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The Scottish Rite
Degrees
Lodge of Perfection
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The degrees of the Lodge of
Perfection are better known as the "Ineffable Degrees" of
Scottish Rite Masonry because their principal purpose is
the investigation and contemplation of the ineffable
(unspeakable) name of Deity. We provide a brief statement
of the moral teachings found within each degree.
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4°
- Secret Master
Duty,
reflection and study are the gateway to opportunity. As
such, one honors those relationships to God, family,
country and Masonry. The apron of the 4th Degree is white
and black, with a letter "Z" and all-seeing eye. The jewel
of this degree is an ivory key with the letter "Z" on the
wards. The duties are secrecy, obedience and fidelity. |
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5°
- Perfect Master
The degree teaches Masonic honor; that
honesty and trustworthiness is the cornerstone of the
foundation of such. This virtue should be in all of our
undertakings with mankind. The apron of the 5th
Degree
is white and green, with a cubic stone and a Hebrew YOD.
The jewel is represented by a compass open on a segment of
a circle, to an angle of sixty degrees. The
duties
are honesty, sincerity, good faith and industry.
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6°
- Intimate Secretary
In this degree one should expand their knowledge of duty,
charity and toleration. We are instructed to reshape
ourselves and our thinking into charity, self-control and
success, i.e. to be a peacemaker. The apron of the 6th
Degree
is white and red, with Hebrew letters YOD HEH in the
center and a small triangle containing the Hebrew letters
(clockwise from top) BETH, NUN and SHIN. The gold triangle
with the same three letters inscribed is the jewel that
represents this degree. The
duties
are
zeal, faithfulness,
benevolence and to act the peacemaker. |
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7°
- Provost & Judge
We learn that impartial justice protects
person, property, happiness and reputation. We are
instructed to judge with patience and impartially. The
apron of the 7th
Degree
is white edged with red, with a key and five rosettes. The
jewel is a golden key. The
duty
is justice. |
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8°
- Intendant of the Building
We should strive for perfection by using the great
principles of God's inherent love, charity, morality and
kindness. The apron of the 8th
Degree
is white with red and green, with a balance, a
nine-pointed star, and a triangle with the Hebrew letters
BETH for Ben-Khurim; YOU for Jakinah; and ALEPH for Achar.
The jewel of this Degree is a gold triangle with the same
three letters. The
duties
are benevolence and charity. |
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9°
- Elu of the Nine (Elected
Knight of the Nine)
Truth, candor and generosity. The foundation of Scottish
Rite Masonry is most reflected in this degree. We should
use these truths to shape our lives and conduct. The apron
of the 9th Degree is white, lined with black and sprinkled
with blood, with an arm holding a dagger and a severed
head held by the hair. The jewel of this degree is a
dagger, hilt of gold and blade of silver. The
duties
are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance
and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution. |
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10°
- Elu of the Fifteen
(Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen)
This degree teaches us to be tolerant and
respect the opinions of others. Freedoms of political and
spiritual ideologies should be shared by all. The apron of
the 10th Degree is white, with a black flap with three
arch-shaped gates, over each a head on a spike. The jewel
of this degree is a dagger as in the 9th Degree. The
duties
are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance
and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.
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11°
- Elu of the Twelve (Sublime
Knight Elect of the Twelve)
This degree teaches sympathy. We should be
compassionate to our brother Masons and to all mankind as
well. The apron of the 11th Degree is white, lined with
black, with a flaming heart in the center. The jewel is a
dagger suspended from a black cordon inscribed with the
words "Vincere aut Mori" the pledge "that you will rather
die than betray the cause of the people, or be overcome
through your own fear or fault".
The duties
are to be earnest, true, reliable and a champion of the
people. |
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12°
- Master Architect
This degree teaches faith in morality, virtue and God.
