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Degrees of
the Scottish Rite

Mural in the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Lake Worth, FL
- by Bro. Bernard Thomas, 33°
Portraying the building of King Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem
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The Degrees of the Scottish Rite are one-act plays often staged with costume, scenery, special effects, and the full rigging of any production. Their purpose is to examine different philosophies, ancient religions, and systems of ethics. Through all of these, people have tried to answer certain universal questions. The Degrees of the Rite do not tell a person what he should think about these questions. Instead, they tell him about what great thinkers and civilizations of the past have thought, and they try to create a situation in which the candidate or Brother can gain insight. Agreeing with Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living, the Rite helps with this self-examination by providing reference points.
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The
Lodge of Perfection
VIRTUS JUNXIT MORS NON SEPARABIT
" Whom Virtue Unites Death Shall Not Separate"
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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 teachings: 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
teachings: honesty, sincerity, and good faith. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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, and 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. |
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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 being 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."
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12°-
Master Architect
This degree teaches faith in morality and virtue and in 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.
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13°-
Royal Arch of Solomon (Knight of the Ninth Arch)
Liberty; in
our mind and our hearts, motivated by duty and honor are the lessons of
this degree. The apron worn 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. |
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14°-
Perfect Elu (Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime
Mason)
This degree teaches us to reflect and scrutinize oneself. 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.
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Chapter
of Rose Croix
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The degrees of the Chapter of Rose Croix are very complex. They attempt
to invest the candidate with a deeper understanding of Religion,
Philosophy, Ethics, and History. The intellectual challenges presented
in these degrees, is at times overwhelming, and can take years to
master. A thorough reading of the chapters related to them in Morals
and Dogma and in the Legenda and Readings is essential
to achieve even a basic comprehension of their true meaning (click images
to enlarge)
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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. |
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16°-
Prince of
Jerusalem
We learn "heroism of patience, the nobility of self-sacrifice" and
compassionate judgment, along with charity, fidelity and brotherhood.
This crimson apron is edged in gold and aurora-color, and with a square,
shield, Delta (with three YODs), balance and
a hand of justice. The jewel worn 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. |
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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 the temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness
will inevitably fall. The apron worn is of yellow satin, with crimson and
gold, and 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.
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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 others errors and their
faults. The apron worn 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.
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Council
of Kadosh
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The degrees of the
Council of Kadosh are chivalric and philosophical, but also contain mystical
material. The word "Kadosh" is a Hebrew word meaning "Holy". The complexity of
these degrees cannot be overstated and is exemplified by the number of pages
attributed to them in Morals and Dogma. The twenty-eighth degree alone is
over a quarter of the 1000+ page tome.
(click images to enlarge)
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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. |
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20°-
Master of the Symbolic Lodge
This
demonstrates
liberty, fraternity and equality. These truths teach morals, religious and
philosophical understandings. This degree helps one to comprehend Deity,
forces of nature, good and evil. The apron worn 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 that is worn is
made of gold with the same three concentric triangles.
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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 worn 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."
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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 worn in 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, Ezra (on one side) and Shem,
Kham, Yapheth,
Moses, Ahaliab, Betselal
(on the other).
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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: Sun, faith "aspiration toward the infinite"; Moon, hope; Venus, charity; Mars, fortitude "victory over rage and anger"; Mercury, prudence; Saturn, temperance; Jupiter, conqueror of the
Titans, justice. The jewel worn is a small silver censer, or ornamented
cup, held by a handle in the shape of an open hand.
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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 worn 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. |
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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 and to get a clear look at his inner self. The apron worn
is white, lined in black, and 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.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
(click images to enlarge)
"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.
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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, make allowances for others' shortcomings. We trust the Supreme
Architect to lead us to friendship, morality and brotherly love. The
apron worn in 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.
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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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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.
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To order color posters picturing
all of the regalia paintings, 4° thru 33°, including KCCH
&
Grand Cross, contact: The Supreme Council 33° S.J., 1733 16th Street
NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; Phone: 202-232-3579; or visit the
online store at:
www.srmason-sj.org
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