The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 3 - Overview of Rites
3. An Overview of Masonic Rites
It is appropriate to define the term "Rite" in Masonry prior to beginning with
an illustration of different models. There are two possibilities to interpret this
word. If spelled with a lower case "r," "rite" has the significance as given by
Webster's Dictionary, being an act of performing divine or solemn service, as
established by law, precept, or custom; or a formal act or series of acts of
religious or other solemn duty. 204 Masons perform several of these "rites," for
example the rite of investiture, in which the candidate is clothed in an apron; the
rite of discalceation, in which the candidate has to take off his shoes; or the rite
of circumambulation, in which the candidate makes prescribed "travels" around
the lodge room. "Rite" spelled with a capital "R" means in Masonry a collection
of degrees associated under a common control or administration. 205 "Degrees"
are ranks that describe the advancement of a Mason. To name and describe all
the Masonic or quasi-Masonic Rites that have existed or exist would be beyond
the scope of this dissertation. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia deals with this
subject on pages 525 - 563, and it is a large-format encyclopedia using small
print. Therefore, in order to stay within the bounds of possibility, only the two
most popular Rites will be considered, the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite and
the York Rite.
3.1 Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite vs. York
Rite
These two rivaling systems were created at different times and places.
Originally, there existed only one Rite, that of Ancient, Free, and Accepted
Masons. It consisted merely of three degrees; namely, Entered Apprentice,
Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. However, in Continental Europe and especially
in France and Germany, Masonic careerists have added an infinite number of
high degrees. The first Masonic "Rite" is the "Rite of Perfection," which
stemmed from early 18 th century France and consisted of 25 degrees. In 1761,
the original "Rite of Perfection" was brought to North America, to Charleston,
N.C., where it was expanded to 33 degrees and named "Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite." 206 According to Henderson and Pope, in the U.S., the Ancient &
Accepted Scottish Rite is probably the most powerful and popular single
Masonic organization. 207 It is governed by two independent Supreme Councils,
204 Cf. CME, p. 525.
205 Ibid.
206 Ibid.
207 Cf. Henderson and Pope, vol. I, p. 71.