A Rite, within the context of Freemasonry, is a comprehensive system of degrees that can 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. A rite must encompass the first three blue lodge craft degrees, either as degrees within the rite or as a prerequisite for joining the rite. Rites impart Masonic teachings and lessons throughout a Mason's journey.
Authority and control Masonic rites are usually under the control of Grand Lodges for the first three degrees then under the control of a concordant body for any upper degrees.
The most practiced rite in the world from the Entered Apprentice degree is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
Masonic rites Some Masonic degree systems no longer exist, and others continue to be in use. In his 1861 book , Jean-Marie Ragon lists 52 Masonic Rites and over 1400 degrees. pp.335-378
Extant rites Rite Name Degrees Notable Regions Year Established Notes Adonhiramite Rite 13 (Traditional) / 33 (Modern) Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay, France 1781 Originally 13 degrees ending with Noachite or Prussian Knight. In Brazil, it was later expanded to a 33-degree system. Has been worked in Brazil since the early 19th century. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite 33 Worldwide 1801 Most widely practiced Masonic rite globally in the higher degrees. Ancient and Primitive Rite 33 Multiple regions 1872 Formulated by John Yarker. A 33-degree reduction of the historic Egyptian-influenced Rite of Memphis. Portuguese Rite 3 Portugal 1882 National rite of Portuguese Free-Masonry, primarily focused on the three symbolic degrees. Brazilian Rite 33 Brazil 1914 Created by Lauro Sodré. It incorporates Brazilian national symbols, history, and civic duties into its philosophical lectures. Irish Rite 3 Ireland, Worldwide Traditional symbolic working of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. French Rite (or Modern/Premiere Rite) 7 Worldwide 1725 (the ritual) 1783-1786 (Codified) The French Rite is the principal rite of French Free-Masonry. Recognized as the oldest active rite practiced worldwide, it comprises three symbolic degrees and four higher philosophical orders. The ritual system is a direct descendant of the Premier Grand Lodge of England's rituals from 1717 (1724). The "Orders of Wisdom" constitute the capstone of the French Rite, representing one of the oldest, most refined, and historically significant systems of Masonic completion in the world. Membership in the Orders of Wisdom is strictly by invitation, offering philosophical instruction that is frequently characterized as profoundly transformative within Free-Masonry. Moorish Rite Multiple United States 20th Century Influenced by Moorish Science traditions; highly irregular and not recognized by mainstream Free-Masonry. National Mexican Rite 9 Mexico 1825 National rite of Mexican Free-Masonry, historically tied to 19th-century political and social reform in Mexico. Primitive Scottish Rite 33 Multiple regions 1770 Established at Namur by Marchot. Practiced by some Grand Lodges and worked exclusively by the Grande Loge Symbolique travaillant au Rite Écossais Primitif Rectified Scottish Rite 6 Europe, North America, and South America. 1778 Christian-themed rite, focused on Knight Templar spiritual descendance and the doctrine of reintegration; always written as R.E.R. in English. Standard Scottish Rite 3 Multiple regions (Prominent in France) 19th Century Standardized version of ancient Scottish workings, historically codified in Scotland but highly popular in France. Rite Français Moderne Rétabli 7 France 1955 Modern traditional restoration of the older forms of the French Rite, removing later secular revisions. Rite of Baldwyn 7 Bristol, UK circa 1780 Historic English rite unique to the Province of Bristol, comprising the Five Royal Orders. Rite of Memphis 95 Multiple regions 1838 Also known as the Oriental Rite. Egyptian-influenced system founded by Jacques Étienne