List of Masonic rites explained

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]}

The most practiced rite in the world from the Entered Apprentice degree is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.^[4]

Masonic rites

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]}
• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33 degrees)
  • Ancient and Primitive Rite Portuguese Rite ^[9]
• Brazilian Rite
• Irish Rite
• French Rite
• Moorish Rite
• National Mexican Rite
• Primitive Scottish Rite established at Namur in 1770.^[7] (Practiced by some Grand Lodges and worked in exclusivity by the Grande Loge symbolique travaillant au Rite écossais primitif)
• Rectified Scottish Rite
• Standard Scottish Rite
• Rite Français Moderne Rétabli
• Rite of Baldwyn
• Rite of Memphis or Oriental, in 95 degrees.
• Rite of Memphis Misraim or Egyptian Masonry in 99 degrees.
• Rite of Misraim
• Rite Opératif de Salomon
• Schröder Rite
• Swedish Rite
• York Rite
• Martinism Rite, in 10 degrees.
• French or Modern Rite.
• Pennsylvania Rite, Only state in the United States that does not practice the American Rite (Also called Preston/Webb or York Rite)
• Philosophical Scottish Rite, 1796, in 12 degrees. Still practiced in Belgium^{[10] [7]}
• 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

• Ancient Reformed rite^[5]
• Rite of Adoption^[5]
• Rite of Strict Observance^[7]
• Cagliostro Adoption Rite^[5]
• Rite of the Knights of the Two Eagles^[5]
• Amicists Rite.^[14]
• African Architect Rite, 1767.^[15]
• Rite of the Chapter of Clermont, 1754.^[5]
• Chaldean Rite, 3 degrees.
• Fesster Rite, 1765, 9 degrees.^[16]
• Clerks of the Relaxed Observance Rite, 10 Degrees.^[7]
• Rite of Brother Henoch, in 4 degrees.^[7]
• Indian Rite 3 degrees. ^[16]
• Chastannier Rite (Benedict), 1767.^[5]
• Rite of the Negotiates or the sublime Masters of the Luminous Ring. 1780, France, Pythagorean masonic rite, 3 degrees.^[16]
• Rite of the Benevolent Knights of the Holy City of Jerusalem^[5]
• Brothers of the Rose-Croix
• Brotherhood of Moravian brothers of the religious order of Freemasons also called, Order of the mustard seed, 1739
• English Conclave of Templar-Kadosh Rite^[5]
• Primitive Scottish Rite, from Advocate Marchet de Nivelles, in 33 degrees.^[5]
• Rite of the Mother Lodge of Philosophical Scots (Paschalis).^[5]
• Rite of Reformed Scots by Tschoudy, 1766.^[17]
• Rite of Reformed Scots of Saint-Martin, in 7 degrees.^[18]
• Egyptian Rite, as named by Cagliostro, 1782.^[5]
• Rite of Elect Cőens, or Priests, 1754, Martinez Paschalis, 9 degrees.^{[7] [19]}
• Rite of the Elect of the Truth, 1779, 14 degrees in three classes.^{[7] [19]}
• Eons Rite, Zoroastrian Masonry^[5]
• Rite of the Knights of the Polar Star^[5]
• Fessler Rite, 1797, in 9 degrees.^[20]
• Rite of the Brothers^[5]
• Palladian Rite^[5]
• Rite of the Black Brothers^[5]
• Rite of the perfect Egyptian initiates, 7 Degrees, Lyon France, Crota -Repoa.^[16]
• Rite of Universal Harmony, 1782^[5]
• Rite of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes, 1740, Berlin, 17 degrees.^[16]
• Zinnendorf Rite, in 7 degrees, 1770.^[16]
• Heredom Rite, or Perfection, 25 degrees, 1758^[5]
• Rite of the Invisibles^[5]
• Rose Croix Rectified of Schroeder, 1766 in 7 degrees.^[7]
• Hermetic Rite of Avignon
• Rite of Liberty, founded in Paris around 1740^[5]
• Rite of Memphis or Oriental, in 95 degrees^[5]
• Rite of the Decorated Masters (Strict Observance) ^[5]
• Rite of Misraim or Judean, in 90 degrees.^[5]
• French Noahides Rite, (Napoleonic Masonry).^[5]
• Rite of the Templar Orient^[5]
• Haitian rite, 3 degrees, (Blue Lodge)^[16]
• Rite of the Land of Palestine^[5]
• Pernetty Rite, or Enlightened of Avignon, 1760.^{[5] [21]}
• Persian Philosophical Rite, in 7 degrees.^[7]
• Philalethes Rite, or Seekers of Truth, 1773, in 12 degrees.^[22]
• Rite Primitif de Narbonne (Rite of the Primitive Philadelphians of Narbonne), 1779, in 3 degrees.^{[23] [24]}
• Schroepffer Rite (magic, evocations).^[25]
• Sophisians Rite, 1801, in 7 degrees.^[23]
• The Rite of Swedenborg, or Illuminated of Stockholm, in 8 degrees, 1721.^{[26] [27]}
• "Rite de la Vieille Bru" or, of the Faithful Scotchman, from Toulouse, France, 1748, 3 symbolic degrees, 6 upper, 9 total.^{[28] [29] [30]}
• Rite of the Disciples of Hermes.^[31]
• Manichaean Brothers Rite.^[32]
• Pantheists Rite, or Socratic Lodge.^[33]
• Rite of the Knights of the Pure Truth^[5]
• Xerophagists Rite.^{[34] [35]}
• Rite of the Illuminated Zodiac.^[5]

