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

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Chapter 3 - Overview of Rites
pioneer as far as the question of initiating women is concerned. Mixed bodies
began to be formed in France shortly after the invention of the Hauts Grades
about 1738-40. At first, they were only para-Masonic institutions, but by 1760
they became associated with French lodges. 222 In 1774, the French Grand Orient
asserted control of such bodies and thereby expressed its recognition of their
Masonic character, often sponsoring them: the mixed bodies became
"adopted." 223 This technical term describes the relation between the androgynous
orders and their foster parent, the Grand Orient de France. Hence, the term "Rites
of Adoption." Just to name a few French Rites of Adoption with their founding
dates: there were the "Companions of Penelope of Pallidium of Ladies" (1737-
40), the "Knights and Ladies Rower" (1738 in Rouen; related to boats or ships),
the "Dames of Mount Tabor" (about 1742 in Paris), and countless others.
But was the kind of Freemasonry destined for women the same kind as for
the men? What distinguishes adoptive Masonry from the "real" one? What kind
of lessons are imparted to the women who are excluded from partaking in the
true Masonic rituals? Lodges of adoption were created in France in the 18 th
century in order to appease the women who did not keep back their verbal
injuries against an institution that did not allow their participation. The Masons
have learned from that and gave them their own lodges: "Die Freimaurerei hat,
nachdem sie in Frankreich Eingang gefunden hatte, sonderliche Blüten gezeigt.
Als ausschließlicher Männerbund gegründet, war sie seitens des schönen
Geschlechtes mancherlei Mißdeutungen ausgesetzt [...]. Man fand einen galanten
Ausweg, indem man Logen stiftete, in denen Männer und Frauen gemeinsam
arbeiteten." 224 These French lodges of adoption became very popular, so that in
1781, Maria Antoinette could say about them, "[t]out le monde en est." 225 The
main occupation of these lodges of adoption were symbolic ceremonies,
aesthetic conversations, and gorgeous feasts. After the French Revolution, this
kind of lodges died out, but they were revived under the monarchy of the early
19 th century. They had never existed in England and were a typical French
development:
222 Cf. ibid, p. 8.
223 Cf. ibid.
224 IFL, p. 17.
225 Cf. ibid, p. 18.
226 IFL, p. 18.
Im allgemeinen bewegte sich deren Wirken zwischen symbolischen
Zeremonien, Wohltun und schönen Festen. Im Wirbel der französischen
Revolution versanken alle diese galanten Bildungen, die außer in
Frankreich vorübergehend nur noch in den von Frankreich kulturell
beeinflußten Ländern Fuß fassen konnten. [...] Das geistige Leben der
Adoptionslogen ist rege und steht auf schöner Höhe. Abgesehen von der
Mitwirkung von Brüdern der patronisierenden Logen und deren
Verantwortlichkeit gegenüber der Grande Lodge besteht kein
Zusammenhang mit der Freimaurerei. 226