|
LODGE
OF PERFECTION
|
4th
Degree -
Secret Master |
Duty,
reflection and study are the gateway
to opportunity, as such one honors
those relationships to God, family,
country and Masonry. The apron of the
4th degree is white and black, with a
letter "Z" and all-seeing
eye. The jewel of this degree is an
ivory key with the letter
"Z" on the wards. The
teachings: secrecy, obedience and
fidelity. |
5th
Degree -
Perfect Master |
Duty,
reflection and study are the gateway
to opportunity, as such one honors
those relationships to God, family,
country and Masonry. The apron of the
4th degree is white and black, with a
letter "Z" and all-seeing
eye. The jewel of this degree is an
ivory key with the letter
"Z" on the wards. The
teachings: secrecy, obedience and
fidelity. |
6th
Degree -
Intimate Secretary |
In
this degree one should expand their
knowledge of duty, charity and
toleration. We are instructed to
reshape ourselves and our thinking
into charity, self-control, and
success i.e. to be a peacemaker. The
apron of the 6th degree is white and
red, with Hebrew letters YOD HEH in
the center and a small triangle
containing the Hebrew letters
(clockwise from top) BETH, NUN, and
SHIN. The gold triangle with the same
three letters inscribed is the jewel
that represents this degree. |
7th
Degree -
Provost & Judge |
We
learn that impartial justice protects
person, property, happiness and
reputation. We are instructed to judge
with patience and impartially. The
apron of the 7th degree is white,
edged with red, with a key and five
rosettes. The jewel is a golden key. |
8th
Degree -
Intendant of the Building |
We
should strive for perfection by using
the great principles of "God's
inherent love, charity, morality and
kindness". The apron of the 8th
degree is white, with red and green,
with a balance, a nine-pointed star,
and a triangle with the Hebrew letters
BETH (for Ben-Khurim), YOU (for
Jakinah), and ALEPH (for Achar). The
jewel of this Degree is a gold
triangle with the same three letters. |
9th
Degree -
Elu of the Nine |
Truth,
candor and generosity; the foundation
of Scottish Rite Masonry is most
reflected in this degree. We should
use these truths to shape our lives
and conduct. The apron of the 9th
degree is white, lined with black, and
sprinkled with blood, with an arm
holding a dagger and a severed head
held by the hair. The jewel of this
degree is a dagger, hilt of gold and
blade of silver. |
10th
Degree -
Elu of the Fifteen |
This
degree teaches us to be tolerant and
respect the opinions of others.
Freedoms of political and spiritual
ideologies should be shared by all.
The apron of the 10th degree is white,
with a black flap, and with three
arch-shaped gates - over each a head
on a spike. The jewel of this degree
is a dagger as in the 9th degree. |
11th
Degree -
Elu of the Twelve |
This
degree teaches sympathy. We should be
compassionate to our brother Masons
and to all mankind as well. The apron
of the 11th degree is white, lined
with black, with a flaming heart in
the center. The jewel being a dagger
suspended from a black cordon
inscribed with the words "Vincere
aut Mori" the pledge "that
you will rather die than betray the
cause of the people, or be overcome
through your own fear or fault." |
12th
Degree -
Master Architect |
This
degree teaches faith in morality and
virtue and in God. "Life is what
each man makes of it; the optimist
turns a trial into a blessing. The
apron of the 12th degree consists of a
white outer shell, lined with blue and
gold (symbolizing the Craft degrees),
with a protractor, plain scale,
sector, and compasses. The jewel is a
heptagonal medal of gold. |
13th
Degree -
Royal Arch of Solomon |
Liberty;
in our mind and our hearts, motivated
by duty and honor are the lessons of
this degree. The apron worn is purple,
bordered with white, and with the
"Enochian delta" (hexagram
with inscribed Tetragrammation) in the
center. The jewel comprises a circular
medal of gold. |
14th
Degree -
Perfect Elu |
This
degree teaches us to reflect and
scrutinize oneself. We should strive
to be true to ourselves and our God.
The apron being of white silk,
bordered in gold, with the Ineffable
Delta in the Center is truly
emblematical of the degree. The jewel
of the 14th Degree is split; one being
a quadrant (compass open to ninety
degrees) topped by a crown and with a
nine-pointed star on the obverse, the
other being a five-pointed blazing
star (with the Tetragrammaton) on the
reverse. The compass is opened on a
segment of a circle, inscribed with
the numbers 3, 5, 7, 9. |
|
CHAPTER
OF ROSE CROIX
|
15th
Degree -
Knight of the East |
Fidelity
to obligations and perseverance of
purpose under difficulties and
discouragement are the lessons of this
degree. The striking crimson velvet
apron of this degree is edged with
green, having a bleeding head above
two crossed swords, and a triangle
(top point to the left) with three
interlaced triangles inside it. The
jewel is three golden concentric
triangles encompassing two crossed
swords. |
16th
Degree -
Prince of Jerusalem |
We
learn "heroism of patience, the
nobility of self-sacrifice" and
compassionate judgment, along with
charity, fidelity and brotherhood.