"Life is what each man makes of it; the optimist turns a
trial into a blessing". The apron of the 12th Degree
consists of a white outer shell lined with blue and gold,
symbolizing the Craft Degrees, with a protractor, plain
scale, sector and compasses. The jewel is a heptagonal
medal of gold. The duty is to seek wisdom through
knowledge. |
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13°
- Royal Arch of Solomon (Knight of the Ninth Arch)
Liberty in our mind and hearts and
motivated by duty and honor are the lessons of this
degree. The apron of the 13th Degree is purple, bordered
with white and with the "Enochian delta" (hexagram with
inscribed Tetragrammation) in the center. The jewel
comprises a circular medal of gold. The duties are to seek
knowledge and to be motivated by duty and honour. |
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VIRTUS JUNXIT MORS NON SEPARABIT
"whom
virtue unites death shall not separate"
14°
- Perfect Elu (Grand Elect,
Perfect and Sublime Mason)
This degree teaches us to reflect and scrutinize
ourselves. We should strive to be true to ourselves and
our God. The apron being of white silk, bordered in gold
with the Ineffable Delta in the Center, is truly
emblematical of the degree. The jewel of the 14th Degree
is split; one being a quadrant (compass open to ninety
degrees) topped by a crown and with a nine-pointed star on
the obverse; the other being a five-pointed blazing star
with the Tetragrammaton on the reverse. The compass is
opened on a segment of a circle inscribed with the numbers
3, 5, 7, 9. The duties are to assist, encourage and defend
the brethren; to protect the oppressed and relieve want
and distress; to enlighten the people and serve the common
good. |
Chapter of Rose Croix
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The Chapter of Rose Croix
attempts to provide the candidate with a deeper
understanding of religion, philosophy, ethics and history
though a variety of complex "historical degrees". The
intellectual challenges presented in these degrees are
numerous, and at times overwhelming and can take years to
master. A thorough reading of the chapters related to
them in Morals and Dogma and in Legenda and
Readings is essential to achieve even a basic
comprehension of their true meaning.
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15°
- Knight of the East, of the Sword or of the Eagle
Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of
purpose under difficulties and discouragement are the
lessons of this degree. The striking crimson velvet apron
of this degree is edged with green, having a bleeding head
above two crossed swords and a triangle (top point to the
left) with three interlaced triangles inside it. The jewel
is three golden concentric triangles encompassing two
crossed swords. The duty is to rebuild the Masonic Temple
of liberty, equality and fraternity in the souls of men. |
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16°
- Prince of
Jerusalem
We learn of heroism of patience, the nobility of
self-sacrifice and compassionate judgment; along with
charity, fidelity and brotherhood. The crimson apron is
edged in gold and aurora-color, with a square, shield,
Delta with three YODs, balance
and a hand of justice. The jewel is a mother-of-pearl
lozenge with a hand holding a balance in equipoise; under
it a sword with five stars surrounding the point. On the
left is a Hebrew D, on the right is a Hebrew Z. The duties
are to aid those who labor to build the Symbolic Temple;
to judge equitably and fairly; to keep faith in the
justice and beneficence of God and to press forward with
hope for the persecuted and oppressed. |
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17°
- Knight of the East & West
The wisdom of this degree is that loyalty
to God is man's primary allegiance and that temporal
governments not founded upon God and His righteousness
will inevitably fall. The apron is of yellow satin with
crimson and gold, with a sword and
Tetractys of the
Tetragrammaton on it. The jewel is a heptagon of
half silver and half gold, with crossed swords on a
balance on the obverse and a lamb on the Book of Seven
Seals on the reverse. The jewel is hung from a double
order - one black (left-to-right) and one white
(right-to-left), representing good versus evil. A gold
coronet is also presented. The duties are to work, reflect
and pray; to hope, trust and believe; to teach the truths
that are hidden in allegory and concealed by the symbols
of Freemasonry. |
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18°
- Knight Rose Croix
This degree emphasizes that life and its
strength come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and
the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many
cultures. One is also taught to be tolerant of other's
errors and faults. The apron is of white leather or satin,
bordered in red, with a skull and cross-bones, a red
passion cross and three red rosettes. The grand jewel is a
gold compass open a quarter circle. A rose-cross is
between the legs of the compass and under it is a pelican,
tearing its breast to feed its seven young on the obverse
and an eagle with wings extended on the reverse. On the
circle are the letters I.N.R.I. The duties are to
practice virtue; to labor to eliminate vice; to purify
humanity; to be tolerant of the faith and creed of others. |
Council of Kadosh
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The word "Kadosh" is a Hebrew
word meaning Holy. Although Pike identifies the degrees
of the Council of Kadosh as chivalric and philosophical,
they are all intensely mystical with respect to the
lessons conveyed and symbols employed.
