The Degrees of the Scottish Rite
- Duty, reflection and study are the gateway to opportunity.
- As such, one honors those relationships to God, family, country and Masonry.
- The apron of the 4th Degree is white and black, with a letter “Z” and all-seeing eye.
- The jewel of this degree is an ivory key with the letter “Z” on the wards. The duties are secrecy, obedience and fidelity.
- The degree teaches Masonic honor; that honesty and trustworthiness is the cornerstone of the foundation of such.
- This virtue should be in all of our undertakings with mankind. The apron of the 5th Degree is white and green, with a cubic stone and a Hebrew YOD.
- The jewel is represented by a compass open on a segment of a circle, to an angle of sixty degrees. The duties are honesty, sincerity, good faith and industry.
- In this degree one should expand their knowledge of duty, charity and toleration.
- We are instructed to reshape ourselves and our thinking into charity, self-control and success, i.e. to be a peacemaker.
- The apron of the 6th Degree is white and red, with Hebrew letters YOD HEH in the center and a small triangle containing the Hebrew letters (clockwise from top) BETH, NUN and SHIN.
- The gold triangle with the same three letters inscribed is the jewel that represents this degree. The duties are zeal, faithfulness, benevolence and to act the peacemaker.
- We learn that impartial justice protects person, property, happiness and reputation.
- We are instructed to judge with patience and impartially.
- The apron of the 7th Degree is white edged with red, with a key and five rosettes. The jewel is a golden key. The duty is justice.
- We should strive for perfection by using the great principles of God’s inherent love, charity, morality and kindness.
- The apron of the 8th Degree is white with red and green, with a balance, a nine-pointed star, and a triangle with the Hebrew letters BETH for Ben-Khurim; YOU for Jakinah; and ALEPH for Achar.
- The jewel of this Degree is a gold triangle with the same three letters. The duties are benevolence and charity.
- Truth, candor and generosity. The foundation of Scottish Rite Masonry is most reflected in this degree.
- We should use these truths to shape our lives and conduct. The apron of the 9th Degree is white, lined with black and sprinkled with blood, with an arm holding a dagger and a severed head held by the hair.
- The jewel of this degree is a dagger, hilt of gold and blade of silver. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.
- This degree teaches us to be tolerant and respect the opinions of others.
- Freedoms of political and spiritual ideologies should be shared by all. The apron of the 10th Degree is white, with a black flap with three arch-shaped gates, over each a head on a spike.
- The jewel of this degree is a dagger as in the 9th Degree. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.
- This degree teaches sympathy. We should be compassionate to our brother Masons and to all mankind as well.
- The apron of the 11th Degree is white, lined with black, with a flaming heart in the center.
- The jewel is a dagger suspended from a black cordon inscribed with the words “Vincere aut Mori” the pledge “that you will rather die than betray the cause of the people, or be overcome through your own fear or fault”.
- The duties are to be earnest, true, reliable and a champion of the people.
- This degree teaches faith in morality, virtue and God. “Life is what each man makes of it; the optimist turns a trial into a blessing”.
- The apron of the 12th Degree consists of a white outer shell lined with blue and gold, symbolizing the Craft Degrees, with a protractor, plain scale, sector and compasses.
- The jewel is a heptagonal medal of gold. The duty is to seek wisdom through knowledge.
- Liberty in our mind and hearts and motivated by duty and honor are the lessons of this degree.
- The apron of the 13th Degree is purple, bordered with white and with the “Enochian delta” (hexagram with inscribed Tetragrammation) in the center.
- The jewel comprises a circular medal of gold. The duties are to seek knowledge and to be motivated by duty and honour.
- This degree teaches us to reflect and scrutinize ourselves. We should strive to be true to ourselves and our God.
- The apron being of white silk, bordered in gold with the Ineffable Delta in the Center, is truly emblematical of the degree.
- The jewel of the 14th Degree is split; one being a quadrant (compass open to ninety degrees) topped by a crown and with a nine-pointed star on the obverse; the other being a five-pointed blazing star with the Tetragrammaton on the reverse. The compass is opened on a segment of a circle inscribed with the numbers 3, 5, 7, 9.
- The duties are to assist, encourage and defend the brethren; to protect the oppressed and relieve want and distress; to enlighten the people and serve the common good.
- Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement are the lessons of this degree.
- The striking crimson velvet apron of this degree is edged with green, having a bleeding head above two crossed swords and a triangle (top point to the left) with three interlaced triangles inside it.
- The jewel is three golden concentric triangles encompassing two crossed swords. The duty is to rebuild the Masonic Temple of liberty, equality and fraternity in the souls of men.
- We learn of heroism of patience, the nobility of self-sacrifice and compassionate judgment; along with charity, fidelity and brotherhood.
- The crimson apron is edged in gold and aurora-color, with a square, shield, Delta with three YODs, balance and a hand of justice.