This crimson apron is edged in gold
and aurora-color, and with a square,
shield, Delta (with three YODs),
balance and a hand of justice. The
jewel worn is a mother-of-pearl
lozenge with a hand holding a balance
in equipoise; under it a sword with
five stars surrounding the point. On
the left is a Hebrew D, on the right
is a Hebrew Z. |
17th
Degree -
Knight of the East & West |
The
wisdom of this degree is that loyalty
to God is man's primary allegiance and
the temporal governments not founded
upon God and His righteousness will
inevitably fall. The apron worn is of
yellow satin, with crimson and gold,
and with a sword and Tetractys (of the
Tetragrammaton) on it. The jewel is a
heptagon of half silver and half gold,
with crossed swords on a balance on
the obverse and a lamb on the Book of
Seven Seals on the reverse. The jewel
is hung from a double order - one
black (left-to-right) and one white
(right-to-left), representing good
versus evil. A gold coronet is also
presented. |
18th
Degree -
Knight Rose Croix |
This
degree emphasizes that life and its
strength come from God. The rose
signifies the dawn and the cross is a
sacred symbol of antiquity in many
cultures. One is also taught to be
tolerant of others errors and their
faults. The apron worn is of white
leather or satin, bordered in red,
with a skull and cross-bones, a red
passion cross, and three red rosettes.
The grand jewel is a gold compass open
a quarter circle. A rose-cross is
between the legs of the compass and
under it is a pelican, tearing its
breast to feed its seven young on the
obverse and an eagle with wings
extended on the reverse. On the circle
are the letters I.N.R.I. |
|
COUNCIL
OF KADOSH
|
19th
Degree -
Grand Pontiff |
The
lessons of the 19° teach us that good
will triumph over evil, that the human
intellect cannot measure the designs
of God and that if lived properly,
this life is a bridge to eternal life.
In the context of this degree, the
word pontiff does not refer to
the leader of the Roman Catholic
Church but derives from two latin
words: ponti, meaning
'bridge' and facere, 'to make';
hence, pontiff means 'bridge builder' |
20th
Degree -
Master Of The Symbolic Lodge |
The
lessons of the 20° teach us that
truth, justice and toleration are
indispensable qualities for a Master
of the Lodge and that example is the
best teaching method known. |
| 21st
Degree - Noachite, Or Prussian
Knight |
We
learn, in the 21°, that the downfall
of evil is certain. A free and
independent judiciary is necessary to
human progress and that journalism
should be fair, just and responsible. |
22nd
Degree -
Knight Royal Axe, Prince Of Libanus |
The
lesson of the 22° is simply that work
is the mission of man. |
23rd
Degree -
Chief Of The Tabernacle |
The
lessons of the 23° teach us that
simple faith is wiser than vain
philosophy and that a society's
concept of the Deity and the universe
are consistent with its development. |
24th
Degree -
Prince Of The Tabernacle |
The
lessons of the 24° teach us of the
power of faith in the Deity and his
promises. They teach us that the
soul is immortal and that there is
one, true God, who is pure, absolute
intellect and existence. |
25th
Degree -
Knight Of The Brazen Serpent |
The
25° teaches us that man is composed
of the flesh, the soul and the
intellect. Man is a reflection of the
Divine and that we should not weary
God with petitions. |
26th
Degree -
Prince Of Mercy |
In
the 26° we learn that the trinity of
Deity belongs to no single religion.
The truths of Masonry are contained
within the religions of the world. |
27th
Degree -
Knight Commander Of The Temple |
We
are taught in the 27° that Masonry is
practical and requires its members to
be actively involved in life. We also
learn that virtue and duty have been
the same in all times. |
28th
Degree -
Knight Of The Sun |
The
lessons of the 28° teach us that
nature reveals a power and wisdom and
continually points to God, that the
visible is the manifestation of the
invisible. We also learn that, in the
universe, two opposite forces provide
balance, and that there is no death,
only change. We also learn that
Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever
learning, but never arriving at the
ideal truth and that the moral code of
Masonry is more extensive that that of
philosophy. |
29th
Degree -
Scottish Knight Of Saint Andrew |
The
29° teaches us that ideals and
institutions wax and wane in the great
cycle of time which is but change. |
30th
Degree -
Knight Kadosh |
The
lessons of the 30° teach us that we
should arm ourselves with faith in
God, love toward our fellow men and
knowledge. We also learn that great
examples are the noblest legacies from
the past; they enrich a nation more
than wealth or power. |
|
CONSISTORY
|
31st
Degree -
Inspector Inquisitor |
In
this degree the apprentice learns
prayerful self-examination. The
mistakes today should not be committed
tomorrow. Simply, the daily look at
ones self to learn to live with the
future. No apron is worn in the
Supreme Tribunal, but the traditional
apron displayed is of pure white
lambskin with a Teutonic Cross of
black and silver embroidered upon the
flap. The jewel is a silver Teutonic
cross. The jewel is suspended from a
white collar, with a gold triangle
with a "31" inside it. |
32nd
Degree -
Master of the Royal Secret |
The
lessons taught in this degree are that
genuine brotherhood requires mutual
regard, opinion, esteem and charity.
We always look for the good in all,
make allowances for others'
shortcomings. We trust the Supreme
Architect to lead us to friendship,
morality and brotherly love. The apron
worn in this degree is white, lined in
black, with a double-headed eagle and
a plan of the Camp of the Princes. The
jewel worn is a golden Teutonic Cross.
In the center are the letters XXXII,
surrounded by a green wreath. The cap
of a Master of the Royal Secret is
black silk with a black band trimmed
in gold. In the center front is a
double-headed eagle emblem with a
rayed equilateral triangle above in
gold. The triangle is red, has 32° in
its center, and is trimmed with gold. |
