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A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England.Morris, S. Brent. Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry. New York: Alpha, 2006. p. 9
The head of a Grand Lodge is called the Grand Master, and the other officers of the Grand Lodge prefix "Grand" to the titles of Lodge officers. Some Grand Lodges have established Provincial Grand Lodges as an organisational layer between themselves and member Lodges.
Grand Lodge jurisdictions are typically based on an area of civil government. They also function independently of any other Grand Lodge, with one notable exception: A Grand Lodge that is not "in amity with" (or recognised by) another Grand Lodge will not permit its members to visit Lodges in the second Grand Lodge's jurisdiction. The cause of a lack of amity is usually due to a perceived or actual violation of one of the Landmarks of Freemasonry.Bundy, Harry W. "Determining Recognition" Phoenixmasonry.org. From Proceedings of the Seventh Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference, Rocky Mountain Consistory No. 2, Denver, Colorado on July 11, 1958. Furthermore, with some exceptions, especially regarding US Grand Lodges' recognition of Grand Lodges in South America, any Grand Lodge not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is also not recognised by any Grand Lodge in amity with UGLE.
While the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland each govern Freemasonry within their respective countries, Continental European countries typically have more than one Grand Lodge per country. Historically, the United States had recognised one Grand Lodge per state, independent of the Grand Lodge of any other state. Today, most have two: a "mainstream" Grand Lodge and a Prince Hall Grand Lodge. All of the "mainstream" Grand Lodges in the United States of America are recognised by each other, and most recognise each other's Prince Hall counterparts.
Prince Hall Masonry, which was formed while Masonry in the United States was effectively segregated, has a predominantly black membership. Various philosophical and technical reasons historically prevented US "mainstream" Grand Lodges from recognising or acknowledging Prince Hall Grand Lodges as regular bodies operating in accordance with the Landmarks of Freemasonry. Originally having one Grand Lodge for the whole United States, separate Prince Hall Grand Lodges now operate in most US states and jurisdictions. Many PHGLs also sponsor and govern Prince Hall Lodges abroad, principally on or near US military bases. Since the early 1990s onward, most, but not all, US Grand Lodges and Prince Hall Grand Lodges began to extend mutual recognition and promote visitations and fellowship between their members.
Other organisations which only accept Master Masons, such as Scottish Rite and the Shriners, have their own governing bodies, not called Grand Lodges, which are not directly accountable to the Grand Lodge in the jurisdiction in which they operate. Other Masonically-affiliated orders, such as the OES and DeMolay, are also independent. However, these organisations' governing bodies, as a rule, defer to their Grand Lodges as the essential authority over Masonry in their regions.
There is no central body to oversee all of the Grand Lodges in the world, and therefore, individual Grand Lodge policies and practices can and do vary, though they have a similar basic framework in common. The lack of a central authority means that Grand Lodges are held together simply by fellowship with one another. This tends to negate many of the New World Order conspiracy theories leveled against Masonry as a whole.
:This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. See the appropriate article for information on organization in appendant Masonic bodies such as York Rite and Scottish Rite.
Regularity is the process by which individual Grand Lodges recognise one another for the purposes of allowing formal interaction at the Grand Lodge level and visitation by members of other jurisdictions.
Main article: Grand Lodge
The Centre of Liaison and Information of Masonic Powers Signatories of Strasbourg Appeal (CLIPSAS) is an international organization of Masonic jurisdictions. These jurisdictions are considered irregular by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and most other Anglo-Saxon Grand Lodges because they accept women, or do not require Masons to have a belief in a Supreme Being (Great Architect of the Universe).
The International Secretariat of the Masonic Adogmatic Powers (ISMAP) (French: Secrétariat international Maçonnique des Puissances Adogmatiques (SIMPA)) is an international organization of Masonic jurisdictions of masonic lodges. The jurisdictions involved are considered irregular by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and most other Anglo-Saxon Grand Lodges, because they accept women, or do not require Masons to have a belief in a Supreme Being (Great Architect of the Universe). The aim of the organization is to optimize the mutual coordinate cooperation.
A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge in Books of Constitutions, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry. Every new Lodge must be warranted by a Grand Lodge, but is subject to its direction only in enforcing the published Constitution of the jurisdiction. A Master Freemason is generally entitled to visit any Lodge in any jurisdiction in amity with his own. He is first usually required to check, and certify, the regularity of the relationship of the Lodge - and be able to satisfy that Lodge of his regularity of membership. Freemasons gather together as a Lodge to work the three basic Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason.
