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<!-- By consensus stating that Freemasonry originated in the UK and is therefore a Commonwealth-related topic, this article uses Commonwealth (or British) English spelling. Please do not change it to American usage. -->
[[Image:Square compasses.svg|thumb|right|220px|The Masonic [[Square and Compasses]].<br>(''Found with or without the letter [[G]]'')]]
{{Freemasonry2}}

'''Freemasonry''' is a [[fraternal and service organizations|fraternal organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ation]] that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 in [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]], over a quarter of a million under the jurisdiction of the [[United Grand Lodge of England]]<ref>
{{cite web
|url= http://www.ugle.org.uk/what-is-masonry/frequently-asked-questions//
|title= Frequently Asked Questions
|publisher= United Grand Lodge of England
|accessdate= 2009-09-28
}}</ref> and just under two million in the [[United States]].<ref>Hodapp, Christopher. ''Freemasons for Dummies''. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. p. 52.</ref>

The fraternity is administratively organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ed into independent [[Grand Lodge]]s or sometimes Orients, each of which governs its own [[jurisdiction]], which consists of subordinate (or ''constituent'') Lodges. The various Grand Lodges recognise each other, or not, based upon adherence to [[Masonic Landmarks|landmarks]] (a Grand Lodge will usually deem other Grand Lodges who share common landmarks to be [[Regular Masonic jurisdictions|regular]], and those that do not to be "irregular" or "clandestine").

There are also [[Masonic bodies|appendant bodies]], which are organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations related to the main branch of Freemasonry, but with their own independent administration.

Freemasonry uses the [[metaphor]]s of operative [[stonemason|stonemasons']] tools and implements, against the [[allegory|allegorical]] backdrop of the building of [[Solomon's Temple|King Solomon's Temple]], to convey what has been described by both Masons and critics as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."<ref>{{cite encyclopedia
| last = Gruber
| first = Hermann
| editor = Remy Lafort, Censor
| encyclopedia = The Catholic encyclopedia: an international work of reference on the constitution, doctrine, discipline, and history of the Catholic Church
| volume = IX
| title = Masonry (Freemasonry)
| url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09771a.htm
| accessdate = 2009-09-28
| date = 1910-10-01
| publisher = Robert Appleton Company
| location = New York
| id = {{oclc|1017058}} }}</ref><ref>[http://www.la-mason.com/stb53.htm Masonic Service Association - Short Talk Bulletin] as reprinted on the website of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Freemasonry}}
[[Image:Goose and Gridiron.jpg|thumb|220px|Goose and Gridiron, where the [[Grand Lodge of England]] was founded]]
The origins and early development of Freemasonry are a matter of some debate and conjecture. A poem known as the "[[Masonic manuscripts|Regius Manuscript]]" has been dated to approximately 1390 and is the oldest known Masonic text.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.masonicsites.org/blue/regius1.htm
| title = The Regius Manuscript
|publisher = Masonicsites.org
}}</ref> There is evidence to suggest that there were Masonic lodges in existence in [[Scotland]] as early as the late 16th century<ref>
{{cite book
| last = Stevenson
| first = David
| month = November
| year = 1988
| title = The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century 1590-1710
| location = Cambridge
| publisher = Cambridge University Press
| isbn = 9780521353267
| oclc = 17546610 }}</ref> (for example the [[Lodge Mother Kilwinning|Lodge at Kilwinning]], Scotland, has records that date to the late 16th century, and is mentioned in the Second [[William Schaw|Schaw]] Statutes (1599) which specified that "ye warden of ye lug of Kilwynning [...] tak tryall of ye [[art of memory|airt of memorie]] and science yrof, of everie fellowe of craft and everie prenteiss according to ayr of yr vocations").<ref>[http://www.southchurch.mesh4us.org.uk/pdf/important/secondschawstatute.pdf Second Schaw Statutes], 1599.</ref> There are clear references to the existence of lodges in [[England]] by the mid-17th century.<ref name="coil_encyc">{{cite encyclopedia
| last = Coil
| first = Henry Wilson
| year = 1961
| encyclopedia = Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia
| editor = William M. Brown, William L. Cummings, Harold Van Buren Voorhes
| edition = Revised and Updated by Allen E. Roberts, 1995
| location = Richmond, Va
| publisher = Macoy Pub. & Masonic Supply Co.
| isbn = 9780880530545}}</ref>

The first Grand Lodge, the [[Grand Lodge of England]] (GLE), was founded on 24 June 1717, when four existing [[London]] Lodges met for a joint dinner. This rapidly expanded into a regulatory body, which most English Lodges joined. However, a few lodges resented some of the modernisations that GLE endorsed, such as the creation of the Third Degree, and formed a rival Grand Lodge on 17 July 1751, which they called the "[[Antient Grand Lodge of England]]". The two competing Grand Lodges vied for supremacy&nbsp;– the "Moderns" (GLE) and the "Antients" (or "Ancients")&nbsp;– until they united on 25 November 1813 to form the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] (UGLE).<ref>{{cite book|author=[[S. Brent Morris]]|title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry|publisher=Alpha/Penguin Books|isbn=1-59257-490-4|page=27|year=2006}}</ref>

The [[Grand Lodge of Ireland]] and The [[Grand Lodge of Scotland]] were formed in 1725 and 1736 respectively. Freemasonry was exported to the British Colonies in [[North America]] by the 1730s&nbsp;– with both the "Antients" and the "Moderns" (as well as the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland) chartering offspring, or "daughter", Lodges, and organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ing various Provincial Grand Lodges. After the [[American Revolution]], independent U.S. Grand Lodges formed themselves within each State. Some thought was briefly given to organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ing an over-arching "Grand Lodge of the [[United States]]", with [[George Washington]] (who was a member of a Virginian lodge) as the first Grand Master, but the idea was short-lived. The various State Grand Lodges did not wish to diminish their own authority by agreeing to such a body.<ref>{{cite book
| title = Revolutionary brotherhood: Freemasonry and the transformation of the American social order, 1730-1840
| first = Steven C.
| last = Bullock
| coauthors = Institute of Early American History and Culture (Williamsburg, Va.)
| location = Chapel Hill
| publisher = University of North Carolina Press
| year = 1996
| isbn = 9780807847503
| oclc = 33334015 }}</ref>

Although there are no real differences in the Freemasonry practiced by lodges chartered by the Antients or the Moderns, the remnants of this division can still be seen in the names of most Lodges, F.& A.M. being ''Free and Accepted Masons'' and A.F.& A.M. being ''Antient<!--NOTE: Please DO NOT CORRECT the spelling on this... the article uses an older, British spelling intentionally.--> Free and Accepted Masons''.
[[File:Room at Masonic Hall Bury St Edmunds Suffolk England.jpg|thumb|left|225px|View of room at the Masonic Hall, [[Bury St Edmunds]], [[Suffolk]], [[England]], early 20th century]]
The oldest jurisdiction on the continent of [[Europe]], the [[Grand Orient de France]] (GOdF), was founded in 1728. However, most English-speaking jurisdictions cut formal relations with the GOdF around 1877&nbsp;– when the GOdF removed the requirement that its members have a belief in a Deity, thereby accepting atheists. The [[Grande Loge Nationale Française]] (GLNF)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.glnf.asso.fr/
| title = GLNF: Grande Loge Nationale Francaise
| publisher = Grande Loge Nationale Francaise (GLNF)
| accessdate = 2006-02-06
| language = French }}</ref> is currently the only [[France|French]] Grand Lodge that is in ''regular amity'' with the UGLE and its many concordant jurisdictions worldwide.

Due to the above history, Freemasonry is often said to consist of two branches ''not in mutual regular amity'':

* the UGLE and concordant tradition of jurisdictions (mostly termed Grand Lodges) in amity, and
* the GOdF, European Continental, tradition of jurisdictions (often termed Grand Orients) in amity.

In most [[Latin Europe|Latin]] countries, the GOdF-style of European [[Continental Freemasonry]] predominates,{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} although in most of these Latin countries there are also Grand Lodges that are in ''regular amity'' with the UGLE and the worldwide community of Grand Lodges that share regular "fraternal relations" with the UGLE. The rest of the world, accounting for the bulk of Freemasonry, tends to follow more closely to the UGLE style, although minor variations exist.

== Organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ational structure ==
<!-- By consensus stating that Freemasonry originated in the UK and is therefore a Commonwealth-related topic, this article uses Commonwealth (or British) English spelling. Please do not change it to American usage. -->
[[Image:freemasons.hall.london.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Freemasons' Hall, London|Freemasons Hall]], London, home of the [[United Grand Lodge of England]].]]
{{Main|Grand Lodge}}

Grand Lodges and Grand Orients are independent and [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] bodies that govern Masonry in a given country, state, or geographical area (termed a ''jurisdiction'').<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/education/code/000.html
| year = 2007
| title = Constitution
| publisher = Grand Lodge of North Carolina
| accessdate = 2007-04-09 }} See Preamble.</ref> There is no single overarching governing body that presides over worldwide Freemasonry; connections between different jurisdictions depend solely on mutual recognition.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://bessel.org/dcrecreq.htm
| publisher = Grand Lodge FAAM (Free And Accepted Masons) of Washington, D.C. (the District of Columbia), Committee on Masonic Recognition
| title = Form letter to request mutual recognition
| accessdate = 2007-04-09}} Example letter to request recognition.</ref>

=== Regularity ===
{{Main|Regular Masonic jurisdictions}}

''Regularity'' is a constitutional mechanism whereby Grand Lodges or Grand Orients give one another mutual recognition. This recognition allows formal interaction at the Grand Lodge level, and gives individual Freemasons the opportunity to attend Lodge meetings in other recognised jurisdictions. Conversely, regularity [[wikt:proscribe|proscribes]] interaction with Lodges that are ''irregular''. A Mason who visits an irregular Lodge may have his membership suspended for a time, or he may be [[Expulsion|expelled]]. For this reason, all Grand Lodges maintain lists of other jurisdictions and lodges they consider regular.<ref>{{cite book
| title = Handbook for Candidate's Coaches
| first = Donald G.
| last = Campbell
| coauthors = Committee on Ritual
| publisher = Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of California
| chapterurl = http://mastersjewel.com/masons/mm/MM07.htm
| format = excerpt
| chapter = The Master Mason; Irregular and Clandestine Lodges
| accessdate = 2007-05-08
| quote = The solution of the problem [of irregular Masonry] lies in the publication furnished every California lodge. Entitled "List of Regular Lodges Masonic", it is issued by the Grand Lodge of California to its constituent lodges, with the admonition that this book is to be kept in each lodge for reference in receiving visitors and on applications for affiliation. There may well be an old copy which you can use, for it is re-issued every year.}}</ref>

Grand Lodges and Grand Orients that afford mutual recognition and allow intervisitation are said to be ''[[wikt:amity|in amity]]''. As far as the UGLE is concerned, regularity is predicated upon a number of ''landmarks'', set down in the UGLE Constitution and the Constitutions of those Grand Lodges with which they are in amity. Even within this definition there are some variations with the quantity and content of the Landmarks from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Other Masonic groups organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->e differently.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.phylaxis.org/bogusmasonry/regularitypha.htm
| title = Report From The United Grand Lodge of England: Prince Hall Masonry and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
| format = Annex A: Regularity
| publisher = Joseph A. Walkes Jr. Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, Phylaxis Society
| date = 2006-10-03
| accessdate = 2007-04-07 }}</ref>

Each of the two major branches of Freemasonry considers the Lodges within its branch to be "regular" and those in the other branch to be "irregular". As the UGLE branch is significantly larger, however, the various Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in amity with UGLE are commonly referred to as being "regular" (or "Mainstream") Masonry, while those Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in amity with GOdF are commonly referred to "liberal" or "irregular" Masonry. (The issue is complicated by the fact that the usage of "Lodge" versus "Orient" alone is not an indicator of which branch a body belongs to, and thus not an indication of regularity). The term "irregular" is also universally applied to various self created bodies that call themselves "Masonic" but are not recognised by either of the main branches.

=== Masonic Lodge ===
{{Main|Masonic Lodge}}
A Lodge (often termed a ''Private Lodge'' or ''Constituent Lodge'' in Masonic constitutions) is the basic organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ational unit of Freemasonry. Every new Lodge must have a Warrant or Charter issued by a Grand Lodge, authorising it to meet and work. Except for the very few "time immemorial" Lodges pre-dating the formation of a Grand Lodge, masons who meet as a Lodge without displaying this document (for example, in prisoner-of-war camps) are deemed "Clandestine" and irregular.

A Lodge must hold regular meetings at a fixed place and published dates. It will elect, initiate and promote its members and officers; it will build up and manage its property and assets, including its minutes and records; and it may own, occupy or share its premises. Like any organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ation, it will have formal business to manage its meetings and proceedings, annual general meetings and [[committee]]s, [[Charitable organization|charity funds]], correspondence and reports, membership and subscriptions, accounts and tax returns, special events and catering, and so forth. The balance of activities is individual to each Lodge, and under their common constitutions and forms of procedure, Lodges evolve very distinctive traditions.

A man can only be initiated, or made a Mason, in a Lodge, of which he may often remain a subscribing member for life. A Master Mason can generally visit any Lodge meeting under any jurisdiction in amity with his own, and as well as the formal meeting, a Lodge may well offer hospitality. A visitor should first check the regularity of that Lodge, and must be able to satisfy that Lodge of his own regularity; and he may be refused admission if adjudged likely to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge. If he wishes to visit the same Lodge repeatedly, he may be expected to join it and pay a subscription.

Most Lodges consist of Freemasons living or working within a given town or neighbourhood. Other Lodges are composed of Masons with a particular shared interest, [[profession]] or background. Shared [[school]]s, [[university|universities]], [[military unit]]s, Masonic appointments or degrees, arts, professions and [[hobby|hobbies]] have all been the qualifications for such Lodges. In some Lodges, the foundation and name may now be only of historic interest, as over time the membership evolves beyond that envisaged by its "founding brethren"; in others, the membership remains exclusive.

There are also specialist Lodges of Research, with membership drawn from Master Masons only, with interests in Masonic Research (of [[history]], [[philosophy]], etc.). Lodges of Research are fully warranted but, generally, do not initiate new candidates. Lodges of Instruction in UGLE may be warranted by any ordinary Lodge for the learning and rehearsal of Masonic [[Ritual]].

Freemasons correctly meet ''as'' a Lodge, not ''in'' a Lodge, the word "Lodge" referring more to the people assembled than the place of assembly. However, in common usage, Masonic premises are often referred to as "Lodges". Masonic buildings are also sometimes called "Temples" ("of [[Philosophy]] and [[The arts|the Arts]]"). In many countries, ''Masonic Centre'' or ''Hall'' has replaced ''Temple'' to avoid arousing prejudice and suspicion. Several different Lodges, as well as other Masonic or non-Masonic organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations, often use the same premises at different times.

According to Masonic tradition, medieval European stonemasons would meet, eat, and shelter outside working hours in a Lodge on the southern side of a building site, where the sun warms the stones during the day. The social ''Festive Board'' (or ''Social Board'')<ref>{{cite web
| last = Bourne
| first = W.J.
| title = The Festive Board
| year = 1997
| format = abridged portion
| url = http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/godolphin.lodge/html/festive_board.html
| publisher = Godolphin Lodge No. 7790
| accessdate = 2007-04-09 }}</ref>
part of the meeting is thus sometimes called ''the South''.<ref>
{{cite book
| last = Mackey
| first = Albert Gallatin
| authorlink = Albert Mackey
| chapter = South
| title = Lexicon of Freemasonry
| location = New York
| publisher = Barnes & Noble
| year = 2004
| isbn = 0760760039
| oclc = 58654158
| pages = 445
| quote = ...but when <nowiki>[the sun]</nowiki> reaches the south, the hour is high twelve, and we are summoned to refreshment. }}</ref> Early Lodges often met in a [[tavern]] or any other convenient fixed place with a private room.

=== Lodge Officers ===
{{Main|Masonic Lodge Officers}}

Every Masonic Lodge elects certain officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge's work. The Worshipful Master (essentially the lodge President) is always an elected officer. Most jurisdictions will also elect the Senior and Junior Wardens (Vice Presidents), the Secretary and the Treasurer. All lodges will have a Tyler, or Tiler, (who guards the door to the lodge room while the lodge is in session), sometimes elected and sometimes appointed by the Master. In addition to these elected officers, lodges will have various appointed officers&nbsp;– such as Deacons, Stewards, and a Chaplain (appointed to lead a non-denominational prayer at the convocation of meetings or activities&nbsp;– often, but not necessarily, a clergyman). The specific offices and their functions vary between jurisdictions.

Many offices are replicated at the Provincial and Grand Lodge levels with the addition of the word 'Grand' somewhere in the title. For example, where every lodge has a 'Junior Warden', Grand Lodges have a 'Grand Junior Warden' (or sometimes 'Junior Grand Warden'). Additionally, there are a number of offices that exist only at the Grand Lodge level.<ref>Hodapp, Christopher. ''Freemasons for Dummies''. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. pp. 97-104.</ref>

=== Prince Hall Freemasonry ===
{{Main|Prince Hall Freemasonry}}

Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events in the early United States that led to a tradition of separate, predominantly [[African-American]] Freemasonry in North America.