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"Faith in
moral principles, in virtue and in God is as necessary for
the guidance of a man as instinct is for the guidance of
an animal." - Albert Pike
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19°
- Grand Pontiff
We learn from the past and how it affects the present and
the influence we live in the future in this degree. We as
mortals strive to endure, produce and improve the world as
it surrounds us. There is no apron, but the jewel is a
gold "parallelogram" (rectangle) with a Greek Alpha on one
side and an Omega on the other. The duties are to be
content to labor for the future; to serve the cause of
truth with patience and industry; and to destroy error,
falsehood and intolerance with truth, honesty, honour and
charity. |
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20°
- Master of the Symbolic Lodge
This degree
demonstrates
liberty,
fraternity and equality. These truths teach morals,
religious and philosophical understandings. This degree
helps one to comprehend Deity, the forces of nature and
good and evil. The apron is yellow, bordered in blue, with
three concentric point-down triangles with the
Tetragrammaton (horizontal)
and "Fiat Lux" (vertical) at
the center forming a cross. Its triangular shape relates
to the "fourth great light, which reminds us of the Deity
and his attributes". The jewel is made of gold with the
same three concentric triangles. The duties are to
dispense light and knowledge and to practice Masonic
virtues. |
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21°
- Noachite or Prussian Knight
The lessons to be learned from
this degree are that arrogance, defamation and cowardice
are unworthy attributes of a Mason; and that humility,
modesty and courtesy are the true virtues of men and
Masons. The apron is yellow and contains an arm holding a
sword, a winged figure holding a key in the left hand and
the right forefinger on the lips (the Egyptian figure of
silence). The jewel can be described as a point-up
triangle, with an arrow, point downward, an arm holding a
sword and the motto "Fiat Justitia,
Ruat
Coelum". The duties are humility, modesty, trust
in God and to be steadfast and courageous in the face of
adversity. |
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22°
- Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus
This degree emphasizes work
ethics. By doing good work we improve character and become
better citizens. The apron of this degree is white,
bordered in purple, and contains a three-headed serpent
and a table with instruments and plans on it. The jewel is
an axe and handle of gold. On the top of the handle are
the initials of Noah and Solomon. In the middle of the
handle are the initials of Libanus
and Tsidun. On the blade are
the initials of Adoniram,
Cyrus, Darius, Zerubbabel,
Nehemiah and Ezra on one side and Shem,
Kham,
Yapheth, Moses, Ahaliab
and Betselal on the other. The
duties are to respect labor for its own sake and to do
work. |
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23°
- Chief of the Tabernacle
We learn in this degree that the man who forgets his duty
to God, family, country and himself will be in danger of
moral and spiritual destruction by thoughts and unworthy
ambition. The apron worn is white bordered with red, blue
and purple ribbons. These colors, from the curtains of the
Tabernacle, represent earth, fire, air and sea
respectively, as well as the Lord's beneficence, glory,
wisdom and power. On the apron is the golden
seven-branched candlestick, representing the seven planets
and virtues; the sun, faith, and aspiration toward the
infinite; the moon, hope; Venus, charity; Mars, fortitude,
"victory over rage and anger"; Mercury, prudence; Saturn,
temperance; Jupiter, conqueror of the Titans and
justice. The jewel worn is a small silver censer, or
ornamented cup, held by a handle in the shape of an open
hand. The duties are to be devoted to the service of God;
to constantly endeavor to promote the welfare of man; to
act with proper subordination to your superiors. |
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24°
- Prince of the Tabernacle
A Mason must show evidence of
compassion, piety and justice in this degree. After
initiation he may "manifest faithfully the social virtues
in order to receive the rewards", to serve humanity
through our brotherhood. The apron is of white lambskin
with scarlet green and blue. On it is a violet myrtle
tree and a gold representation of an Arabian tent. The
jewel worn is the Hebrew letter ALEPH, suspended from a
violet ribbon. The duties are to labor incessantly for the