The term York Rite is a term most often used in the United States of America to refer to a collection of Masonic degrees that, in most other countries, are conferred separately. As such, it constitutes one of the two main branches of Masonic Appendant Bodies in United States Freemasonry, which a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. Its name is derived from the city of York, where, according to a Masonic legend, the first meetings of Masons in England took place, although only the lectures of the York Rite College make reference to that legend.
The other principal branch of Freemasonry in the United States is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Some obediences of the Scottish Rite, outside the United States where the York Rite is not active, may confer some of the York Rite degrees.
The divisions within the York Rite and the requirements for membership differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but the essentials are the same. In all the workings, the one requirement is that all applicants be in possession of the degree of Master Mason (the third degree of Freemasonry).
The York Rite is not found as a single system in the majority of countries outside the United States, nor are any of the separate degrees subject to the local Grand Lodge jurisdiction. Each sovereign and distinct rite or "Order" elsewhere has some differences in ritual details to the York Rite system. However, provided that the Grand Lodge in question regards the parent "Craft" jurisdiction as regular, each distinct Order has recognised fraternal inter-relations with the respective Rite within the York system.
The fraternity of Freemasonry, also known as "Free and Accepted Masons," is organized by private groups of members variously known in English as lodges, chapters, councils, commanderies, consistories, etc., which can be collectively referred to as "Masonic bodies".
The basic Masonic body is the "Masonic lodge", which alone can make a Mason, and confers the first three degrees in Masonry, being that of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.Coil, Henry Wilson; "Degrees," pp. 165-168; Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia; 1961, 1996, Macoy Publ. Co., Richmond, Va. ISBN-0-88053-054-5
Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason,<ref name="Aims and Relationships">http://www.grandlodge-england.org/pdf/cr-rule-update2-141205.pdf Aims and Relationships of the Craft</ref>In the United Kingdom, Article II of the 1813 Articles of Union between the "Antients" and "Moderns" declared that the Holy Royal Arch degree be the completion of the Master Mason degree. http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/england_grand_lodge.html there are a number of related organisations which have as a prerequisite to joining that one be a Master Mason, such as the Scottish Rite and the York Rite.Jackson, Keith B. Beyond the Craft: The Indispensable Guide to Masonic Orders Practised in England and Wales, 2005. ISBN 0-85318-248-5
Additionally, there are also organizations affiliated with Freemasonry that admit both Master Masons and non-Masons who have some relation to a Master Mason, such as the Order of the Eastern Star, International Order of Job's Daughters and the Order of the Amaranth. Still other affiliated organizations like the Order of DeMolay and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls admit non-Masons and have no requirement that an applicant be related to a Master Mason.
A number of terms, such as "appendant," "affiliated," "concordant," or "in amity" are used, sometimes interchangeably, to describe these bodies.
The Grand Orient of Belgium (French: Grand Orient de Belgique, Dutch: Grootoosten van Belgie (G.O.B.) is a Belgian cupola of masonic lodges which is only accessible for men, and works in the basic three symbolic degrees of freemasonry.
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The Grand Orient de France (G.O.d.F. or G.O.F.) is the largest of several Masonic organizations in France and the oldest in Continental Europe, founded in 1733.
The International Masonic Union Catena is an international organization of Masonic organizations. The organizations involved are considered irregular by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and most other Anglo-Saxon Grand Lodges.
Lodge Mother Kilwinning is a Masonic Lodge in Kilwinning, Scotland under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. It is number 0 on the Roll, and is reputed to be the oldest Lodge not only in Scotland, but the world. It is thus styled The Mother Lodge of Scotland attributing its origins to the 12th Century, and is often called Mother Kilwinning.<ref name=Tailby></ref>
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The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF)Official Website is currently the only French Masonic Grand Lodge that is in regular amity with the United Grand Lodge of England and concordant jurisdictions. It was founded in 1913, splitting from the larger and older Grand Orient de France1913 Les origines de la GLNF, and is based on monotheism and the 1929 precepts of regularity issued by the United Grand Lodge of England.
The International Order of Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain is a global Masonic Order, membership of which is available to men and women on equal terms, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity. The Order is founded on the ancient teachings and traditions of Freemasonry, using Masonic ritual and symbolism as its tools in the search for truth. On the individual level, the Order aims "to promote the progress of individual worth, without the imposition of dogma, or exacting the abandonment of cultural or religious ideas". On a collective level it works "to unite men and women who agree on a humanist spirituality whilst respecting individual and cultural differences".
In contrast with other Masonic organisations which operate in national or state jurisdiction only, Le Droit Humain is a global fraternity with many Federations and Jurisdictions worldwide, each of which work the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite from the 1st to the 33rd degree. The Order is administered by the Supreme Council, which has its headquarters in Paris. Within the International Constitution, however, member Federations have the freedom of self-governance.