Masonic orders

• Order of the Apocalypse.^[5]
• Order of Noachites, 1757, M. de St. Gelaire.^[5]
• Knight of the Holy City Order.^[5]
• Architects of Africa or African Brotherhood or Chaos Order.^[5]
• Order of the Eagles and the Sun.^[5]
• Assanites Order (The Old Man of the Mountain).^[5]
• Order of Cuchiara or Trowel Order (Italy, 1512).^[5]
• Bonze Order.^[5]
• Cauldron Order (Italy, 1512).^[5]
• Charles XIII Order (Bernadotte, King of Sweden).^[5]
• Knights of Asia Order or Initiated Brothers in 5 degrees.^[5]
• Scandinavian Order.^[5]
• Adepts Order.^[5]
• Knights of the Desert Order.^[5]
• Diamond Order or Invulnerable Knights (17th century).^[5]
• Awakened Order (18th century).^[5]
• Moravian Brothers Order (The Mustard Seed).^[5]
• Grand Duke Order.^[5]
• Lanturlus Order (Instituted in 1771 by the Marquis de Croismarc).^[5]
• Hassanites Order (The Old Man of the Mountain).^[5]
• Illustrious Neapolitan Grand Masters Order.^[5]
• Magicians Order (18th century).^[5]
• Masters of 1804, (Political masonic Order).^[5]
• Palladium Order or Sovereign Council of Wisdom (18th century).^[5]
• Perfect Initiates of Asia Order.^[5]
• Unknown Philosophers Order (In 2 points).^[5]
• Sacred Sophisiros Order.^[5]
• Saint-Joachim Order (Christian Freemasonry, 1760).^[5]
• Seven Sages Order or Companions of Ulysses (17th century).^[5]
• Tobacological Order or Prizers (18th century)^[5]

Masonic academies

• Academy of the Rose, 4 degrees.^[5]
• Russian-Swedish, Alchemical Masonry of Schroder.^[5]
• Academy of the Ancients or Secrets, in Warsaw.^[5]
• Academy Areopagite of the Knights Kadosch.^[5]
• Academy of the Sublime Masters of the Luminous Ring.^[5]
• Academy of the True Masons, in 6 degrees, in Paris, 1861.^[5]

Diffusion of rites (Blue Lodge level)

Europe

France

Grand Orient de France

The Grand Orient de France (GODF), the oldest and largest French Grand Lodge, practices the following rites: ^{[36] [12]}

• French Rite
• Rectified Scottish Rite
• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
• Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm
• Philosophical French Rite.

Grande Loge de France

The Grande Loge de France (GLDF), the second largest Grand Lodge in France practices:

• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Grande Loge Nationale Française

The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF) 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

The Grande Oriente d'Italia (GOI), the oldest and largest Italian Grand Lodge, practices the following rites:

• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
• French Rite (Modern Rite)
• York Rite
• Egyptian Rite

Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia

The Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (GLRI) practices:

• Emulation Rite

Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia

The Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia (SGLI) practices:

• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)
• York Rite

Gran Loggia d'Italia degli ALAM

The Gran Loggia d'Italia degli ALAM (GLdI) practices:

• 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)

See also

• Scottish Rite
• Chamber of Reflection
• Grand College of Rites
• Ancient and Primitive Rite
• French Rite
• National Mexican Rite
• Rectified Scottish Rite
• Rite of Baldwyn
• Ancient and Primitive Rite
• Masonic myths