Marconis de Nègre. Rite of Memphis-Misraïm 99 Multiple regions 1881 Combines the Memphis and Misraïm traditions into one Egyptian Free-Masonry system, largely credited to Giuseppe Garibaldi. Rite of Misraïm 90 Multiple regions 1805 Egyptian-influenced rite established in Italy and France by the Bédarride brothers. Rite Opératif de Salomon 9 Multiple regions 1974 Operative working focusing heavily on Solomonic traditions and esoteric builder symbolism, created in France. Schröder Rite 3 Germany, Brazil, Multiple regions 1801 German system established by Friedrich Ludwig Schröder, focused purely on the three symbolic degrees with no higher degrees. Swedish Rite 11 Sweden, Nordic Countries, Germany 1759 Official system of Swedish Free-Masonry. Strictly Christian and heavily influenced by Rosicrucian and Templar traditions. York Rite 10 United States of America 1797 (Blue Lodge system), 1816 (Knights Templar), 1818-1819 (Cryptic Free-Masonry), 1880 (National Cryptic)https://virginiaroyalarch.org/education/pdfs/Some Basic Information about Cryptic Masonry.pdf, The American York Rite comprises three distinct, unified bodies: the Chapter, the Council, and the Commandery. Primarily practiced within the United States, the rite has almost no direct historical connection to the physical city of York, England. The nomenclature was strategically adopted to claim antiquity by referencing the traditional Masonic legend of Prince Edwin, who purportedly convened the first General Assembly of Free-Masons in York in the year 926. This branding successfully differentiated the system from the Scottish Rite, which similarly lacks Scottish origins. Ultimately, the contemporary system is a distinctively American innovation, formally codified by Thomas Smith Webb then expended during the early American Republic to establish a cohesive, national identity for Free-Masonry. Élus Coëns / Martinism Rite 11 (Coën) / 3-4 (Martinism) Multiple regions 1767 (Coën) Esoteric Christian system. The original Élus Coëns required Free-Masonry, while modern Martinism is a parallel, independent tradition. Pennsylvania Work (Ancient York Masonry) 3 Pennsylvania, USA 1786 Only U.S. state not practicing the Preston-Webb Ritual. Preserves older "Antients" Grand Lodge workings. Philosophical Scottish Rite 12 Belgium, France 1776 Established at the Contrat Social Lodge in Paris. Still actively practiced in Belgium. Eclectic Rite 3 Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Brazil 1783 Formed in Frankfurt. Focuses exclusively on the Blue Lodge degrees to strip away higher-degree occultism. Philosophical French Rite 3 France 1969–2002 Created within Tolérance lodge of Grand Orient de France. Covers three symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master).
No longer practiced Rite Name Degrees Year Established Notes Ancient Reformed rite - - Rite of Adoption - - Rite of Strict Observance 7 1751 dissolved in 1782. Cagliostro Adoption Rite - - Rite of the Knights of the Two Eagles - - Amicists Rite - - African Architect Rite - 1767 Rite of the Chapter of Clermont - 1754 Chaldean Rite 3 - Fesster Rite 9 1765 Clerks of the Relaxed Observance Rite 10 - Rite of Brother Henoch 4 - Indian Rite 3 - Chastannier Rite - 1767 Benedict Rite of the Negotiates 3 1780 Pythagorean masonic rite Rite of the Benevolent Knights - - Of the Holy City of Jerusalem Brothers of the Rose-Croix - - Brotherhood of Moravian brothers - 1739 Order of the mustard seed English Conclave of Templar-Kadosh Rite - - Primitive Scottish Rite (Marchet) 33 - From Advocate Marchet de Nivelles Rite of Reformed Scots - 1766 By Tschoudy Rite of Reformed Scots of Saint-Martin 7 - Egyptian Rite (Cagliostro) - 1782 Rite of Elect Cőens 9 1754 Martinez Paschalis Rite of the Elect of the Truth 14 1779 Three classes Eons Rite - - Zoroastrian Masonry Rite of the Knights of the Polar Star - - Fessler Rite 9 1797 Rite of the Brothers - - Order of Palladium - 1737 subject of the Taxil hoax