glory of God, the honor of your country and the happiness
of your brethren. |
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25°
- Knight of the Brazen Serpent
This degree attempts to explain the conceptualities of
celestial purity and the eternal soul of man. The
apprentice is driven to look within his faith, life and
God to get a clear look at his inner self. The apron is
white, lined in black with gold stars on the white side
(Pleiades, Hyades, Orion,
Capella)
and with silver stars on the black side (Perseus,
Scorpio, Bootes). Also on it
is a serpent (ouroboros)
surrounding a scarab, a triangle in a glory with the
Tetragrammaton in its center
and the four initials of the stars
Regulus, Aldebaran,
Antares and
Fomalhaut. The
jewel is a gold tau cross
(crux ansata) with a serpent
entwined around it and the Hebrew words
HLThI (he has suffered or been
wounded) and NChShThN (the
Brazen Serpent) on it. The duty is to fulfill your destiny
and to re-create yourself by reformation, repentance and
enlarging your knowledge. |
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26°
- Prince of Mercy or Scottish Trinitarian
In this degree we explore for "the rewards
of the trinity of Gods attributes - wisdom or
intelligence, force or strength, harmony or beauty". The
apron is scarlet, bordered in white, with a green triangle
(point-down) in the center. In the triangle are the
initials of force, wisdom and harmony, and a flaming heart
of gold with the initials I.H.S. (Jesus
Hominum
Salvator or Imperium,
Harmonia,
Sapientia). The jewel is gold and is the same
triangle, suspended by a purple ribbon. The duties are to
practice forgiveness and mercy; tolerance; to be devoted
to the teaching of the principles of Masonry. |
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27°
- Knight Commander of the Temple
This degree teaches the apprentice to scorn selfishness
and to uphold the knightly virtues of charity, truth and
honor. We should always strive to assist the poor,
helpless and infirm. The apron is of scarlet lambskin,
lined in black, with a Teutonic Cross (cross potent sable,
charged with a smaller cross double potent or surcharged
with the escutcheon of the Empire, the two-headed black
eagle) and a black key surrounded by a laurel wreath. The
jewel is the Teutonic Cross shown on the apron. The duties
are to be a lover of wisdom and to be faithful to your
promises made within Masonry. |
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28°
- Knight of the Sun or Prince Adept
We learn in this degree that our love for God
manifests itself in our love for truth, justice and
nobility of soul. The apron worn is white lambskin with a
vermilion pentagram. The jewel is a gold five-pointed
star. The duties are to be devoted to truth, honour,
loyalty, justice and humanity. |
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29°
- Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew
The virtues taught in this degree are love
of God, loyalty to superiors, faithful adherence to
promise and active resistance to unfair judgment. There is
no apron. The jewel is a gold St. Andrew's cross ("X"),
surmounted with a knight's helmet with a thistle of gold
between the arms at the bottom. In the center of the cross
is a Hebrew YOD and on its points, clockwise from bottom,
the Hebrew letters N M I N. The duties are to reverence
and obey God; to serve the truth; to protect virtue and
innocence; to defend the people against tyranny. |
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30°
- Knight of Kadosh or Knight of the White & Black Eagle
The lesson of this degree is
to be true to ourselves, to stand for what is right and
to be just in our lives today with a belief in God,
country and oneself. There is no apron, but the jewel is
a gold Teutonic cross, enameled in red, with a silver
double-headed eagle with wings spread pointing downward
resting upon it. The duty is to labor unceasingly for
the good of mankind.
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Consistory
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The Consistory Degrees are very
different from each other in form and content. The 31°
reveals the dynamic relationship that has existed for
centuries between human law as a means of achieving
justice, and divine justice as an ideal. The 32° reviews
the degrees of the Lodge of Perfection, the Chapter of
Rose Croix and the Council of Kadosh. In it we learn the
very ancient roots of Masonic Truth - in the East!
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"Where
Freemasonry flourishes, there will be found the highest
type of citizenship and the best standard of living."
