In Freemasonry, the first three Masonic degrees constitute the fundamental degrees in all Rites they are called Blue Lodge of Craft degree.
Over time, various systems of optional "high Masonic degrees" or "Side Degree" have been added to these three fundamental degrees, practiced in workshops known as perfection lodges or chapters.
History
Early Origins (Pre-1717) The earliest documented form of Freemasonry emerged from the operative masonic guilds of medieval Europe. During this period, it is mostly admitted that the craft maintained a simple two-degree system that directly reflected the practical organization of stonemason's work.Stevenson, David. The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century, 1590–1710. Cambridge University Press, 1988. Although some traditions such as the Operative Masons, maintain that the craft contained seven degrees before it was reduced to two. Some tradition maintain that the third degree legend was part of the second degree, while some other claim that it was a mystery played during feasts.
Apprentice, Entered Apprentice or Apprentices to the Craft of Free Mason (first degree): This initial degree represented the beginning of a mason's journey, typically lasting seven years. Apprentices learned fundamental craft skills and basic moral teachings.
Fellows of the Craft of Free Mason or Companion(second degree): Upon completing their apprenticeship, masons could advance to this level, indicating full membership in the craft guild.
Archaeological evidence from early lodge minutes, particularly from Scottish lodges, shows that this two-degree system was well-established by the late 16th century.Lyon, David Murray. History of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1. Blackwood, 1873.
Transformation to Speculative Masonry (1717–1725) The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marked a crucial transition period in Masonic history. During this time, the craft greatly shifted from operative to speculative Masonry, (this shift had started in the late 1500s) focusing more on moral, esoteric and philosophical teachings rather than practical stonework.Knoop, Douglas, and G. P. Jones. The Genesis of Freemasonry. Manchester University Press, 1947.
Introduction of the Third Degree Although still heavily debated, the modern consensus claims that The Master Mason degree was cemented around 1725 in London,Dachez, Roger. Histoire de la franc-maçonnerie française. PUF, Paris, 2003, p. 61. marking a significant evolution in Masonic ritual and symbolism, this legend was in direct competition with another "Noachite" legend. Other Scholar claim that the legend existed far before this date as it is hinted at in earlier rituals. This development:
Established the three-degree system that would become fundamental to all Masonic Rites Created a more complex symbolic structure for Masonic teaching
Proliferation of Higher Degrees (1730–1760) The period between 1730 and 1760 saw an unprecedented expansion in Masonic degrees, particularly in France and continental Europe.Naudon, Paul. Histoire générale de la franc-maçonnerie. Office du Livre, 1981.
Cultural Influences Several factors contributed to this proliferation:
Enlightenment Philosophy Interest in esoteric knowledge and ancient mysteries Emphasis on rational inquiry and systematic learning Integration of Hermetic and Kabbalistic traditions
Political Context Rise of enlightened absolutism Social upheavals in pre-revolutionary France Growing influence of nobility in Masonic lodges
Religious Developments Tensions between traditional Christianity and new philosophical ideas Integration of mystical and esoteric Christian traditions Influence of Rosicrucianism and other esoteric movementsYates, Frances A. The Rosicrucian Enlightenment. Routledge, 1972.
Major Centers of Development Location Notable contributions Key figures Paris Development of Scottish Master degree Chevalier Ramsay Lyon Strict Observance system Jean-Baptiste Willermoz Bordeaux Perfection Rite Stephen Morin London Royal Arch developments Laurence Dermott
Systematization Period (1760–1800) By the 1760s, over one hundred distinct Masonic degrees had been created.Bernheim, Alain. "The Origin of Masonic High Degrees." Heredom, vol. 5, 1996. This proliferation led to efforts to systematize and organize these degrees into coherent systems.
