A rite, within the context of Freemasonry, refers to a comprehensive system of degrees that hold the capability to initiate and advance a newcomer through various stages of Masonic knowledge and experience. In some case a Master Mason can be invited to join a different rite after having reached Mastery to further his knowledge. For a system of Masonic degrees to be named rite, it must encompass the Frist three blue lodge craft degree, even if not practiced. In essence, a Masonic rite occupies a central position in the trajectory of a Mason's journey, serving as the vehicle through which Masonic teachings and lessons are imparted.[1] Except for rare exceptions, Masonic rites are most of the time under the control of a Grand Lodges for the first three degrees then under the control of a concordant body for any upper degrees.[2][3]
The most practiced rite in the world from the Entered Apprentice degree is the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.[4]
Masonic rites
Over time, a number of different Masonic degree systems have been developed, some of which are still in use, and others which have now ceased to exist. Known Masonic degree systems include:[5]
In his 1861 book "Tuileur Général De La Francmaçonnerie Ou Manuel De L'initié", Jean-Marie Ragon lists 52 Masonic Rites and over 1400 degrees.[5]
Masonic rites that are still practiced
- Adonhiramite Rite of the Baron de Tchoudy, ending with the Noachite or Prussian Knight, 13 degrees. (Practiced in Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay and France.)[6][7][8]
- Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (33 degrees)
- Ancient and Primitive Rite
- Portuguese Rite [9]
- Brazilian Rite
- Irish Rite
- French Rite
- French philosophical Rite[10]
- Moorish Rite
- National Mexican Rite
- Primitive Scottish Rite established at Namur in 1770.[7]
- Rectified Scottish Rite
- Standard Scottish Rite
- Rite Français Moderne Rétabli
- Rite of Baldwyn
- Rite of Memphis or Oriental, in 95 degrees.
- Rite of Memphis Misraim
- Rite of Misraim
- Rite Opératif de Salomon
- Schröder Rite
- Swedish Rite
- York Rite
- Martinism Rite, in 10 degrees.
- French or Modern Rite.
- Pennsylvania Rite, Only state in the United States that does not practice the American Rite
- Philosophical Scottish Rite, 1796, in 12 degrees. Still practiced in Belgium[11][7]
- Eclectic Rite, in Germany and Switzerland, 1783, 3 degrees (Blue Lodge)[7][12]
- Philosophical French Rite., This was created within the Tolérance lodge of the Grand Orient de France between 1969-2002.The rite was officially recognized by the Grand Orient de France in 2002 after over 30 years of development. It has since spread to around a dozen lodges. The rite currently only covers the three symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master).[13][14]
Masonic rites that are believed to no longer be practice
- Ancient Reformed rite[5]
- Rite of Adoption[5]
- Rite of Strict Observance[7]
- Cagliostro Adoption Rite[5]
- Rite of the Knights of the Two Eagles[5]
- Amicists Rite.[15]
- African Architect Rite, 1767.[16]
- Rite of the Chapter of Clermont, 1754.[5]
- Chaldean Rite, 3 degrees.[17]
- Fesster Rite, 1765, 9 degrees.[17]
- Clerks of the Relaxed Observance Rite, 10 Degrees.[7]
- Rite of Brother Henoch, in 4 degrees.[7]
- Indian Rite 3 degrees. [17]
- Chastannier Rite (Benedict), 1767.[5]
- Rite of the Negociates or the sublime Masters of the Luminous Ring. 1780, France, Pythagorean masonic rite, 3 degrees.[17]
- Rite of the Benevolent Knights of the Holy City of Jerusalem[5]
- Brothers of the Rose-Croix [18]
- Brotherhood of Moravian brothers of the religious order of Freemasons also called, Order of the mustard seed, 1739 [18]
- English Conclave of Templar-Kadosh Rite[5]
- Primitive Scottish Rite, from Advocate Marchet de Nivelles, in 33 degrees.[5]
- Rite of the Mother Lodge of Philosophical Scots (Paschalis).[5]
- Rite of Reformed Scots by Tschoudy, 1766.[19]
- Rite of Reformed Scots of Saint-Martin, in 7 degrees.[20]
- Egyptian Rite, as named by Cagliostro, 1782.[5]
- Rite of Elect Cőens, or Priests, 1754, Martinez Paschalis, 9 degrees.[7][21]
- Rite of the Elect of the Truth, 1779, 14 degrees in three classes.[7][21]
- Eons Rite , Zoroastrian Masonry[5]
- Rite of the Knights of the Polar Star[5]
- Fessler Rite, 1797, in 9 degrees.[22]
- Rite of the Brothers[5]
- Palladian Rite[5]
- Rite of the Black Brothers[5]
- Rite of the perfect Egyptian initiates, 7 Degrees, Lyon France, Crota -Repoa.[17]
- Rite of Universal Harmony, 1782[5]
- Rite of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes, 1740, Berlin, 17 degrees.[17]
- Zinnendorf Rite, in 7 degrees, 1770.[17]
- Heredom Rite, or Perfection, 25 degrees, 1758[5]
- Rite of the Invisibles[5]
- Rose Croix Rectified of Schroeder, 1766 in 7 degrees.[7]
- Hermetic Rite of Avignon[18]
- Rite of Liberty, founded in Paris around 1740[5]
- Rite of Memphis or Oriental, in 95 degrees[5]
- Rite of the Decorated Masters (Strict Observance) [5]
- Rite of Misraim or Judean, in 90 degrees.[5]
- French Noahides Rite, (Napoleonic Masonry).[5]
- Rite of the Templar Orient[5]
- Haitian rite, 3 degrees, (Blue Lodge)[17]
- Rite of the Land of Palestine[5]
- Pernetty Rite, or Enlightened of Avignon, 1760.[5][18]
- Persian Philosophical Rite, in 7 degrees.[7]
- Philalethes Rite, or Seekers of Truth, 1773, in 12 degrees.[23]
- Rite Primitif de Narbonne (Rite of the Primitive Philadelphians of Narbonne), 1779, in 3 degrees.[24][25]
- Schroepffer Rite (magic, evocations).[26]
- Sophisians Rite, 1801, in 7 degrees.[24]
- The Rite of Swedenborg, or Illuminated of Stockholm, in 8 degrees, 1721.[27][28]
- "Rite de la Vieille Bru" or, of the Faithful Scotchman, from Toulouse, France ,1748, 3 symbolic degrees, 6 upper, 9 total.[29][30][31]
- Rite of the Disciples of Hermes.[32]
- Manichaean Brothers Rite.[33]
- Pantheists Rite, or Socratic Lodge.[34]
- Rite of the Knights of the Pure Truth[5]
- Xerophagists Rite.[35][36]
- Rite of the Illuminated Zodiac.[5]
Diffusion of rites
France
The G∴O∴D∴F∴ (the oldest and largest French Grand Lodge) practices the following rites: [37][38]
- French Rite
- Rectified Scottish Rite
- Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
- Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm
- Philosophical French Rite.
The G∴L∴D∴F, the second largest Grand Lodge in France practices:
- Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The G∴L∴N∴F is the third largest Grand Lodge of France and the only one in regularity with the U.G.L.E. it practices:
- French Rite
- Rectified Scottish Rite
- Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
- Emulation Rite
- York Rite
- Standard Scottish Rite
United States
The Grand College of Rites focuses on the collection and publication of texts from defunct masonic degrees, and quasi-Masonic rituals used by other fraternities and societies.[39] One of its stated purposes is the prevention, within the larger community of Freemasons, of the revival or usage of any rituals that are not currently in use in the United States.[40]
