Frequently Asked Questions

Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization. It is a brotherhood of men who share a moral and philosophical system taught through symbolic rituals, encouraging personal growth, charity, and community service. Freemasonry is not a religion, a political organization, or a secret society — it is a society with traditions of privacy.

No. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. While Masons are required to believe in a Supreme Being, the fraternity does not define that belief, offer sacraments, promise salvation, or provide a theology. Masons of all faiths — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and others — sit together in lodge as equals. Prayers in lodge are non-denominational and addressed to "The Great Architect of the Universe."

No. Freemasonry is a society with secrets, but it is not itself a secret. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, members are free to identify themselves as Masons, and the existence and general purpose of the organization are publicly known. What is private are the modes of recognition (handshakes, passwords) and the specific details of degree ceremonies — mainly to preserve the impact for candidates.

Modern organized Freemasonry dates to 1717, when four London lodges united to form the first Grand Lodge. However, its roots stretch back centuries earlier to the medieval stonemasons' guilds that built Europe's great cathedrals. The oldest Masonic document, the Regius Poem, dates to approximately 1390. This makes Freemasonry over 600 years old in some form and over 300 years old as an organized fraternity.

There are an estimated 6 million Freemasons worldwide. In the United States alone, there are approximately 1.1 million members across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. At its peak in the late 1950s, US membership exceeded 4 million.

The traditional way is to find a local lodge, attend open events, get to know the members, and ask to join ("2B1ASK1"). You'll need to meet basic requirements: be a man of at least 18 (or 21 in some states), believe in a Supreme Being, be of good character, and have references from current Masons. Visit our How to Join page for a complete step-by-step guide.

Traditional ("regular") Freemasonry is a male-only fraternity. However, there are several related organizations for women: the Order of the Eastern Star (open to female relatives of Master Masons), the International Order of Freemasonry Le Droit Humain (co-ed Masonry), and women-only Grand Lodges in several countries. These organizations practice similar rituals and values.

Costs vary by lodge. Typically, expect a one-time petition fee of $100–$300, plus annual dues of $50–$500. Some lodges include degree fees in the petition fee; others charge separately. Additionally, there are optional costs for regalia (apron, etc.) and social events. No man is ever turned away for inability to pay dues.

While having a personal recommendation from a current Mason is traditional, it is not always required. Many Grand Lodges and local lodges welcome direct inquiries. Contact your state's Grand Lodge or a local lodge, and they will be happy to help you start the process.

You must be at least 18 years old in most US states (21 in some, including Ohio and Pennsylvania). There is no upper age limit. For young men who aren't yet old enough, DeMolay International (ages 12–21) is a Masonic youth organization that teaches leadership and character development.

It depends on the nature and severity of the offense. A felony conviction will generally disqualify a candidate, though some Grand Lodges may consider candidates with older or minor offenses on a case-by-case basis. Honesty is essential — the investigation committee will verify your background.

Masonic rituals are ceremonial dramas that teach moral lessons through allegory and symbolism. They involve symbolic journeys, oral instruction, and solemn obligations (promises). There is nothing dangerous, undignified, or hazing-like in Masonic rituals. They are more comparable to a morality play in which the candidate is both the audience and the participant.

Masonic handshakes (called "grips" or "tokens") are specific ways of shaking hands that identify a Mason as belonging to a particular degree. They are one of the "modes of recognition" that Masons promise to keep private. While they are often exaggerated in popular culture, they are simply a traditional form of identification among members.

Freemasonry uses a progressive system of "degrees" — ceremonial stages through which a member advances. The three core degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason) are conferred in the "Blue Lodge." Additional degrees are available through appendant bodies like the Scottish Rite (4°–33°) and York Rite. Higher degrees are not "higher" in authority — the Master Mason degree is the highest in Freemasonry.

The white lambskin apron is the most ancient and honored badge of a Mason. Given to every Mason at initiation, it symbolizes purity and innocence. It is considered "more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle." Masons are often buried wearing their aprons, and some historic aprons (like George Washington's) are treasured artifacts.

Absolutely not. This is one of the most persistent and unfounded myths about Freemasonry. Freemasonry requires belief in God (or a Supreme Being) and does not define which God. It does not offer any form of worship, and Satanism is completely incompatible with Masonic principles. This myth originated from anti-Masonic propaganda in the 19th century.

No. This is a conspiracy theory with no basis in fact. While individual Masons have held positions of power (14 US Presidents were Masons), Freemasonry as an organization does not engage in politics, does not seek political power, and explicitly forbids political discussion in lodge. The "New World Order" conspiracy theory has been thoroughly debunked by historians.

No. The Bavarian Illuminati was a separate organization founded in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt. It was suppressed by the Bavarian government in 1787 and has been defunct for over 230 years. While the Illuminati briefly infiltrated some Masonic lodges in the 1780s, the two organizations had different goals, structures, and membership.

No. Freemasonry lacks every characteristic of a cult: members are free to leave at any time, are encouraged to maintain outside relationships, are not required to give excessive money, are not isolated from society, and have no charismatic leader demanding obedience. Freemasonry encourages members to be better citizens, fathers, and community members.

No. Masons are free to tell their families that they are members, where and when they meet, and what the general nature of the fraternity is. The only things they promise to keep private are the specific modes of recognition (handshakes, passwords) and the detailed content of degree ceremonies.

Not exactly. The symbols on the US dollar bill come from the Great Seal of the United States, designed by committees between 1776 and 1782. While Benjamin Franklin (a Mason) served on the first committee, his proposals were rejected. The final design was primarily created by non-Masons. The symbols share common roots with Masonic imagery because both drew from Enlightenment-era traditions.

Absolutely not. There is nothing violent, dangerous, or involving blood or animals in any Masonic ceremony. This myth comes from misinterpretation of the symbolic "penalty clauses" in Masonic obligations, which are purely metaphorical and have been softened or removed in many jurisdictions.

King Solomon's Temple is central to Masonic symbolism and ritual. According to Masonic legend, the temple was built with the help of a master architect named Hiram Abiff, whose story forms the basis of the Master Mason degree. The temple represents the ideal of moral and spiritual perfection that every Mason strives to build within himself.

Prince Hall Freemasonry is a tradition of Freemasonry established by and for African American men, dating back to 1784 when Prince Hall and 14 others received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Today, Prince Hall Grand Lodges operate in all 50 states and are recognized by most mainstream Grand Lodges. Prince Hall Masons practice the same rituals and share the same values as other recognized Masonic bodies.

The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1, in Edinburgh, Scotland, holds the oldest continuous lodge records, dating back to 1599. The oldest lodge in England is the Lodge of Antiquity No. 2, which traces its origins to a lodge meeting at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in 1717.

No, not all of them. While at least 9 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were confirmed Masons (including Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock), the majority were not. Similarly, while George Washington was a Mason, key founders like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison were not.

This term allows Masons of different religions to pray together without favoring any one faith. Since Freemasonry's origins lie in stonemasonry and architecture, the metaphor of God as the architect who designed the universe is particularly fitting. Each Mason is free to interpret the phrase according to his own religious beliefs.

American Freemasons contribute an estimated $2 million per day — over $700 million per year — to charitable causes. Globally, the figure is even higher. Shriners Hospitals for Children alone cost approximately $900 million per year to operate, all funded by Masonic philanthropy.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 medical facilities across North America providing free healthcare to children, specializing in orthopedic care, burn treatment, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate repair. Since 1922, they have treated over 1.4 million children, regardless of their families' ability to pay.

DeMolay International is a Masonic youth organization for young men aged 12 to 21, founded in 1919 in Kansas City. Named after Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, it teaches leadership, civic awareness, and personal responsibility. Famous DeMolay members include Walt Disney, John Wayne, and several US astronauts.