The Royal Order of Scotland is an honor society linked to Freemasonry. Membership is an honour extended to Freemasons by invitation.
Co-Freemasonry is a form of Freemasonry which admits both men and women. It began in France in the mid-nineteenth century with the forming of Le Droit Humain, and is now an international movement represented by several Co-Masonic administrations throughout the world. Most Masonic Lodges do not admit women, and do not officially recognise Co-Freemasonry, holding it to be irregular or clandestine.
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Kilwinning (Gaelic: Cill Fhinnean) is a historic town situated in North Ayrshire, Scotland.
It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire.
The subject of women and Freemasonry is complex and without an easy explanation. Traditionally, only men can be made Freemasons in Regular Freemasonry.<ref name=AndersonCharge3> </ref> Many Grand Lodges do not admit women because they believe it would break the ancient Masonic Landmarks. However, there are many non-mainstream Masonic bodies that do admit both men and women or exclusively women. Furthermore, there are many female orders associated with regular Freemasonry, such as the Order of Women Freemasons, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Social Order of Beauceant and the Daughters of the Nile.
The Holy Royal Arch commonly referred to as a Chapter is an additional degree of Freemasonry.
A candidate for Exaltation into a Holy Royal Arch Chapter is required to have been a Master Mason for four weeks or more.Supreme Grand Chapter of England How to Join Royal Arch In Scotland the candidate must also be a Mark Master Mason, a degree which can be conferred within Chapter if required. Once exalted a candidate becomes a companion, with Royal Arch meetings being described as a convocation.
The exact origins of the Holy Royal Arch are unknown except that it dates back to the mid 1700s.
Ye Antient Order of Noble Corks also known as The Cork, is an informal degree allied to Freemasonry.York Rite Freemasonry: description of degrees, (accessed 16 Oct 2006) It is described as "fun". Distinctly nautical in form, its membership is open to Master Masons in good standing who are either a companion in the Holy Royal Arch or a Warden, Master or Past Master of a craft Lodge. The Cork or Corks is derived from the organisation's emblem of a cork with a corkscrew inserted at an angle.Emblem, used in the USA, from Allied Masonic Degrees web,(accessed 17 Oct 2006)] Membership is not onerous—the only costs on top of membership being dining fees, drinks, etc. The idea and aim being to raise money for children's charities, and with Corkies having fun in so doing.<ref name="Nel">The Nelson Cork Lodge (accessed 17 Oct 2006)</ref><ref name="Squ">http://www.lewismasonic.com Sep 2005, "A New Cork Lodge", The Square Magazine, pub Lewis Masonic.</ref>
The Felicitaries, officially the Ordre de Felicité, were a French fraternal order based upon freemasonry, which accepted women as well as men (i.e. were "adoptive" in masonic parlance).<ref name=EoF></ref>
The order was founded in Paris in 1743 by a M. Chambonnet. There were four grades: Cabin Boy, Patron, Commodore, and Vice-Admiral. The Grand Master was Admiral. As a seal the order used an anchor hanging from three silken cords. In 1748 the order was reinstituted as the Knights and Ladies of the Anchor.<ref name=EoF /> It was not generally popular with other freemasons, who saw it as frivolous and irregular.
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Freemasonry in France has been influential on the worldwide Masonic movement due to its founding of Continental Freemasonry.Grand Orient de France
There are many and varied Masonic rites and obediences in France. The main male-only masonic organisations are the Grand Orient de France, the Grande Loge de France and the Grande Loge Nationale Française, the main female-only organisation is the Women's Grand Lodge Of France, and the main mixed organisation is the Le Droit Humain. Other organisations exist such as the Felicitaries.
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Freemasonry has been present in Venezuela since 1824 and has included a number of prominent politicians.
The Gran Logia de la Republica de Venezuela or Grand Lodge of the republic of Venezuela founded in 1824, is based in Caracas. It claims 121 Lodges as of 2006.Respetables Logias de Nuestra Jurisdición 2006 It is a member of the Confederación Masónica Interamericana and the Confederación Masónica Bolivariana.History page of the Gran Logia de la República de Venezuela
After the split between Colombia and Venezuela the Grand Lodge was refounded for Venezuela in 1838. Its first Grand Master was Diego Bautista Urbaneja Sturdy, who had been Vice President.History page of the Gran Logia de la República de Venezuela.
Freemasonry in Denmark was first established in 1743The Concise History of Freemasonry, by Robert Freke Gould, Republished by Kessinger Publishing, 1994, hosted by Google books and is today representen by a number of Grand Lodges.