- The jewel is a mother-of-pearl lozenge with a hand holding a balance in equipoise; under it a sword with five stars surrounding the point. On the left is a Hebrew D, on the right is a Hebrew Z.
- The duties are to aid those who labor to build the Symbolic Temple; to judge equitably and fairly; to keep faith in the justice and beneficence of God and to press forward with hope for the persecuted and oppressed.
- The wisdom of this degree is that loyalty to God is man’s primary allegiance and that temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall.
- The apron is of yellow satin with crimson and gold, with a sword and Tetractys of the Tetragrammaton on it. The jewel is a heptagon of half silver and half gold, with crossed swords on a balance on the obverse and a lamb on the Book of Seven Seals on the reverse.
- The jewel is hung from a double order – one black (left-to-right) and one white (right-to-left), representing good versus evil. A gold coronet is also presented.
- The duties are to work, reflect and pray; to hope, trust and believe; to teach the truths that are hidden in allegory and concealed by the symbols of Freemasonry.
- This degree emphasizes that life and its strength come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many cultures.
- One is also taught to be tolerant of other’s errors and faults. The apron is of white leather or satin, bordered in red, with a skull and cross-bones, a red passion cross and three red rosettes.
- The grand jewel is a gold compass open a quarter circle. A rose-cross is between the legs of the compass and under it is a pelican, tearing its breast to feed its seven young on the obverse and an eagle with wings extended on the reverse.
- On the circle are the letters I.N.R.I. The duties are to practice virtue; to labor to eliminate vice; to purify humanity; to be tolerant of the faith and creed of others.
- We learn from the past and how it affects the present and the influence we live in the future in this degree.
- We as mortals strive to endure, produce and improve the world as it surrounds us.
- There is no apron, but the jewel is a gold “parallelogram” (rectangle) with a Greek Alpha on one side and an Omega on the other. The duties are to be content to labor for the future; to serve the cause of truth with patience and industry; and to destroy error, falsehood and intolerance with truth, honesty, honour and charity.
- This degree demonstrates fraternity and equality. These truths teach morals, religious and philosophical understandings.
- This degree helps one to comprehend Deity, the forces of nature and good and evil. The apron is yellow, bordered in blue, with three concentric point-down triangles with the Tetragrammaton (horizontal) and “Fiat Lux” (vertical) at the center forming a cross.
- Its triangular shape relates to the “fourth great light, which reminds us of the Deity and his attributes”. The jewel is made of gold with the same three concentric triangles. The duties are to dispense light and knowledge and to practice Masonic virtues.
- The lessons to be learned from this degree are that arrogance, defamation and cowardice are unworthy attributes of a Mason; and that humility, modesty and courtesy are the true virtues of men and Masons.
- The apron is yellow and contains an arm holding a sword, a winged figure holding a key in the left hand and the right forefinger on the lips (the Egyptian figure of silence).
- The jewel can be described as a point-up triangle, with an arrow, point downward, an arm holding a sword and the motto “Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum”. The duties are humility, modesty, trust in God and to be steadfast and courageous in the face of adversity.
- This degree emphasizes work ethics. By doing good work we improve character and become better citizens.
- The apron of this degree is white, bordered in purple, and contains a three-headed serpent and a table with instruments and plans on it.
- The jewel is an axe and handle of gold. On the top of the handle are the initials of Noah and Solomon. In the middle of the handle are the initials of Libanus and Tsidun.
- On the blade are the initials of Adoniram, Cyrus, Darius, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and Ezra on one side and Shem, Kham, Yapheth, Moses, Ahaliab and Betselal on the other. The duties are to respect labor for its own sake and to do work.
- We learn in this degree that the man who forgets his duty to God, family, country and himself will be in danger of moral and spiritual destruction by thoughts and unworthy ambition.
- The apron worn is white bordered with red, blue and purple ribbons. These colors, from the curtains of the Tabernacle, represent earth, fire, air and sea respectively, as well as the Lord’s beneficence, glory, wisdom and power.
- On the apron is the golden seven-branched candlestick, representing the seven planets and virtues; the sun, faith, and aspiration toward the infinite; the moon, hope; Venus, charity; Mars, fortitude, “victory over rage and anger”; Mercury, prudence; Saturn, temperance; Jupiter, conqueror of the Titans and justice.
- The jewel worn is a small silver censer, or ornamented cup, held by a handle in the shape of an open hand. The duties are to be devoted to the service of God; to constantly endeavor to promote the welfare of man; to act with proper subordination to your superiors.
- A Mason must show evidence of compassion, piety and justice in this degree. After initiation he may “manifest faithfully the social virtues in order to receive the rewards”, to serve humanity through our brotherhood.
- The apron is of white lambskin with scarlet green and blue. On it is a violet myrtle tree and a gold representation of an Arabian tent.