Notes and References

1. Book: de Hoyos . Arturo . Arturo de Hoyos . 2014 . Masonic Rites and Systems . Bodgan . Henrik . Snoek . Jan A. M. . Handbook of Freemasonry . . . Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion . 8 . 10.1163/9789004273122_020 . 355–377 . 978-90-04-21833-8 . 1874-6691.
2. Web site: Appendant and Concordant Bodies of Freemasonry • Jackson Lodge № 1, F. & A. M. .
3. Web site: Concordant Bodies | Appendant Bodies | Affiliations . 4 December 2020 .
4. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. .
5. Book: Tuileur Général de la Francmaçonnerie ou Manuel de l'Initié . J.-M. Ragon . Collignon, Libraire-Éditeur . 1861 . Paris . French . pp.335-378
6. https://californiafreemason.org/2022/06/27/the-rite-stuff/ "It's been worked in Brazil since the early 19th century."
7. Book: Folger, Robert B., M.D. . The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in Thirty-Three Degrees: Known Hitherto Under the Names of the "Rite of Perfection," "The Rite of Freedom," "The Ancient Scottish Rite," "The Rite of Kilwinning," and Last, as the "Scottish Rite, Ancient and Accepted." A Full and Complete History, with an Appendix Containing Numerous Authentic Documents, Relating to the Origin, Progress, and Establishment of the Rite—Edicts, Circulars, Patents, Registers, and the Opinions of Numerous Authors—Illustrated with Tablets . New York . Published by the Author . 1881 . pp. 48-49
8. https://www.adonhiramita.org.br/rito-adonhiramita?lang=en Currently, the Adonhiramite Rite is practiced in Brazil by all regular and legitimate powers, in Portugal, Uruguay and France.
9. Web site: Rito Português – G ∴ L ∴ U ∴ P ∴ .
10. https://www.gadlu.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NUMERO-17.pdf
11. https://www.adonhiramita.org.br/ritoecletico?lang=en Practiced in Uruguay, Brazil
12. Le Rite Français Philosophique dernier rite Au Sein Du G∴O∴D∴F∴. Jean-Paul. Carreau. June 7, 2011. La chaîne d'union. 55. 1. 28–39. Cairn.info. 10.3917/cdu.055.0028.
13. Le Rite Français Philosophique selon les textes de la loge Tolérance (1970-1985), Cercle Léon Trace, éd. interne (1er et 2ème grades), Paris, 2010.
14. Book: The Bavarian Illuminati: The Rise and Fall of the World's Most Secret Society . 9781644113783 . Forestier . René Le . 15 February 2022 . Simon and Schuster .
15. Web site: Heritage History | Secret Societies of All Ages: Vol 2 by Charles Heckethorn .
16. Book: Précis sur la Franc-Maçonnerie, son origine, son histoire, ses doctrines, etc., et opinions diverses sur cette ancienne et célèbre institution, etc. . César Moreau . Chez l'auteur, rue de Luxembourg, N° 5 . 1855 . Paris. Page pp.16-20
17. Book: Viton, Yves-Max. Les Hauts Grades ou l'amplification des trois premiers degrés. Que sais-je ? . June 7, 2012. Presses Universitaires de France. 71–122. 978-2-13-058195-6 . Cairn.info.
18. Maçons écossais au XVIIIe siècle . 10.3406/ahrf.1969.3783 . 1969 . Chevalier . C.-H. . Annales Historiques de la Révolution Française . 197 . 393–408 .
19. Book: Naudon, Paul. Rites et obédiences. Que sais-je ? . June 7, 2009. Presses Universitaires de France. 18e éd.. 94–118. 978-2-13-052489-2 . Cairn.info.
20. Web site: Masonic Encyclopedia Entry on Fessler, Rite of .
21. Book: Clavel, F. T. B.. Histoire pittoresque de la franc-maçonnerie et des sociétés secrètes anciennes et modernes. Pagnerre, éditeur. 1843. 390 pp. 164, 168.
22. Court de Gébelin Franc-Maçon . 24287905 . Atger . A. . Bulletin Historique et Littéraire (Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français) . 1902 . 51 . 11 . 599–601 .
23. Book: Darius A.. Spieth. Darius A.. Spieth. June 7, 2007. University of Delaware Press.
24. Web site: Le rite primitif des Philadelphes . 28 September 2005 .
25. Book: The Masonic Necromancer: Shifting Identities in the Lives of Johann Georg Schrepfer . Renko Geffarth .
26. Web site: Swedenborgian Rite .
27. Book: Ragon, Jean Marie . Orthodoxie maçonnique . 1853 . French . pp.255-290
28. https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/public/gdcmassbookdig/ancientaccepted00folg/ancientaccepted00folg.pdf p. 47
29. Web site: Sur la piste des Écossais Fidèles . 6 October 2022 .
30. Web site: Bouillon .
31. Web site: 7052-7 : Tradition Hermétique et Franc-Maçonnerie .
32. Book: Niel, Fernand. Le manichéisme. Que sais-je ? . June 7, 2010. Presses Universitaires de France. 18e éd.. 19–32. 978-2-13-057920-5 . Cairn.info.
33. Jacques-Etienne Marconis de Nègre (1795-1868) et le rite de Memphis. André. Combes. June 7, 2022. Chroniques d'histoire maçonnique. 90. 2. 7–20. Cairn.info. 10.3917/chm.090.0007.
34. Web site: Le Temple Mystique Revue de la Franc Maconnerie 1855 09 12 .
35. Web site: Maçonnieke encyclopedie-M..
36. Web site: Les rites au GODF – Grand Orient de France à la Réunion.
37. http://www.grandcollegeofrites.org/index.php Grand College of Rites home page
38. http://www.grandcollegeofrites.org/constitution-of-gcr.php Constitution of the Grand College of Rites