In 1775, an African-American named [[Prince Hall]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.mindspring.com/~johnsonx/whoisph.htm
| title = Who is Prince Hall? And other well known Prince Hall Masons
| first = Lawrence
| last = Johnson
| year = 1996
| accessdate = 2005-11-14 }}</ref> was initiated into an Irish Constitution military Lodge then in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], along with fourteen other African-Americans, all of whom were free-born. When the military Lodge left North America, those fifteen men were given the authority to meet as a Lodge, form Processions on the days of the Saints John, and conduct Masonic funerals, but not to confer degrees, nor to do other Masonic work. In 1784, these individuals applied for, and obtained, a Lodge Warrant from the Premier Grand Lodge of England (GLE) and formed African Lodge, Number 459. When the UGLE was formed in 1813, all U.S.-based Lodges were stricken from their rolls&nbsp;– due largely to the [[War of 1812]]. Thus, separated from both UGLE and any concordantly recognised U.S. Grand Lodge, African Lodge re-titled itself as the African Lodge, Number 1&nbsp;– and became a ''de facto'' "Grand Lodge" (this Lodge is not to be confused with the various Grand Lodges on the Continent of [[Africa]]). As with the rest of U.S. Freemasonry, Prince Hall Freemasonry soon grew and organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ed on a Grand Lodge system for each state.

Widespread [[Racial segregation|segregation]] in 19th- and early 20th-century North America made it difficult for African-Americans to join Lodges outside of Prince Hall jurisdictions&nbsp;– and impossible for inter-jurisdiction recognition between the parallel U.S. Masonic authorities.

Prince Hall Masonry has always been ''regular'' in all respects except constitutional separation, and this separation has diminished in recent years. At present, Prince Hall Grand Lodges are recognised by some UGLE Concordant Grand Lodges and not by others, but they appear to be working toward full recognition, with UGLE granting at least some degree of recognition.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://bessel.org/masrec/phamapshistorical.htm
| title = Prince Hall Masonry Recognition details: Historical Maps
| first = Paul M.
| last = Bessel
| accessdate = 2005-11-14 }}</ref> There are a growing number of both Prince Hall Lodges and non-Prince Hall Lodges that have ethnically diverse membership.

=== Other degrees, orders and bodies ===
{{Main|Masonic appendant bodies}}
There is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, the Third Degree.<ref name="Aims and Relationships"/> There are, however, a number of organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations that require being a Master Mason as a prerequisite for membership.<ref name="Beyond">{{cite book
| title = Beyond the Craft
| first = Keith B.
| last = Jackson
| publisher = Lewis Masonic
| location = London
| year = 1980
| isbn = 9780853181187
| oclc = 16542250 }}</ref> These bodies have no authority over the Craft.<ref name="Aims and Relationships"/> These orders or degrees may be described as additional or ''appendant'', and often provide a further perspective on some of the allegorical, moral and philosophical content of Freemasonry.

Appendant bodies are administered separately from Craft Grand Lodges but are styled ''Masonic'' since every member must be a Mason. However, Craft Masonic jurisdictions vary in their relationships with such bodies, if a relationship exists at all. The Articles of Union of the "Modern" and "Antient" craft Grand Lodges (into UGLE in 1813) limited recognition to certain degrees, such as the [[Holy Royal Arch|Royal Arch]] and the "chivalric degrees", but there were and are many other degrees that have been worked since before the Union. Some bodies are not universally considered to be appendant bodies, but rather separate organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations that happen to require prior Masonic affiliation for membership. Some of these organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations have additional requirements, such as religious adherence (e.g., requiring members to profess [[Trinitarianism|Trinitarian]] Christian beliefs) or membership of other bodies.

Quite apart from these, there are organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations that are often thought of as being related to Freemasonry, but which have no formal or informal connections with Freemasonry. These include such organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ations as the [[Orange Institution|Orange Order]], which originated in Ireland, the [[Knights of Pythias]], or the [[Independent Order of Odd Fellows]].<ref>[http://www.ugle.org.uk/masonry/YQA-other-orgs.htm Q&A: Other organisations] on the UGLE webpage.</ref>

== Principles and activities ==
While Freemasonry has often been called a "[[secret society]]", Freemasons themselves argue that it is more correct to say that it is an [[Esotericism|esoteric]] society, in that certain aspects are private.<ref name="Aims and Relationships">{{cite book
| title = Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons
| url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/pdf/cr-rule-update2-141205.pdf
| format=pdf
| accessdate = 2007-05-08
| origyear = 1815
| year = 2005
| author = United Grand Lodge of England
| location = London
| publisher = Freemason's Hall
| chapter = Aims and Relationships of the Craft
| pages = x–xii
| oclc = 18976592 }}</ref> The most common phrasing being that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets".<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/freemasonryrevealed/secrets.htm
| title = Freemasonry Revealed: The Secrets of Freemasonry
| publisher = Grand Lodge of North Carolina
| year = 1997
| accessdate = 2006-06-12 }}</ref> The private aspects of modern Freemasonry are the modes of [[Recognition (sociology)|recognition]] amongst members and particular elements within the [[ritual]].<ref name="Ritual">{{cite book
| title = Emulation Ritual
| author = Freemasons. Emulation Lodge of Improvement (London, England)
| location = London
| publisher = Lewis Masonic
| year = 1991
| isbn = 9780853181873
| oclc = 40357899 }}</ref> Despite the organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ation's great diversity, Freemasonry's central preoccupations remain charitable work within a local or wider community, moral uprightness (in most cases requiring a belief in a Supreme Being) as well as the development and maintenance of fraternal friendship&nbsp;– as James Anderson's Constitutions originally urged&nbsp;– amongst brethren.

=== Ritual, symbolism, and morality ===
Masons conduct their meetings using a ritualised format. There is no single Masonic ritual, and each jurisdiction is free to set (or not set) its own ritual. However, there are similarities that exist among jurisdictions. For example, all Masonic ritual makes use of the [[architecture|architectural]] symbolism of the tools of the [[medieval]] ''operative'' stonemason. Freemasons, as ''speculative'' masons (meaning philosophical building rather than actual building), use this symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth"&nbsp;– or as related in France: "[[Liberté, égalité, fraternité|Liberty, Equality, Fraternity]]".
[[Image:Square and compasses2.JPG|thumb|left|220px|The [[Square and Compasses]] carved into stone]]

Two of the principal symbolic tools always found in a Lodge are the ''[[steel square|square]]'' and ''[[Compass (drafting)|compasses]]''. Some Lodges and rituals explain these tools as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". However, as Freemasonry is non-dogmatic, there is no general interpretation for these tools (or any Masonic emblem) that is used by Freemasonry as a whole.<ref name="spoilt">{{cite journal
| last = Gilkes
| first = Peter
| year = 2004
| month = July
| title = Masonic ritual: Spoilt for choice
| journal = Masonic Quarterly Magazine
| issue = 10
| url = http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-10/p-61.php
| accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref>

These moral lessons are communicated in performance of allegorical ritual. A candidate progresses through ''degrees''<ref name="Aims and Relationships"/> gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being (as per his own interpretation). While the philosophical aspects of Freemasonry tend to be discussed in Lodges of Instruction or Research, and sometimes informal groups, Freemasons, and others, frequently publish&nbsp;– to varying degrees of competence&nbsp;– studies that are available to the public. Any mason may speculate on the symbols and purpose of Freemasonry, and indeed all masons are required to some extent to speculate on masonic meaning as a condition of advancing through the [[#Degrees|degrees]]. There is no one accepted meaning and no one person "speaks" for the whole of Freemasonry.<ref>Hodapp, Christopher; ''Freemasons for Dummies'' p. 15.</ref>

Some lodges make use of [[Tracing board]]s. These are painted or printed illustrations depicting the various symbolic [[emblem]]s of Freemasonry. They can be used as teaching aids during the lectures that follow each of the three Degrees, when an experienced member explains the various concepts of Freemasonry to new members. They can also be used by experienced members as self-reminders of the concepts they learned as they went through their [[initiation]]s.