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The Grande Oriente Lusitano - Maçonaria Portuguesa (Grand Orient of Lusitania - Portuguese Freemasonry) is a symbolic Masonic Obedience founded in 1802, thus being the oldest Portuguese Masonic Obedience. Its first Grand Master was Sebastião José de São Paio de Melo e Castro Lusignan, grandson of the first Marquis of Pombal, and his symbolic name was Egas Moniz.
The Grande Oriente Lusitano - Maçonaria Portuguesa belongs to the Masonic liberal current, proclaiming the absolute liberty of conscience and adogmatism.
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This is a general list of masonic Grand Lodges across the World, whether descending from the United Grand Lodge of England or not, "regular" or not.
A Grand Lodge (or "Grand Orient" as it is called in some jurisdictions) is the governing body that supervises "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction or geographical area.
Membership numbers are subject to evolutions. Please check the sources which are indicated in the reference section.
This is a chronological list of "regular" or "mainstream" Masonic Grand Lodges as recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). A Grand Lodge (or "Grand Orient" as it is called in some jurisdictions) is the governing body that supervises "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction or geographical area. All Lodges holding a dispensation, warrant or charter from a UGLE-recognized Grand Lodge in their jurisdiction are widely considered to be legitimate. Non-UGLE-recognized Grand Lodges and Lodges are controversial and are widely considered to be "irregular" and illegitimate (see General list of masonic Grand Lodges).
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The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario is a masonic Grand Lodge with jurisdiction over 578Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario, 153rd Annual Communication, July 2008 masonic lodges located in the province of Ontario. Its current Grand Master is M.W. Bro. Allan J. Petisor.
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The Order of Free Gardeners is a fraternal society founded in Scotland in the middle of the 17th Century which later spread into England and Ireland. Like numerous other friendly societies of the time its principal aim was the sharing of knowledge – indeed secrets – linked to the profession, as well as mutual aid. In the 19th Century its activities of mutual insurance became predominant. By the end of the 20th Century it had become almost entirely extinct.
In 1849 The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners Scotland was formed at Penicuik. In 1956, due to falling attendances in Scotland, the Grand Lodge charter was transferred to Cape Town South Africa. It is still there today. September 2005 saw the return of the Ancient Order to Scotland when the Countess of Elgin Lodge no. 105 received its Charter to meet in Dysart, Fife.
Although the Free Gardeners always remained independent of Freemasonry, the history and the organisation of the two orders show numerous similarities that shed light on the birth of the latter. Robert L.D. Cooper, Les francs-jardiniers Ivoire Clair (ed)(2000) 2-8
The Grand Orient of the Netherlands (Dutch: Orde van Vrijmetselaren onder het Grootoosten der Nederlanden) is a Masonic Grand Lodge in the Netherlands. It is recognized by UGLE. Foreign Grand Lodges Recognised by The United Grand Lodge of England - Europe Accessed 10 August 2008 In addition to its jurisdiction over nine districtshttp://www.vrijmetselarij.nl/Organisatie/Regios/tabid/619/Default.aspx in the Netherlands, it also administers three Lodges in Suriname through the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suriname<ref name="vrijmetselarij.nl">http://www.vrijmetselarij.nl/Organisatie/Provincialegrootloges/tabid/593/Default.aspx</ref>, three lodges in Curacao, one in South Africa, one in Thailandhttp://www.vrijmetselarij.nl/Organisatie/Regios/BuitenNederland/tabid/1189/Default.aspx?regio=BN and through the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Caribbean, two lodges in in Aruba and one in St. Maarten.<ref name="vrijmetselarij.nl"/>
It also runs the Prince Frederick Museum, and has an online catalog available for its library
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: This page is about a Masonic organization. For the medieval Knights Templar, see Knights Templar, and for other uses, please see Templar.
The full title of this order is The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta.
Knights Templar is an international philanthropic Masonic order affiliated with Freemasonry. In some countries it forms part of the York Rite, while in others it is a separate order on its own. In the mid 1700s the Freemasons began to incorporate symbols and traditions of the medieval Knights Templar. The original medieval Order of Knights Templar was established after the First Crusade, and existed from approximately 1118 to 1312. There is no known historical evidence to link the medieval Knights Templar and Masonic Templarism, nor do the Masonic Knights Templar organizations claim any such direct link to the original medieval Templar organization.<ref name="faq">Knights Templar FAQ/INFO Accessed 14 August 2007</ref>
The Grand College of Rites is a Masonic organization dedicated to the collection and publication of various ritual texts from both Masonic ritual not currently used in the United States, and non-Masonic rituals used by other fraternities and societies of a ritualistic nature who generally keep their rituals private.<ref name="GCR webpage">Grand College of Rites home page Accessed 17 April 2006.</ref>