Major Developments 1761 – Creation of the Rite of Perfection (25 degrees) 1771 – Establishment of the Strict Observance system 1783 - 1786 – Codification of the French Rite 1801 – Formation of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33 degrees)
Notable Systems French Rite The French Rite is one of the oldest systems in existence and was systematized in 1786 and solidified with the creation of the "Manuscrit de Moûtiers" of 1787 and later the publication of the Régulateur du Maçon in 1801, establishing a three degrees plus 4 orders system:Ligou, Daniel. Histoire des Francs-Maçons en France. Privat, 2000.
Blue Lodge 1st Degree: Entered Apprentice 2nd Degree: Fellow Craft 3rd Degree: Master Mason Orders of Wisdom 1st Order: Élu (Elect)/ Master Elect 2dn Order: Ecossais / Grand Élu (Grand Elect) 3rd Order: Chevalier d'Orient / Knight of Masonry 4th Order: Rose-Croix / Perfect Sovereign Mason Conservatory 5th Order: Grand Conservatory / Additional administrative order
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Developed through several stages: Initial formation in Charleston, South Carolina (1801) Expansion to France (1804) Global spread throughout the 19th century
Modern Period (1800–Present) The 19th and 20th centuries saw: Standardization of ritual practices Development of research lodges Creation of governing bodies for higher degrees Revival of interest in esoteric aspects of higher degreesBogdan, Henrik. Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation. SUNY Press, 2007.
Contemporary Organization Modern Masonic degrees are typically organized under different governing bodies: Blue/Craft Lodges (first three degrees) under Grand Lodges Scottish Rite bodies under Supreme Councils York Rite bodies under state/national organizations Independent orders maintaining their own degree systems
Practice
In most systems, Lodges that practice the "high degrees" are distinct from the lodges of the first three degrees. They have different names, varying depending on the degrees they confer, but are also referred to under the generic term "higher lodges" or "lodges of perfection." In general, these lodges are organized separately from the obediences (grand lodges or grand orients) that federate the lodges of the first three degrees.
High degrees according to the rites
Rectified Scottish Rite Green Lodges:
Lodges of Saint Andrew (Green Lodges): Scottish Master
Inner Order:
Novice Squire Chevalier bienfaisant de la Cité sainte (known as 'Knight CBCS')
Secret Class:
Profès Grand Profès
French Rite
According to the Manuscrit R.C. de la bibliothèque Doré from 1786, the Manuscrit de Moûtiers and the Montaleau’s manuscript of 1787 and the 1801 Regulator of Masonic Knights:
Orders 1st Order: Elected Master / Elect 2nd Order: Grand Élu / Grand Scottish Elected / Écossais 3rd Order: Knight of Masonry / Knight of the Orient 4th Order: Perfect Sovereign Mason / Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, Perfect Free Mason. Conservaroty 5th Order: Administrative and Conservatory Order.
Note: The French Rite insisted that these be called Order and not degrees, for they viewed the Third degree as the highest and ultimate degree.
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite vary from one jurisdiction to the next. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Southern Jurisdiction, each have their own lists of degrees, as well as Scottish Rite jurisdictions in France, Canada, England and Wales.