=== The Supreme Being and the Volume of Sacred Law ===
Candidates for [[Regular Masonic jurisdictions|regular]] Freemasonry are required to declare a belief in a [[Supreme Being]].<ref name="a religion?">{{cite web |url=http://www.grandlodge-england.org/masonry/A2L-religion.htm |title=Is Freemasonry a religion? |accessdate=2007-05-08 |work=United Grand Lodge of England}}</ref> However, the candidate is not asked to expand on, or explain, his interpretation of Supreme Being. The discussion of [[politics]] and [[religion]] is forbidden within a [[Masonic Lodge]], in part so a Mason will not be placed in the situation of having to justify his personal interpretation.<ref>[http://www.nhgrandlodge.org/___Becoming_a_Mason/body____becoming_a_mason.html Becoming a Mason - To become one, ask one: What is Freemasonry?] accessed 10 June 2007.</ref> Thus, reference to the Supreme Being will mean the Christian [[Trinity]] to a Christian Mason, [[God in Islam|Allah]] to a Muslim Mason, [[Para Brahman]] to a Hindu Mason, etc. And while most Freemasons would take the view that the term Supreme Being equates to [[God]], others may hold a more complex or philosophical interpretation of the term.

In the ritual, the Supreme Being is referred to as the [[Great Architect of the Universe]], which alludes to the use of architectural symbolism within Freemasonry.<ref>{{cite news|author=William K. Bissey|work=The Indiana Freemason|date=Spring 1997|title=G.A.O.T.U.|url=http://srjarchives.tripod.com/1997-08/Bissey.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=[[S. Brent Morris]]|title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry|publisher=Alpha/Penguin Books|isbn=1-59257-490-4|page=212|year=2006}}</ref>

A ''[[Volume of the Sacred Law]]'' is always displayed in an open Lodge in those jurisdictions which require a belief in the Supreme Being. In English-speaking countries, this is frequently the [[King James Version of the Bible]] or another standard translation; there is no such thing as an exclusive "Masonic Bible".<ref name="UGLE home">{{cite web
| url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/index.htm
| title = The United Grand Lodge of England&nbsp;— Home Page
| publisher = United Grand Lodge of England
| year = 2002
| accessdate = 2006-02-23 }}</ref> Furthermore, a candidate is given his choice of religious text for his Obligation, according to his beliefs. UGLE alludes to similarities to legal practice in the UK, and to a common source with other oath taking processes.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/defendant/walkthrough/the_trial/faqs/index.html#2642
| title = UK Government information on Courts system
| publisher = Criminal Justice System for England and Wales
| accessdate = 2006-03-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/masonry/A2L-promises.htm
| title = What promises do Freemasons take?
| year = 2002
| accessdate = 2007-05-08
| publisher = United Grand Lodge of England }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| title = The origins of freemasonry: facts & fictions
| first = Margaret C.
| last = Jacob
| publisher = University of Pennsylvania Press
| location = Philadelphia
| year = 2005
| isbn = 9780812239010
| oclc = 61478025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/feudal.htm
| first = Chris
| last = Trueman
| title = Feudalism
| accessdate = 2006-03-08
| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060421024923/http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/feudal.htm
| archivedate = 2006-04-21
| quote = They had to swear an oath of loyalty to William... a sworn oath on the Bible was a very important thing and one which few men would dare to break as it would condemn them to Hell.}}</ref> In Lodges with a membership of mixed religions it is common to find more than one sacred text displayed. In lodges that follow the [[Continental Freemasonry|Continental]] tradition, other important documents are used instead of a VSL (for example the Grand Orient of France places the Constitution of France on its altar).

=== Degrees ===
[[File:Masonic Register 1876.jpg|thumb|right|220px|In the 19th century, certificates such as this were commonly issued to Masons to show that they had taken the three [[Degree (freemasonry)|degrees]] of Craft Masonry in a regular lodge]]
The three degrees of ''Craft'' or ''Blue Lodge'' Freemasonry are those of:

# ''Entered Apprentice''&nbsp;– the degree of an Initiate, which makes one a Freemason;
# ''Fellow Craft''&nbsp;– an intermediate degree, involved with learning;
# ''Master Mason''&nbsp;– the "third degree", a necessity for participation in most aspects of Masonry.

The degrees represent stages of personal development. No Freemason is told that there is only one meaning to the allegories; as a Freemason works through the degrees and studies their lessons, he interprets them for himself, his personal interpretation being bounded only by the Constitution within which he works.<ref name="UGLE home"/> A common symbolic structure and universal archetypes provide a means for each Freemason to come to his own answers to life's important philosophical questions.

There is no degree of Craft Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason.<ref name="Aims and Relationships"/> Although some Masonic bodies and orders have further degrees named with higher numbers, these degrees may be considered to be supplements to the Master Mason degree rather than promotions from it.<ref name="Beyond" /> An example is the [[Scottish Rite]], conferring degrees numbered from 4° up to 33°.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.supremecouncil.org/index.tpl?&ng_view=18
|title=Scottish Rite Freemasonry&nbsp;— Ritual and Degrees.
| accessdate = 2007-05-08
| publisher = Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Jurisdiction&nbsp;– United States of America }}</ref> It is essential to be a Master Mason in order to qualify for these further degrees. They are administered on a parallel system to ''Craft'' or ''Blue Lodge'' Freemasonry; within each organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ation there is a system of offices, which confer rank within that degree or order alone.

In some jurisdictions, especially those in continental Europe, Freemasons working through the degrees may be asked to prepare papers on related philosophical topics, and present these papers in open Lodge. There is an enormous bibliography of Masonic papers, magazines and publications ranging from fanciful abstractions which construct spiritual and moral lessons of varying value, through practical handbooks on organisation, management and ritual performance, to serious historical and philosophical papers entitled to academic respect.

=== Signs, grips and words ===
Freemasons use ''signs'' (gestures), ''grips'' or ''tokens'' (handshakes) and ''words'' to gain admission to meetings and identify legitimate visitors.

From the early 18th century onwards, many exposés have been written claiming to reveal these signs, grips and passwords to the uninitiated. A classic response was deliberately to transpose certain words in the ritual, so as to catch out anyone relying on the exposé. However, since each Grand Lodge is free to create its own rituals, the signs, grips and passwords can and do differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.<ref name=spoilt/> Furthermore, Grand Lodges can and do change their rituals periodically, updating the language used, adding or omitting sections.<ref name="changes">John J. Robinson, ''A Pilgrim's Path'', M. Evans and Co., Inc. New York, p.129</ref> Therefore, any exposé can only be valid for a particular jurisdiction at a particular time, and is always difficult for an outsider to verify. Today, an unknown visitor may be required to produce a certificate, dues card or other documentation of membership in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the signs, grips and passwords.

=== Obligations ===

Obligations are those elements of ritual in which a candidate swears to abide by the rules of the fraternity, to keep the "secrets of Freemasonry" (which are the various signs, tokens and words associated with recognition in each degree), and to act towards others in accordance with Masonic tradition and law.<ref name="Ritual" /> In regular jurisdictions these obligations are sworn on the aforementioned ''Volume of the Sacred Law'' and in the witness of the Supreme Being and often with assurance that it is of the candidate's own free will.

Details of the obligations vary; some versions are published<ref name="Ritual" /> while others are privately printed in books of coded text. Still other jurisdictions rely on oral transmission of ritual, and thus have no ritual books at all.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Bessel
| first = Paul M.
| url = http://bessel.org/writrits.htm
| title = Printed Rituals
| date = 2006-11-29
| accessdate = 2007-03-15 }}</ref> Moreover, not all printed rituals are authentic&nbsp;– [[Léo Taxil]]'s exposure, for example, is a proven hoax, while Duncan's Masonic Monitor (created, in part, by merging elements of several rituals then in use) was never adopted by any regular jurisdiction.

Whilst no single obligation is representative of Freemasonry as a whole, a number of common themes appear when considering a range of potential texts. Content which may appear in at least one of the three obligations includes: the candidate promises to act in a manner befitting a member of civilised society, promises to obey the law of his Supreme Being, promises to obey the law of his sovereign state, promises to attend his lodge if he is able, promises not to wrong, cheat nor defraud the Lodge or the brethren, and promises aid or charity to a member of the human family, brethren and their families in times of need if it can be done without causing financial harm to himself or his dependents.<ref name="Ritual" /><ref>{{cite book
| title = Bristol Masonic Ritual: The Oldest and Most Unique Craft Ritual Used in England
| first = Charles E.
| last = Cohoughlyn-Burroughs
| origyear = 1996
| year = 2004
| location = Kila, Mont.
| publisher = Kessinger
| isbn = 9781417915668
| oclc = 78368255 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| title = Craft Ritual
| publisher = Privately published
| year = 1990 }}</ref>

The obligations are historically known amongst various sources critical of Freemasonry for their so-called "bloody penalties",<ref>"One is made to swear secrecy to the point that bloody penalties of death are involved." [http://www.ephesians5-11.org/washum.htm Testimony of Duane Washum, Past Worshipful Master], [http://www.ephesians5-11.org/ ephesians5-11]</ref> an allusion to the apparent physical penalties associated with each degree. This leads to some descriptions of the Obligations as "Oaths". The corresponding text, with regard to the penalties, does not appear in authoritative, endorsed sources,<ref name="Ritual" /> following a decision "that all references to physical penalties be omitted from the obligations taken by Candidates in the three Degrees and by a Master Elect at his Installation but retained elsewhere in the respective ceremonies".<ref name=preface>{{cite book
| title = Emulation Ritual
| author = Freemasons. Emulation Lodge of Improvement
| location = London, England
| publisher = Lewis Masonic
| edition = 8th
| url = http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Misc/emu-pref.html
| pages = Preface
| accessdate = 2007-07-08
| nopp = true }}</ref> The penalties are interpreted symbolically, and are not applied in actuality by a Lodge or by any other body of Masonry. The descriptive nature of the penalties alludes to how the candidate should feel about himself should he knowingly violate his obligation.<ref>{{cite web
| first = Roger
| last = Firestone
| url = http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/www/Masonry/Questions/difficult.html
| title = Difficult Questions About Freemasonry
| date = 2001-12-01
| accessdate = 2007-07-08 }}</ref> Modern actual penalties may include suspension, expulsion or reprimand.

