not Satanic:

• Requires belief in God (Satanism doesn't)
• Promotes morality and charity
• Accusations based on misunderstanding symbols

Not political conspiracy:

• Forbids discussion of politics and religion in lodge
• Members have diverse political views
• No coordinated political agenda

Why Conspiracy Theories Persist

• Secrecy breeds suspicion
• Influential members (politicians, businessmen)
• Symbols misunderstood (eye, pyramid)
• Historical opposition from Catholic Church
• Psychological need to explain power structures

Conclusion: The Fraternity in Plain Sight

Freemasonry is the world's largest secret society—yet it operates openly, with lodges in nearly every city, websites explaining (some) teachings, and millions of members living ordinary lives. The "secrets" are ritual details and recognition signs, not world domination plans.

At its core, Freemasonry is a fraternity that uses symbolism, ritual, and moral teachings to make "good men better." Whether it succeeds is debatable, but the conspiracy theories vastly overestimate both its power and its sinister intent.

In the next article, we will explore Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: The Society That Changed Magic. We will examine how this Victorian occult order synthesized Kabbalah, tarot, astrology, and alchemy into a complete magical system—and how it influenced modern witchcraft and ceremonial magic.

The square and compass endure. The secrets remain. And the brotherhood continues.

For the Craft that builds in stone and spirit. For the brothers who meet on the level. For the light that shines in darkness. So mote it be.