- The jewel worn is the Hebrew letter ALEPH, suspended from a violet ribbon. The duties are to labor incessantly for the glory of God, the honor of your country and the happiness of your brethren.
- This degree attempts to explain the conceptualities of celestial purity and the eternal soul of man. The apprentice is driven to look within his faith, life and God to get a clear look at his inner self.
- The apron is white, lined in black with gold stars on the white side (Pleiades, Hyades, Orion, Capella) and with silver stars on the black side (Perseus, Scorpio, Bootes). Also on it is a serpent (ouroboros) surrounding a scarab, a triangle in a glory with the Tetragrammaton in its center and the four initials of the stars Regulus, Aldebaran, Antares and Fomalhaut.
- The jewel is a gold tau cross (crux ansata) with a serpent entwined around it and the Hebrew words HLThI (he has suffered or been wounded) and NChShThN (the Brazen Serpent) on it.
- The duty is to fulfill your destiny and to re-create yourself by reformation, repentance and enlarging your knowledge.
- In this degree we explore for “the rewards of the trinity of Gods attributes – wisdom or intelligence, force or strength, harmony or beauty”.
- The apron is scarlet, bordered in white, with a green triangle (point-down) in the center. In the triangle are the initials of force, wisdom and harmony, and a flaming heart of gold with the initials I.H.S. (Jesus Hominum Salvator or Imperium, Harmonia, Sapientia).
- The jewel is gold and is the same triangle, suspended by a purple ribbon. The duties are to practice forgiveness and mercy; tolerance; to be devoted to the teaching of the principles of Masonry.
- This degree teaches the apprentice to scorn selfishness and to uphold the knightly virtues of charity, truth and honor.
- We should always strive to assist the poor, helpless and infirm. The apron is of scarlet lambskin, lined in black, with a Teutonic Cross (cross potent sable, charged with a smaller cross double potent or surcharged with the escutcheon of the Empire, the two-headed black eagle) and a black key surrounded by a laurel wreath.
- The jewel is the Teutonic Cross shown on the apron. The duties are to be a lover of wisdom and to be faithful to your promises made within Masonry.
- We learn in this degree that our love for God manifests itself in our love for truth, justice and nobility of soul.
- The apron worn is white lambskin with a vermilion pentagram. The jewel is a gold five-pointed star. The duties are to be devoted to truth, honour, loyalty, justice and humanity.
- The virtues taught in this degree are love of God, loyalty to superiors, faithful adherence to promise and active resistance to unfair judgment. There is no apron.
- The jewel is a gold St. Andrew’s cross (“X”), surmounted with a knight’s helmet with a thistle of gold between the arms at the bottom. In the center of the cross is a Hebrew YOD and on its points, clockwise from bottom, the Hebrew letters N M I N.
- The duties are to reverence and obey God; to serve the truth; to protect virtue and innocence; to defend the people against tyranny.
- The lesson of this degree is to be true to ourselves, to stand for what is right and to be just in our lives today with a belief in God, country and oneself.
- There is no apron, but the jewel is a gold Teutonic cross, enameled in red, with a silver double-headed eagle with wings spread pointing downward resting upon it.
- The duty is to labor unceasingly for the good of mankind.
- In this degree the apprentice learns prayerful self-examination. The mistakes today should not be committed tomorrow.
- Simply, the daily look at ones self to learn to live with the future. No apron is worn in the Supreme Tribunal, but the traditional apron displayed is of pure white lambskin with a Teutonic Cross of black and silver embroidered upon the flap.
- The jewel is a silver Teutonic cross. The jewel is suspended from a white collar, with a gold triangle with a “31″ inside it. The duty is to judge yourself in the same light as you judge others, considering both actions and motives.
- The lessons taught in this degree are that genuine brotherhood requires mutual regard, opinion, esteem and charity.
- We always look for the good in all and make allowances for other’s shortcomings. We trust the Supreme Architect to lead us to friendship, morality and brotherly love.
- The apron of this degree is white, lined in black, with a double-headed eagle and a plan of the Camp of the Princes.
- The jewel worn is a golden Teutonic Cross. In the center are the letters XXXII, surrounded by a green wreath. The cap of a Master of the Royal Secret is black silk with a black band trimmed in gold. In the center front is a double-headed eagle emblem with a rayed equilateral triangle above in gold.
- The triangle is red, has 32° in its center and is trimmed with gold. The duties are: a Soldier of the Light seeks truth and knowledge; a Soldier of Freedom demands for the people free vote and voice and attains freedom of voice, vote and opinion for himself; a Soldier of the True Religion combats spiritual tyranny with reason and truth; a Soldier of the People encourages men to be self-reliant and independent; a Soldier of Scottish Rite Masonry is zealous and ardent in the performance of his duties to God, his country, his family, his brethren and himself.
- 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 Grand Inspectors General 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.