=== Landmarks ===
{{Main|Masonic Landmarks}}
The Landmarks of Masonry are defined as ancient and unchangeable principles; standards by which the regularity of Lodges and Grand Lodges are judged. Each Grand Lodge is self-governing and no single authority exists over the whole of Freemasonry. The interpretation of these principles therefore can and does vary, leading to controversies of recognition.

The concept of Masonic Landmarks appears in Masonic regulations as early as 1723, and seems to be adopted from the regulations of operative masonic guilds. In 1858, [[Albert Mackey|Albert G. Mackey]] attempted to set down 25 Landmarks.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Mackey
| first = Albert G.
| authorlink = Albert Mackey
| year = 1858
| month = October
| title = Landmarks of Freemasonry
| journal = American Quarterly Review of Freemasonry and its kindred sciences
| volume = ii
| page = 230
| issn = 0741-790X
| id = {{oclc|1480641}}
| url = http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grandlodge/landmarks.html
| accessdate = 2007-04-09 }} (Transcribed by Eugene Goldman, 10 September 1998.)</ref> In 1863, George Oliver published a Freemason's Treasury in which he listed 40 Landmarks. A number of American Grand Lodges have attempted the task of enumerating the Landmarks; numbers differing from West Virginia (7) and New Jersey (10) to Nevada (39) and Kentucky (54).<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Botelho
| first = Michael A.
| year = 2002
| month = February
| title = Masonic Landmarks
| journal = The Scottish Rite Journal
| url = http://www.srmason-sj.org/web/journal-files/Issues/Feb02/botelho.htm
| issn = 1076-8572
| id = {{oclc|21360724}}
| accessdate = 2007-05-08 }}</ref>

=== Charitable effort ===
The fraternity is widely involved in charity and community service activities. In contemporary times, money is collected ''only'' from the membership, and is to be devoted to ''charitable'' purposes. Freemasonry worldwide disburses substantial charitable amounts to non-Masonic charities, locally, nationally and internationally.<ref>[http://www.ugle.org.uk/charity/intro.htm UGL]</ref><ref>[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_charity.html Masonic Charity]</ref> In earlier centuries, however, charitable funds were collected more on the basis of a Provident or [[Friendly Society]], and there were elaborate regulations to determine a petitioner's eligibility for consideration for charity, according to strictly Masonic criteria.

Some examples of Masonic charities include:

*Homes<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.rmbi.org.uk/
| title=Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute
| accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref> that provide [[sheltered housing]] or nursing care.
*Education with both educational grants<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rmtgb.org/ |title=Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys |accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref> or schools such as the [[Royal Masonic School|Royal Masonic School (UK)]]<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk/pages/default.asp
| title=Royal Masonic School for Girls
| accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref> which are open to all and not limited to the families of Freemasons.
*Medical assistance.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.nmsf.org
| title=New Masonic Samaritan Fund
| accessdate=2007-05-08}}</ref>
*[[Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP)]].

In addition to these, there are thousands of philanthropic organisations around the world created by Freemasons. The Masonic Service Association,<ref>[http://www.msana.com Masonic Service Association].</ref> the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory,<ref>[http://www.mmrl.edu Welcome to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory].</ref> and the [[Shriners Hospitals for Children]]<ref>[http://www.shrinershq.org Shriners - Welcome].</ref> are especially notable charitable endeavours that Masons have founded and continue to support both intellectually and monetarily.

== Membership requirements ==
[[Image:Freimaurer Initiation.jpg|thumb|350px|Freemasonry [[initiation]]. 18th century]]

Contrary to common misconception, joining Freemasonry is not by invitation only. In fact, in many jurisdictions, the brothers of the lodge are not allowed to ask potential candidates to join (in these jurisdictions, the brethren must wait for the potential candidate to inquire). Other jurisdictions allow for varying degrees of solicitation.

However the initial introduction is made, the official process of becoming a Mason begins when a candidate for Freemasonry formally petitions a lodge. The brethren will then investigate the candidate, to assure themselves of his good character, and hold a secret ballot election (often using an old fashioned [[ballot box]]). The number of adverse votes needed to reject a candidate varries from jurisdiction to jurisdiction (in some, one "[[Blackballing|black ball]]" is enough to reject, in others up to three are required).

=== General requirements ===

Generally, to be accepted for initiation as a regular Freemason, a candidate must:<ref name="Aims and Relationships"/>

* Be a [[man]] who comes of his own free will.
* Believe in a Supreme Being (the form of which is left to open interpretation by the candidate).
* Be at least the minimum age (from 18–25 years old depending on the jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions the son of a Mason, known as a "Lewis", may join at an earlier age than others).
* Be of good morals, and of good reputation.
* Be of sound mind and body (Lodges had in the past denied membership to a man because of a physical disability; however, now, if a potential candidate says a disability will not cause problems, it will not be held against him).
* Be free-born (or "born free", i.e., not born a [[Slavery|slave]] or [[Serfdom|bondsman]]).<ref>{{cite book | last = Robinson | first = John J. | title = Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry | location = New York | publisher = Evans | year = 1989 | page = 56 | isbn = 9780871316028 | oclc = 20419501 | quote = ... by the late fifteenth century virtually every man in England was free. }} Robinson also states that the presence of the requirement meant that Freemasonry was organisationally much older than the 1717 founding of the Premier Grand Lodge of England.</ref> As with the previous, this is entirely an historical holdover, and can be interpreted in the same manner as it is in the context of being entitled to write a [[Will (law)|will]]. Some jurisdictions have removed this requirement.
* Be capable of furnishing character references, as well as one or two references from current Masons, depending on jurisdiction.

Some Grand Lodges in the United States have an additional residence requirement, candidates being expected to have lived within the jurisdiction for a certain period of time, typically six months.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ilmason.org/requirements.html | title = Become a Mason: Requirements | accessdate = 2007-05-08 | publisher = Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons }}</ref>

=== Membership and religion ===

Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it is neither a religion nor a substitute for one. "There is no separate Masonic God", nor a separate proper name for a deity in any branch of Freemasonry.<ref name="a religion?">{{cite web | url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/masonry/A2L-religion.htm | title = Is Freemasonry a religion? | year = 2002 | accessdate=2007-05-08 | publisher = United Grand Lodge of England }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Smart | first = Earnest | year = 2005 | month = April | title = Faith and Freemasonry | journal = Masonic Quarterly Magazine | issue = 13 | url = http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-13/p-46.php | accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref>

Regular Freemasonry requires that its candidates believe in a ''Supreme Being'', but the interpretation of the term is subject to the conscience of the candidate. This means that Freemasonry accepts men from a wide range of faiths, including (but not limited to) [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], [[Sikhism]] etc. As a result, Freemasonry uses ''Volume of the Sacred Law'' (VSL) as a generic term for a religious book. As UGLE-based Freemasonry also requires that a VSL be present on the Altar, many Lodges have multiple VSLs available, and a candidate can be obligated on his book of choice.

Since the early 19th century, in the ''irregular'' Continental European tradition (meaning ''irregular'' to those Grand Lodges in amity with the United Grand Lodge of England), a very broad interpretation has been given to a non-dogmatic Supreme Being; in the tradition of [[Baruch Spinoza]] and [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]]&nbsp;– or views of [[The Ultimate]] Cosmic Oneness&nbsp;– along with Western [[atheistic]] [[idealism]] and [[agnosticism]].

The form of Freemasonry most common in [[Scandinavia]], known as the [[Swedish Rite]], on the other hand, accepts only Christians.

== Freemasonry and women ==
{{Main|Freemasonry and women|Co-Freemasonry}}

Since the adoption of Anderson's constitution in 1723, it has been accepted as fact by regular Masons that only men can be made Masons. Most Grand Lodges do not admit women because they believe it would violate the ancient Landmarks. While a few women, such as [[Elizabeth Aldworth]], were initiated into British speculative lodges prior to 1723,<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/aqc/aldworth.html The Hon. Miss St. Leger and Freemasonry], by Edward Conder, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum vol viii (1895) pp. 16-23, 53-6. vol. xviii (1905) p. 46, and reprinted on the website of the Grand Lodge of BC&Y.</ref> officially regular Freemasonry remains exclusive to men.

While women cannot join regular lodges, there are (mainly within the borders of the United States) many female orders associated with regular Freemasonry and its appendant bodies, such as the [[Order of the Eastern Star]], the [[Order of the Amaranth]], the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Social Order of Beauceant and the [[Daughters of the Nile]]. These have their own rituals and traditions, but are founded on the Masonic model. In the French context, women in the 18th and 19th centuries had been admitted into what were known as "adoption lodges" in which they could participate in ritual life. However, men clearly saw this type of adoption Freemasonry as distinct from their exclusively male variety. From the late 19th century onward, mixed gender lodges have met in France.

In addition, there are many non-mainstream Masonic bodies that do admit both men and women or are exclusively for women. [[Co-Freemasonry]] admits both men and women,<ref>[http://www.co-masonry.org/Site/English/ co-masonry.org] Official site.</ref> but it is held to be irregular because it admits women. The systematic admission of women into International Co-Freemasonry began in France in 1882. In more recent times, women have created and maintained separate Lodges, working the same rituals as the all male regular lodges. These Female Masons have founded lodges around the world, and these Lodges continue to gain membership.

== Opposition to and criticism of Freemasonry ==
{{Main|Anti-Masonry}}
{{See also|Masonic conspiracy theories}}
''Anti-Masonry'' (alternatively called ''Anti-Freemasonry'') has been defined as "opposition to Freemasonry".<ref>''Anti-Masonry'' - Oxford English Dictionary (Compact Edition), Oxford University Press, 1979, p.369</ref><ref>[http://www.webster-dictionary.net/d.aspx?w=Antimasonry Webster's dictionary]</ref> However, there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement. Anti-Masonry consists of widely differing criticisms from diverse (and often incompatible) groups who are hostile to Freemasonry in some form. Critics have included religious groups, political groups, and [[conspiracy theorists]].

There have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the 18th century. These often lack context,<ref>{{cite book
| first = S. Brent
| last = Morris
| title = The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry
| location = New York
| publisher = Alpha Books
| year = 2006
| pages = 85 (also discussed in chapters 13 and 16)
| isbn = 9781592574902
| oclc = 68042376 }}</ref> may be outdated for various reasons,<ref name="changes">{{cite book
| first = John J.
| last = Robinson
| title = A Pilgrim's Path
| publisher = M. Evans
| location = New York
| year = 1993
| pages = 129
| isbn = 9780871317322
| oclc = 27381296 }}</ref> or could be outright [[hoax]]es on the part of the author, as in the case of the [[Taxil hoax]].<ref>{{cite web
| first = Arturo
| last = de Hoyos
| date = 2002-08-18
| coauthors = S. Brent Morris
| url = http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/taxilhoax.html
| title = Leo Taxil Hoax&nbsp;— Bibliography
| publisher = Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon
| accessdate = 2007-07-07 }} Lists many books which perpetuate Masonic ritual hoaxes.</ref>

These hoaxes and exposés have often become the basis for criticism of Masonry, often religious or political in nature (usually by totalitarian dictatorial regimes,<ref name="Communist">[http://www.trosch.org/bks/freemasonry.html" The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967)] Soviet Russia outlawed Masonry in 1922. Freemasonry does not exist today in the Soviet Union, China, or other Communist states. Postwar revivals of Freemasonry in Czechoslovakia and Hungary were suppressed in 1950.</ref> but also arising in the historical [[Anti-Masonic Party]] in the United States), or are based on suspicion of corrupt conspiracy of some form. The political opposition that arose after the "[[William Morgan (anti-Mason)#The Morgan affair|Morgan Affair]]" in 1826 gave rise to the term "[[Anti-Masonry]]", which is still in use today, both by Masons in referring to their critics and as a self-descriptor by the critics themselves.<ref>[http://dictionary.infoplease.com/anti-mason infoplease.com] definition of "anti-mason".</ref>

=== Religious opposition ===
Freemasonry has attracted criticism from [[theocracy|theocratic]] states and organised religions for supposed competition with religion, or supposed [[heterodoxy]] within the Fraternity itself, and has long been the target of [[Masonic conspiracy theories|conspiracy]] theories, which see it as an [[occult]] and evil power.

==== Christianity and Freemasonry ====
{{Main|Christianity and Freemasonry|Catholicism and Freemasonry}}

Although members of various faiths cite objections, certain [[Christian]] [[religious denomination|denominations]] have had high profile negative attitudes to Masonry, banning or discouraging their members from being Freemasons.

The denomination with the longest history of objection to Freemasonry is the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. The objections raised by the Roman Catholic Church are based on the allegation that Masonry teaches a naturalistic [[deistic]] religion which is in conflict with Church [[doctrine]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=5285 | title = Letter of 19 April 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry | last = Cardinal Law | first = Bernard | authorlink = Bernard Francis Law | accessdate = 2007-07-09 | date = 1985-04-19 | work = CatholicCulture.org }}</ref> A number of Papal pronouncements have been issued against Freemasonry. The first was [[Pope Clement XII|Pope Clement XII's]] ''[[In Eminenti]]'', 28 April 1738; the most recent was [[Pope Leo XIII|Pope Leo XIII's]] ''[[Ab Apostolici]]'', 15 October 1890. The 1917 [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|Code of Canon Law]] explicitly declared that joining Freemasonry entailed automatic [[excommunication]].<ref name="canon2335">Canon 2335, 1917 Code of Canon Law from {{cite web | url = http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/canon.html | title = Canon Law regarding Freemasonry, 1917-1983 | publisher = Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon }}</ref> The 1917 Code of Canon Law also forbade books friendly to Freemasonry.

In 1983, the Church issued a new Code of [[Canon Law]]. Unlike its predecessor, it did not explicitly name Masonic orders among the [[secret societies]] it condemns. It states in part: "A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an [[Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)|interdict]]." This omission caused both Catholics and Freemasons to believe that the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons may have been lifted, especially after the perceived liberalisation of [[Second Vatican Council|Vatican II]].<ref name="RCLaw">{{cite journal | last = McInvale | first = Reid | year = 1991 | title = Roman Catholic Church Law Regarding Freemasonry | journal = Transactions of Texas Lodge of Research | volume = 27 | pages = 86–97 | url = http://www.io.com/~janebm/churchlaw.html | issn = | id = {{oclc|47204246}} }}</ref> However, the matter was clarified when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later [[Pope Benedict XVI]]), as the Prefect of the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]], issued ''[[Quaesitum est]]'', which states: "...&nbsp;the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive [[Holy Communion]]." Thus, from a Catholic perspective, there is still a ban on Catholics joining Masonic Lodges. For its part, Freemasonry has never objected to Catholics joining their fraternity. Those Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE deny the Church's claims and state that they explicitly adhere to the principle that "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion."<ref name="a religion?"/>

In contrast to Catholic allegations of rationalism and naturalism, Protestant objections are more likely to be based on allegations of [[mysticism]], [[occultism]], and even [[Satanism]].<ref name=Satanism >{{cite web |url=http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0093/0093_01.asp |title=The Curse of Baphomet |accessdate=2007-09-29 |author=Jack Chick }}</ref> Masonic scholar [[Albert Pike]] is often quoted (in some cases misquoted) by Protestant anti-Masons as an authority for the position of Masonry on these issues. However, Pike, although undoubtedly learned, was not a spokesman for Freemasonry and was controversial among Freemasons in general, representing his personal opinion only, and furthermore an opinion grounded in the attitudes and understandings of late 19th century Southern Freemasonry of the USA alone. Indeed his book carries in the preface a form of disclaimer from his own Grand Lodge. No one voice has ever spoken for the whole of Freemasonry.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pike | first = Albert | authorlink = Albert Pike | coauthors = T. W. Hugo; Scottish Rite (Masonic order). Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction | title = Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry | location = Washington, DC | publisher = House of the Temple | year = 1950 | origyear = 1871 | oclc = 12870276 | quote = In preparing this work [Pike] has been about equally Author and Compiler. (p. iii.) ... The teachings of these Readings are not sacramental, so far as they go beyond the realm of Morality into those of other domains of Thought and Truth. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite uses the word "Dogma" in its true sense of doctrine, or teaching; and is not dogmatic in the odious sense of that term. Everyone is entirely free to reject and dissent from whatsoever herein may seem to him to be untrue or unsound (p. iv) }}</ref>

[[Free Methodist Church]] founder [[B.T. Roberts]] was a vocal opponent of Freemasonry in the mid 18th century. Roberts opposed the society on moral grounds and stated, "The god of the lodge is not the God of the Bible." Roberts believed Freemasonry was a "[[Greco-Roman mysteries|mystery]]" or "alternate" religion and encouraged his church not to support ministers who were Freemasons. Freedom from secret societies is one of the "frees" the [[Free Methodist Church]] was founded upon.<ref>{{cite book | last = Snyder | first = Howard | title = Populist Saints | location = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]| publisher = William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company | year = 2006 | unused_data = (p.727) }}</ref>

Since the founding of Freemasonry, many Bishops of the [[Church of England]] have been Freemasons, such as [[Archbishop]] [[Geoffrey Fisher]].<ref>{{cite journal | last = Beresiner | first = Yasha | year = 2006 | month = July | title = Archbishop Fisher&nbsp;– A Godly man and a Brother | journal = Masonic Quarterly Magazine | issue = 18 | url = http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-18/p-07.php?PHPSESSID=c59cd231db419873a6a6 | accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref> In the past, few members of the Church of England would have seen any incongruity in concurrently adhering to Anglican Christianity and practicing Freemasonry. In recent decades, however, reservations about Freemasonry have increased within Anglicanism, perhaps due to the increasing prominence of the evangelical wing of the church. The current [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[Rowan Williams|Dr Rowan Williams]], appears to harbour some reservations about Masonic ritual, whilst being anxious to avoid causing offence to Freemasons inside and outside the Church of England. In 2003 he felt it necessary to apologise to British Freemasons after he said that their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity and that he had barred the appointment of Freemasons to senior posts in his diocese when he was Bishop of Monmouth.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/04/20/nmason20.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/04/20/ixhome.html | title = Rowan Williams apologises to Freemasons | first = Chris | last = Hastings | coauthors = Elizabeth Day | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = 2003-04-20 | accessdate = 2007-07-09 }}</ref>

Regular Freemasonry has traditionally not responded to these claims, beyond the often repeated statement that those Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE explicitly adhere to the principle that "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. There is no separate 'Masonic deity', and there is no separate proper name for a deity in Freemasonry".<ref name="a religion?"/> In recent years, however, this has begun to change. Many Masonic websites and publications address these criticisms specifically.

==== Islam and Freemasonry ====
Many [[Islamic]] anti-Masonic arguments are closely tied to both [[Anti-Semitism]] and [[Anti-Zionism]], though other criticisms are made such as linking Freemasonry to [[Dajjal]].<ref name="SFMNAD">{{cite book | url = http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/prescott03.html| title = The Study of Freemasonry as a New Academic Discipline | pages = 13–14 | first = Andrew | last = Prescott | accessdate = 2008-12-18 }}</ref> Some Muslim anti-Masons argue that Freemasonry promotes the interests of the [[Jews]] around the world and that one of its aims is to rebuild the [[Temple of Solomon]] in [[Jerusalem]] after destroying the [[Al-Aqsa Mosque]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503547288&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar |title=Can a Muslim be a freemason? |accessdate=2007-05-08 |format=asp |work=Islamonline.com }}</ref> In article 28 of its Covenant, [[Hamas]] states that Freemasonry, [[Rotary International|Rotary]], and other similar groups "work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions ..."<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp Hamas Covenant 1988]</ref>
Many countries with a significant Muslim population do not allow Masonic establishments within their jurisdictions. However, countries such as [[Turkey]] and [[Morocco]] have established Grand Lodges,<ref>Leyiktez, Celil. [http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html "Freemasonry in the Islamic World"]. Accessed 2 October 2007.</ref> while in countries such as [[Malaysia]]<ref>[http://www.dglme.org/contacts/contacts.aspx DGLME.org - The District Grand Lodge of the Middle East<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Lebanon]]<ref>[http://www.nymasons.org/cms/districtsonline Districts Online | Grand Lodge F. & A. M. State of New York<!-- Bot generated title -->].</ref> there are District Grand Lodges operating under a warrant from an established Grand Lodge.

Masonic lodges existed in [[Iraq]] as early as 1919, when the first lodge under the UGLE was opened in Basra, {{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} and later on when the country was under [[British Mandate of Mesopotamia|British Mandate]] just after the First World War. However the position changed in July 1958 following the Revolution, with the abolition of the Monarchy and Iraq being declared a republic, under [[General Qasim]]. The licences permitting lodges to meet were rescinded and later laws were introduced banning any further meetings. This position was later reinforced under [[Saddam Hussein]], the death penalty was "prescribed" for those who "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organisations."<ref>{{cite news
|title= Saddam to be formally charged
|publisher= Washington Times
|date = 1 July 2004
}}</ref> With the fall of the Hussein government in 2003, a number of Lodges have begun to meet on military bases within Iraq. These lodges primarily cater to British and American military units, but a few have initiated Iraqis. Several Grand Lodges have expressed a desire to charter Lodges with completely Iraqi membership in the near future.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}

=== Political opposition ===
{{See also|Anti-Masonry|Suppression of Freemasonry}}
Regular Freemasonry has in its core ritual a formal obligation: to be quiet and peaceable citizens, true to the lawful government of the country in which they live, and not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion.<ref name="UGLE home"/> A Freemason makes a further obligation, before being made Master of his Lodge, to pay a proper respect to the civil [[magistrate]]s.<ref name="UGLE home"/> The words may be varied across Grand Lodges, but the sense in the obligation taken is always there. Nevertheless, much of the political opposition to Freemasonry is based upon the idea that Masonry will foment (or sometimes prevent) rebellion.

In 1799 English Freemasonry almost came to a halt due to Parliamentary proclamation. In the wake of the [[French Revolution]], the ''Unlawful Societies Act, 1799'' banned any meetings of groups that required their members to take an [[oath]] or obligation.<ref name="UGLE history" >{{cite web | url = http://www.grandlodge-england.org/ugle/the-history-of-grand-lodge-1.htm | title = The United Grand Lodge of England&nbsp;— Two Grand Lodges | publisher = United Grand Lodge of England | year = 2002 | accessdate = 2006-03-08 }}</ref> The Grand Masters of both the Moderns and the Antients Grand Lodges called on the Prime Minister William Pitt (who was not a Freemason) and explained to him that Freemasonry was a supporter of the law and lawfully constituted authority and was much involved in charitable work. As a result Freemasonry was specifically exempted from the terms of the Act, provided that each Private Lodge's Secretary placed with the local "Clerk of the Peace" a list of the members of his Lodge once a year.<ref name="UGLE history" /> This continued until 1967 when the obligation of the provision was rescinded by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]].<ref name="UGLE history" />

Freemasonry in the United States faced political pressure following the disappearance of [[William Morgan (anti-Mason)|William Morgan]] in 1826. Reports of the "Morgan Affair", together with opposition to [[Jacksonian democracy]] (Andrew Jackson was a prominent Mason) helped fuel an Anti-Masonic movement, culminating in the formation of a short lived [[Anti-Masonic Party]] which fielded candidates for the Presidential elections of 1828 and 1832.

In Italy, Freemasonry has become linked to a scandal concerning the [[Propaganda Due]] Lodge (aka P2). This Lodge was Chartered by the [[Grande Oriente d'Italia]] in 1877, as a Lodge for visiting Masons unable to attend their own lodges. Under [[Licio Gelli]]’s leadership, in the late 1970s, the P2 Lodge became involved in the financial scandals that nearly bankrupted the [[Vatican Bank]]. However, by this time the lodge was operating independently and irregularly; as the Grand Orient had revoked its charter in 1976.<ref>{{cite web | first = Edward L. | last = King | url = http://www.masonicinfo.com/p2_lodge.htm | title = P2 Lodge | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2006-10-31 }}</ref> By 1982 the scandal became public knowledge and Gelli was formally expelled from Freemasonry.