Rite of the Black Brothers - - Rite of the perfect Egyptian initiates 7 - Lyon France, Crota-Repoa Rite of Universal Harmony - 1782 Rite of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes 17 1740 Berlin Zinnendorf Rite 7 1770 Heredom Rite 25 1758 Also known as Perfection Rite of the Invisibles - - Rose Croix Rectified of Schroeder 7 1766 Hermetic Rite of Avignon - - Rite of Liberty - 1740 Founded in Paris Rite of the Decorated Masters - - Strict Observance French Noahides Rite - - Napoleonic Masonry Rite of the Templar Orient - - Haitian rite 3 - Blue Lodge Rite of the Land of Palestine - - Pernetty Rite - 1760 Also known as Enlightened of Avignon Persian Philosophical Rite 7 - Philalethes Rite 12 1773 Seekers of Truth Rite Primitif de Narbonne 3 1779 Rite of the Primitive Philadelphians Schroepffer Rite - - Magic, evocations Sophisians Rite 7 1801 Rite of Swedenborg 8 - Illuminated of Stockholm Rite de la Vieille Bru 9 1748 Faithful Scotchman from Toulouse Rite of the Disciples of Hermes - - - Manichaean Brothers Rite - - - Pantheists Rite - - Also known as Socratic Lodge Rite of the Knights of the Pure Truth - - Xerophagists Rite - - - Rite of the Illuminated Zodiac - -
Masonic Orders Order Name Year Established Notes Ordre Initiatique et Traditionnel de l'Art Royal 1973 Still active in 2024, Traditionalist Order, Practices the Rite Opératif de Salomon Order of the Apocalypse - - Order of Noachites 1757 M. de St. Gelaire Knight of the Holy City Order - - Architects of Africa - Also known as African Brotherhood or Chaos Order Order of the Eagles and the Sun - - Assanites Order - The Old Man of the Mountain Order of Cuchiara 1512 Italy, also known as Trowel Order Bonze Order - - Cauldron Order 1512 Italy Charles XIII Order - Bernadotte, King of Sweden Knights of Asia Order - Initiated Brothers in 5 degrees Scandinavian Order - - Adepts Order - - Knights of the Desert Order - - Diamond Order 17th century Invulnerable Knights Awakened Order 18th century - Moravian Brothers Order - The Mustard Seed Grand Duke Order - - Lanturlus Order 1771 Instituted by Marquis de Croismarc Hassanites Order - The Old Man of the Mountain Illustrious Neapolitan Grand Masters Order - - Magicians Order 18th century - Masters of 1804 1804 Political masonic Order Palladium Order 18th century Sovereign Council of Wisdom Perfect Initiates of Asia Order - - Unknown Philosophers Order - In 2 points Sacred Sophisiros Order - - Saint-Joachim Order 1760 Christian Freemasonry Seven Sages Order 17th century Companions of Ulysses Tobacological Order 18th century Also known as Prizers
Masonic Academies Academy Name Degrees Location Notes Academy of the Rose 4 - - Russian-Swedish - - Alchemical Masonry of Schroder Academy of the Ancients - Warsaw Also known as Academy of Secrets Academy Areopagite - - Of the Knights Kadosch Academy of the Sublime Masters - - Of the Luminous Ring Academy of the True Masons 6 Paris Established 1861
Diffusion of Rites (Blue Lodge level)
Europe France Grand Lodge Type Rites Practiced Notes Grand Orient de France (GODF) Oldest and largest French Grand Lodge French Rite Rectified Scottish Rite Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm Philosophical French Rite - Grande Loge de France (GLDF) Second largest Grand Lodge Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite - Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF) Third largest, only one in regularity with U.G.L.E. French Rite Rectified Scottish Rite Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Emulation Rite York Rite Standard Scottish Rite -
Italy Grand Lodge Type Rites Practiced Notes Grande Oriente d'Italia (GOI) Oldest and largest Italian Grand Lodge Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) French Rite (Modern Rite) York Rite Egyptian Rite - Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (GLRI) - Emulation Rite - Serenissima Gran Loggia d'Italia (SGLI) - Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR)