Once the Craft degrees have been conferred upon a Mason, he is qualified to join various "Concordant bodies" which offer additional degrees. These organisations are usually administered separately from the Grand Lodges who administer the Craft degrees.
National organized Freemasonry began in 1717 with the founding of the Grand Lodge—an association of Masonic lodges—in England. However, Freemason societies have existed for much longer. The most popular theory is that Freemasonry emerged out of the stonemasonry guilds of the Middle Ages.
What does mason mean is a question people type when they see the word in text, hear it in convo, or get tagged in a photo caption and wonder, wait, what now? Quick answer: mason can mean a trade worker who lays bricks or stone, a member of the Freemasons, or just someone named Mason. But language is messy, and slang adds layers.
The meaning of MASON is a skilled worker who builds by laying units of substantial material (such as stone or brick).
The three degrees of Freemasonry are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. They are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval Craftsmen. Symbolically, the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood and age.
Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the Fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends.
In our Brothers’ words: New York Masons are men of diverse backgrounds, various faiths, and a strong commitment to the core values of Freemasonry. Together, we represent a centuries-old fraternity of dignified, personable, and confident men. Here’s what some of our Brothers are saying about the effect Masonry has had on their life.
Ready for an enlightening voyage? Let’s set sail on this fascinating journey into the heart of Freemasonry. The Masonic system comprises three fundamental elements often referred to as craft degrees – these include Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.