Freemasonry is a brotherhood of men committed to lives of honor, integrity, and character. The men of Freemasonry are on a journey of self-discovery. For hundreds of years, Freemasons, with deep brotherly support, have worked to become the best version of themselves while working to better their communities and our world.

When you become a Freemason, you join a long tradition of world leaders and great men in many fields who found inspiration and support in this organization. You are embraced into a fellowship that genuinely cares for each of its members and wants to see them excel and meet life’s challenges with strength and integrity. Becoming a Freemason can help you achieve great personal rewards by guiding you to build your moral character and connection to your community. Freemasonry is built upon the core tenets of brotherly love and affection, relief, and truth. Through a commitment to these values, all Freemasons share the common goal of making good men better. In addition to self-improvement, a Freemason is a man eager to be part of something bigger than himself, with a reverence for history, compassion in his heart, and a desire to create a better future.

Freemasonry welcomes men of every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion. However, to join Freemasonry, one must meet the following qualifications: Be a male at least 18 years of age (the minimum age varies in some jurisdictions, sometimes up to 21) Believe in the existence of a supreme being, although Freemasonry is not concerned with theological distinctions or particular religious beliefs Be of good moral character Be motivated to join for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit Your decision to apply is based on your own “free will and accord” Be prompted by a favorable opinion of Freemasonry Be desirous of earning knowledge and willing to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity

Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion. Freemasonry does not intrude on the religious beliefs of its members, although it does require that all members profess a belief in a supreme being. It is one of the few platforms where men of all faiths — Christians (including Catholics), Jews, Muslims, and men of every other faith, can come together. Religion, though, is not discussed at Masonic meetings. Although Lodges open and close with a prayer and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry does not have a theology or a dogma, it does not offer sacraments, and it does not offer the promise of salvation.

No. It is sometimes said that Freemasonry is a “Society with secrets, not a secret society.” Lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are private and open only to members. The rules and aims of Freemasonry are openly available. Meeting places are known and in many areas are used by the local community for activities other than Freemasonry. Members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

The process of applying to become a Freemason can be expedited in a few different ways. You can contact your state’s grand lodge (the overarching Masonic governing body in your state where you live), find a Masonic lodge in your area that you wish to join, or reach out to a man who is a Freemason and ask for his help. You will submit a petition for membership. Members at the lodge will read your petition and form a small committee to meet with you to determine your qualifications and answer any questions you have regarding Freemasonry.

Over the last four centuries, Freemasonry seems to have flourished during times of great enlightenment and change. It is no coincidence that Freemasonry rose to prominence during the Age of Enlightenment in both Europe and America. That was the time when a new generation believed it could discover ways to gain personal improvement, bring order to society, and understand the whole universe. This statement is perhaps even stronger today than it was in the 18th century. Today, men seek out Masonry for the same reasons — to better themselves and improve society in the company of like-minded brothers. As we learn more about how our physical world works, there’s also new interest in those things we don’t understand — especially things bound around tradition or that have a more mystical nature.

In Freemasonry, the lodge means two things. It refers to a group of masons coming together in fellowship, and, at the same time, refers to the room or building in which they meet. There are thousands of Masonic lodges in the USA and many more worldwide. The lodge itself typically consists of a lodge room where official business and Masonic rituals are conducted, as well as several additional areas for brothers to share meals, spend time together, host public and private events, and more.

There are Masonic lodges in or near virtually every city and town in the United States. To find a lodge near you, contact us and we will connect you with a grand lodge in your area. The grand lodge in your state will help you find a local lodge.

There are three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. These degrees are the three ceremonial stages that a man must complete to become a full member of the Masonic fraternity. Collectively, these degrees are known as the symbolic lodge (often called Blue Lodge). The Masonic degrees are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval craftsmen. At each educational stage, a craftsman was required to achieve proficiency before moving to the next stage. Symbolically, the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and age. By advancing through the degrees, a Freemason learns the moral and ethical lessons of the Masonic rite.

The highest rank in Freemasonry is the third degree, that of 'Master Mason'. While some Masonic organizations offer additional degrees that explore the teachings of Freemasonry in further depth, those degrees are not considered to be higher than the symbolic lodge degrees.

To become a Master Mason, you must complete the three degrees of the symbolic lodge. Once you have completed the third degree, you become a full member of Freemasonry, enjoying both the rights and responsibilities of membership. To begin your journey to becoming a Master Mason, submit a petition for membership at a Masonic lodge in your area. Visit our Membership Development page to take the first step.

Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Symbols allow people to communicate quickly, and to transcend language barriers. When you see a green light or a circle with a line through it, for example, you know what it means. Likewise, Masons use metaphors from geometry and the architecture of stonemasonry to inform their continuing pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills. To reflect their heritage, Masons wear aprons while in Lodge, at certain public events, and at funerals to demonstrate their pride in the fraternity, and their lineage from stonemasons, who historically carried their tools in leather aprons. The square and compasses are the most widely known symbol of masonry: when you see the symbol on a building, you know that Masons meet there.

The exact origins of Freemasonry remain lost in time, although many possible theories have been posited by Masonic scholars and researchers. The order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages. Certain Masonic documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and masonry to the time of ancient Egypt and the building of King Solomon’s temple. The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marks the beginning of the modern (or "speculative") era of Freemasonry, when members were no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. These "accepted" Masons adopted more enlightened philosophies and turned what was a tradesmen’s organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service, and gentlemanly socialization. Part of the mystique of Freemasonry can be attributed to speculation about its roots. Over the years, historians have never been able to conclusively determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was formed.

The cost of becoming a Freemason varies from lodge to lodge. The fees associated with membership include a one-time initiation fee and annual dues, which cover the operational expenses of the lodge. Contact your local lodge to find out the exact costs.