[[Conspiracy theorists]] have long associated Freemasonry with the [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]] and the [[Illuminati]], and state that Freemasonry as an organisation is either bent on world domination or already secretly in control of world politics. Historically, Freemasonry has attracted criticism&nbsp;– and suppression&nbsp;– from both the politically [[Far right|extreme right]] (e.g. [[Nazi Germany]])<ref>{{cite book | first = James | last = Wilkenson | coauthors = H. Stuart Hughes | title = Contemporary Europe: A History | location = Englewood Cliffs, N.J. | publisher = Prentice Hall | year = 1995 | pages = 237 | isbn = 9780132918404 | oclc = 31009810 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first = Otto | last = Zierer | title = Concise History of Great Nations: History of Germany | location = New York | publisher = Leon Amiel Publisher | year = 1976 | pages = 104 | isbn = 9780814806739 | oclc = 3250405 }}</ref> and the [[Far left|extreme left]] (e.g. the former [[Communist]] states in [[Eastern Europe]]).<ref name="Communist" /> The Fraternity has encountered both applause for supposedly founding, and opposition for supposedly thwarting, [[liberal democracy]] (such as the United States of America).

Even in modern democracies, Freemasonry is sometimes viewed with distrust.<ref name=Hodapp86>Hodapp, Christopher. ''Freemasons for Dummies''. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. p. 86.</ref> In the [[UK]], Masons working in the justice system, such as judges and police officers, were from 1999 to 2009 required to disclose their membership.<ref name=GuardianMP>Bright, Martin (2005-06-12). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/jun/12/uk.freedomofinformation1 MPs told to declare links to Masons], ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> While a parliamentary inquiry found that there has been no evidence of wrongdoing, it was felt that any potential loyalties Masons might have, based on their vows to support fellow Masons, should be transparent to the public.<ref name=Hodapp86 /><ref name=GuardianMP /><ref>Cusick, James (1996-12-27). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/police-want-judges-and-mps-to-reveal-masonic-links-too-1316095.html Police want judges and MPs to reveal Masonic links too], ''[[The Independent]]''</ref> The policy of requiring a declaration of masonic membership of applicants for judicial office (judges and magistrates) was ended in 2009 by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, (who had initiated the requirement in the 1990s). Straw stated that the rule was considered disproportionate, since no impropriety or malpractice had been shown as a result of judges being Freemasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/nov/05/jack-straw-judges-masons |title=Jack Straw scraps rule saying judges must declare if they are masons |publisher=guardian.co.uk |date=5 November 2009 |author=Sparrow, Andrew |accessdate=7 November 2009}}</ref> The rescinding of the rule did not change the disclosure requirements for Police officers.

Freemasonry is both successful and controversial in [[France]]; membership is rising, but reporting in the popular media is often negative.<ref name=Hodapp86 />

In some countries anti-Masonry is often related to [[anti-Semitism]] and [[anti-Zionism]]. For example, In 1980, the Iraqi legal and penal code was changed by [[Saddam Hussein|Saddam Hussein's]] ruling [[Ba'ath Party]], making it a felony to "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including Freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organisations."<ref name="freemasonryinSHIraq">{{cite news | url = http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040701-120129-6565r.htm | title = Saddam to be formally charged | first = David R | last = Sands | work = [[The Washington Times]] | date = 2004-07-01 | accessdate = 2006-06-18 }}</ref> Professor [http://www.shef.ac.uk/history/staff/research_fellows/andrew_prescott.html Andrew Prescott], of the University of Sheffield, writes: "Since at least the time of the [[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion|Protocols of the Elders of Zion]], anti-semitism has gone hand in hand with anti-masonry, so it is not surprising that allegations that [[11 September 2001 attacks|11 September]] was a Zionist plot have been accompanied by suggestions that the attacks were inspired by a masonic world order."<ref>Prescott, pp. 13-14, 30, 33.</ref>

==== The Holocaust ====
{{Main|The Holocaust}}
{{See also|Freemasonry under authoritarian regimes|Liberté chérie (Freemasonry)}}

The preserved records of the ''[[RSHA|Reichssicherheitshauptamt]]'' (the Reich Security Main Office) show the persecution of Freemasons.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/persecution.htm | title = World War II Documents showing the persecution of Freemasonry | publisher = Mill Valley Lodge #356 | accessdate = 2006-05-21 }}</ref> RSHA Amt VII (Written Records) was overseen by Professor [[Franz Six]] and was responsible for "ideological" tasks, by which was meant the creation of anti-Semitic and anti-Masonic propaganda. While the number is not accurately known, it is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed under the [[Nacht und Nebel|Nazi regime]]. Masonic concentration camp inmates were graded as political prisoners and wore an inverted [[Nazi concentration camp badges|red triangle]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust | page = vol. 2, p. 531 | last = Katz | editor = Israel Gutman | article = Jews and Freemasons in Europe | id = ISBN 9780028971667 {{oclc|20594356}} }}</ref>

[[Image:Forgetmenotflower.JPG|thumb|right|120px|[[Forget-me-not]]]]
The small blue [[forget-me-not]] flower was first used by the Grand Lodge ''Zur Sonne'', in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]], Germany. In 1938 the forget-me-not badge&nbsp;– made by the same factory as the Masonic badge&nbsp;– was chosen for the annual Nazi Party ''[[Winterhilfswerk]]'', a Nazi charitable organis<!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". -->ation which collected money so that other state funds could be freed up and used for rearmament. This coincidence enabled Freemasons to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.internetloge.de/arst/forgetd.htm | title = Das Vergißmeinnicht-Abzeichen und die Freimaurerei, Die wahre Geschichte | language = German | publisher = Internetloge.de | accessdate = 2006-07-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html | first = Alain | last = Bernheim | title = The Blue Forget-Me-Not": Another Side Of The Story | work = Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry | publisher = | date = 2004-09-10 | accessdate = 2006-07-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Die Freimaurer-Logen Deutschlands und deren Grosslogen 1737-1972 | first = Karl Heinz | last = Francke | coauthors = Ernst-Günther Geppert | location = Bayreuth | publisher = Quatuor Coronati | year = 1974 | language = German | isbn = | oclc = | edition = Second rev.}}Also in: {{cite book | title = Die Freimaurer-Logen Deutschlands und deren Grosslogen 1737 - 1985 : Matrikel und Stammbuch; Nachschlagewerk über 248 Jahre Geschichte der Freimaurerei in Deutschland | first = Karl Heinz | last = Francke | coauthors = Ernst-Günther Geppert | location = Bayreuth | publisher = Quatuor Coronati | year = 1988 | language = German | isbn = 9783925749056 | oclc = 75446479 }}</ref>

After [[World War II]], the forget-me-not<ref name=Galen_forget-me-not>{{cite web | url = http://www.galenlodge.co.uk/forgetmenot.htm | title = Das Vergissmeinnicht The Forget-Me-Not: The True Story Behind This Beloved Emblem of the Craft in Germany | publisher = Galen Lodge, No. 2394 | date = 2001-02-08 | accessdate = 2006-02-06 }}</ref> flower was again used as a Masonic emblem at the first Annual Convention of the United Grand Lodges of Germany in 1948. The badge is now worn in the coat lapel by Freemasons around the world to remember all those that have suffered in the name of Freemasonry, especially those during the Nazi era.<ref name=Galen_forget-me-not /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mastermason.com/monlou522/forget~me~not.html | title = About the... Forget-Me-Not | publisher = Monitor Lousbury Lodge, No. 522 | accessdate=2006-03-04 }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of Freemasons]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks}}
* [http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/FRA_GAE/FREEMASONRY.html Freemasonry] article from the 1911 (11th Ed.) [[Encyclopedia Britannica]].
* [http://www.brad.ac.uk/webofhiram/ Web of Hiram] at the University of Bradford. A database of donated Masonic material.
* [http://www.geocities.com/stlaasr/masonic-books-online.html Masonic Books Online] of the St. Louis Scottish Rite.
* [http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_books_online.html Masonic Books Online] of the ''Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry''
*[http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libraryscience/25/ ''The Constitutions of the Free-Masons''] (1734), James Anderson, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Royster. Hosted by the Libraries at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
*[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18136/18136-h/18136-h.htm ''The Mysteries of Free Masonry''], by William Morgan, from [[Project Gutenberg]]
*{{Internet Archive|alegislativeinv00hallgoog|A Legislative Investigation Into Masonry (1832)}}, {{oclc|1560509}}
*[http://www.ugle.org.uk/library-and-museum/ The United Grand Lodge of England's Library and Museum of Freemasonry], London
*[http://freemasonry.dept.shef.ac.uk/ The Centre for Research into Freemasonry] at the [[University of Sheffield]], UK
*[http://MasonryPage.org/ A Page About Freemasonry] the world's oldest Masonic website.
*[http://www.oztorah.com/category/freemasonry/ Articles on Judaism and Freemasonry]
*[http://masonicinfo.com/ Anti-Masonry: Points of View]

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