- Albert Pike
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31°
- Inspector Inquisitor In this degree the
apprentice learns prayerful self-examination. The mistakes
today should not be committed tomorrow. Simply, the daily
look at ones self to learn to live with the future. No
apron is worn in the Supreme Tribunal, but the traditional
apron displayed is of pure white lambskin with a Teutonic
Cross of black and silver embroidered upon the flap. The
jewel is a silver Teutonic cross. The jewel is suspended
from a white collar, with a gold triangle with a "31"
inside it. The duty is to judge yourself in the same light
as you judge others, considering both actions and motives.
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SPES MEA IN DEO EST
"my hope is in god"
32°
- Master of the Royal Secret
The lessons taught in this
degree are that genuine brotherhood requires mutual
regard, opinion, esteem and charity. We always look for
the good in all and make allowances for other's
shortcomings. We trust the Supreme Architect to lead us to
friendship, morality and brotherly love. The apron of this
degree is white, lined in black, with a double-headed
eagle and a plan of the Camp of the Princes. The jewel
worn is a golden Teutonic Cross. In the center are the
letters XXXII, surrounded by a green wreath.
The cap of a Master of
the Royal Secret is black silk with a black band trimmed
in gold. In the center front is a double-headed eagle
emblem with a rayed equilateral triangle above in gold.
The triangle is red, has 32° in its center and is trimmed
with gold. The duties are: a Soldier of the Light seeks
truth and knowledge; a Soldier of Freedom demands for the
people free vote and voice and attains freedom of voice,
vote and opinion for himself; a Soldier of the True
Religion combats spiritual tyranny with reason and truth;
a Soldier of the People encourages men to be self-reliant
and independent; a Soldier of Scottish Rite Masonry is
zealous and ardent in the performance of his duties to
God, his country, his family, his brethren and himself. |
Court of Honour
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The Scottish Rite confers a
number of honors upon members who have contributed
extraordinary service to the Rite, to Masonry in general,
and to the world at large.
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Knight Commander of the
Court of Honour
The Rank of Knight
Commander of the Court of Honor is not a Degree, but an
Investiture, bestowed upon members deserving recognition
for faithful services to
the Rite or to mankind.
At the biennial session
of the Supreme Council, certain Masters of the Royal
Secret are chosen to be invested with the Rank and
Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour.
The respective Sovereign Grand Inspectors General or
Deputies nominate members for this honor, and they must
also be unanimously approved by The Supreme Council. This
Investiture is a prerequisite to receiving the
Thirty-third Degree.
The Rank of K.∙.C.∙.C.∙.H.∙.
may not be requested, and if requested must be refused.
The cap of the Knight Commander Court of Honour is red
with a darker red band trimmed in gold. In the center
front is a representation of the Knight Commander Jewel, a
Passion Cross with fancy arms, featuring in the center a
trefoil embroidered in green encircled by "Kt.∙.
Comm.∙.
Court of Honour" embroidered in gold.
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DEUS MEUMQUE JUS
"god and my right "
33° -
Inspector General Honorary The Thirty-third
Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of
the Rite in recognition of outstanding work in the Rite or
in public life. At its biennial session the Supreme
Council elects members of the Rite to receive the Degree.
Members unanimously so elected become honorary members of
the Supreme Council. The Thirty-third Degree may not be
requested, and if requested must be refused. The Degree is
granted solely out of recognition for outstanding
services. These 33° Masons are Inspectors General Honorary
and honorary members of the Supreme Council. The active
members of the Supreme Council are chosen from among them.
The cap for an Inspector General Honorary is white with a
white band edged in gold, featuring the symbol for this
honorary Degree, a red slanting Patriarchal Cross.
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Grand
Cross of the Court of Honour This is the highest
individual honor that The Supreme Council bestows. It is
voted very rarely to Thirty-third Degree Masons only for
the most exceptional and extraordinary services. The Grand
Cross cap is white with a blue band. On the front is a
replica of the Grand Cross jewel, which is composed of a
Teutonic Cross, with an embroidered crimson rose with
green leaves at its center |
About the Caps & Regalia
of the Scottish Rite |
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