The Three Degrees of Freemasonry

If you were to ask a Mason to describe his fraternity in a single sentence, he might tell you that it is "a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Nowhere is this definition more evident than in the three degrees of the Blue Lodge.

For the uninitiated, the concept of "degrees" might sound like a hierarchy of power. But in Freemasonry, a degree is not a rank of authority; it is a stage of development. It is a dramatized journey that mirrors the stages of human life—youth, manhood, and age—and the evolution of the human soul.

Let's walk through the symbolic significance of the three ancient degrees: The Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason.

1. The Entered Apprentice: The Student (Youth)

The journey begins here. When a candidate first knocks on the door of the Lodge, he is symbolically in a state of darkness, seeking light. The First Degree represents Youth—a time of learning, purification, and preparation.

In operative masonry (the actual building of cathedrals), an Apprentice was a beginner who spent his time learning how to use the tools of the trade. In speculative Freemasonry (what we practice today), the Apprentice is learning to use the tools of morality.

Key Symbols & Lessons:

The Rough Ashlar: The Apprentice represents the rough stone taken from the quarry—imperfect and unpolished. His job is to begin chipping away the superfluities of life to reveal the perfect form within.

The 24-Inch Gauge: A tool used to measure work, symbolically reminding the Mason to divide his day into three equal parts: eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, eight for usual vocations, and eight for refreshment and sleep.

The Common Gavel: Used to break off the corners of rough stones, symbolizing the divestment of the heart and conscience from the vices and superfluities of life.

The Entered Apprentice degree is about Trust and Obedience. It teaches us that before we can command, we must learn to obey; before we can build, we must clear the ground.

2. The Fellowcraft: The Worker (Manhood)

Once the Apprentice has proven his proficiency, he passes to the degree of Fellowcraft. If the first degree is about moral purification, the second degree is about Intellectual Enlightenment.

This degree represents Manhood—the prime of life where we apply our physical and mental strength to the work of the world. The Fellowcraft is no longer just clearing away vices; he is now actively constructing his character through education.

Key Symbols & Lessons:

The Winding Staircase: This is the central symbol of the degree. It represents the courageous ascent of the mind. To reach the Middle Chamber (the place of wages/reward), one must climb these stairs, signifying that knowledge is not given; it is earned through labor.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: The Fellowcraft is urged to study Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy. Why? Because by studying the hidden mysteries of nature and science, we better appreciate the wonderful works of the Almighty Creator.

The lesson here is clear: Ignorance is a form of darkness. To be a better man, one must be a thinking man.

3. The Master Mason: The Builder (Age & Wisdom)

We now arrive at the "Sublime Degree." The Third Degree is widely considered the climax of Freemasonry. It represents Age (maturity), wisdom, and the inevitable reflection on mortality.

While the Entered Apprentice works on his morals and the Fellowcraft works on his mind, the Master Mason focuses on the Soul and the Eternal. The ceremony of this degree is deeply moving, centered around the allegory of Hiram Abiff, the grand architect of King Solomon's Temple, who remained true to his trust even in the face of death.

Key Symbols & Lessons:

The Trowel: The working tool of the Master Mason. It is used to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection, which unites the building into one common mass.

The Legend of the Third Degree: It teaches fidelity and integrity. It reminds the Mason that while our physical bodies are mortal, our character and our souls are immortal.

The Sprig of Acacia: A symbol of the imperishable part of man which survives the grave.

Being a Master Mason doesn't mean you have "mastered" Freemasonry. It means you are now fully equipped with the tools and wisdom to travel into foreign countries—symbolically meaning the wider world—to work and receive master's wages, which are the satisfaction of a life well-lived.

The Journey Never Ends

Many people believe that becoming a Master Mason is the end of the journey. In reality, it is just the beginning. The degrees are merely the map; the Mason still has to walk the path.

Whether you are an Entered Apprentice chipping away at your rough edges, or a Master Mason spreading the cement of brotherly love, the work is continuous. We are all building a temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.