DegreeNorthern Jurisdiction (NMJ)Southern Jurisdiction (SJ)Craft Lodge (1°-3°)1°Entered Apprentice2°Fellow Craft3° Master MasonLodge of Perfection (4°-14°)4°BuilderSecret Master5°Perfect Master6°Master of the Brazen SerpentIntimate Secretary7°Provost and Judge8°Intendant of the Building9° Master of the TempleElu of the Nine10°Master ElectElu of the Fifteen11°Sublime Master ElectedElu of the Twelve12°Master of MercyMaster Architect13°Master of the Ninth ArchRoyal Arch of Solomon14°Grand Elect MasonPerfect EluCouncil of Princes of Jerusalem (NMJ 15°-16°) Chapter of Rose Croix (SJ 15°-18°) - (NMJ 17°-18°) 15°Knight of the East16°Prince of Jerusalem17°Knight of the East and West18°Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M.Knight Rose CroixCouncil of Kadosh (SJ 19°-30°) Consistory (SJ 31°-32°) - (NMJ 19°-32°)19°Brother of the TrailGrand Pontiff20°Master ad VitamMaster of the Symbolic Lodge21°Patriarch NoachiteNoachite22°Prince of LibanusKnight of the Royal Axe23°Knight of ValorChief of the Tabernacle24°Brother of the ForestPrince of the Tabernacle25°Master of AchievementKnight of the Brazen Serpent26°Friend and Brother EternalPrince of Mercy27°Knight of JerusalemKnight of the Sun28°Knight of the SunKnight Commander of the Temple29°Knight of Saint AndrewScottish Knight of Saint Andrew30°Grand InspectorKnight Kadosh31°My Brother's KeeperInspector Inquisitor32°Sublime Prince of the Royal SecretMaster of the Royal SecretSupreme Council (33°)33°Inspector General (Honorary) Sovereign Grand Inspector General (Active)
Egyptian Masonic Rites
Lodges of Perfection:
4th Secret Master 5th Perfect Master 6th Intimate Secretary 7th Provost and Judge 8th Superintendent of Buildings 9th Elected Master of the Nine 10th Illustrious Elected of the Fifteen 11th Sublime Elected Knight 12th Grand Master Architect 13th Royal Arch 14th Grand Elected of the Sacred Vault, also known as Jacques VI or Sublime Mason
Chapters:
15th Knight of the East or of the Sword 16th Prince of Jerusalem 17th Knight of the East and West 18th Sublime Prince Rose-Croix
Senates:
19th Grand Pontiff or Sublime Scottish of the Celestial Jerusalem 20th Knight of the Temple 21st Noachite or Prussian Knight 22nd Knight of the Royal Arch or Prince of Lebanon 23rd Chief of the Tabernacle 24th Prince of the Tabernacle 25th Knight of the Brazen Serpent 26th Trinitarian Scottish or Prince of Mercy 27th Sovereign Commander of the Temple 28th Knight of the Sun or Adequate Prince 29th Grand Scottish of Saint Andrew of Scotland, Prince of Light
Areopaguses and Tribunals:
30th Grand Elected Knight Kadosch, also known as Knight of the White and Black Eagle 31st Grand Inquisitor Commander 32nd Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret 33rd Sovereign Grand Inspector General
Grand Consistories:
34th Knight of Scandinavia 35th Sublime Commander of the Temple 36th Sublime Negotiate 37th Knight of Shota (Adept of Truth) 38th Sublime Elected of Truth 39th Grand Elected of Eons 40th Sage Sivaist (Perfect Sage) 41st Knight of the Rainbow 42nd Prince of Light 43rd Sublime Hermetic Sage 44th Prince of the Zodiac 45th Sublime Sage of the Mysteries 46th Sublime Shepherd of the Huts 47th Knight of the Seven Stars 48th Sublime Guardian of the Sacred Mount 49th Sublime Sage of the Pyramids 50th Sublime Philosopher of Samothrace 51st Sublime Titan of the Caucasus 52nd Sage of the Labyrinth 53rd Knight of the Phoenix 54th Sublime Scalde 55th Sublime Orphic Doctor 56th Pontiff of Cadmea 57th Sublime Mage 58th Brahmin Prince 59th Grand Pontiff of Ogygia 60th Sublime Guardian of the Three Fires 61st Sublime Unknown Philosopher 62nd Sublime Sage of Eleusis 63rd Sublime Kawi 64th Sage of Mithra 65th Patriarch Grand Installer 66th Patriarch Grand Consecrator 67th Patriarch Grand Eulogist 68th Patriarch of Truth 69th Knight of the Golden Bough of Eleusis 70th Patriarch of the Planispheres 71st Patriarch of the Sacred Vedas
Grand Councils:
72nd Sublime Master of Wisdom 73rd Doctor of the Sacred Fire 74th Sublime Master of the Sloka 75th Knight of the Libyan Chain 76th Patriarch of Isis 77th Sublime Theosophical Knight