The 3 Degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice to Master Mason (Full Guide)
What Are the Degrees?
Freemasonry is not a single event. It is a progressive journey through three ceremonial stages called degrees.
Each degree:
Takes 30–90 minutes
Involves an allegorical play (candidate participates)
Teaches a specific moral lesson
Requires memorization of a short lecture
Ends with a handshake (grip) and password
You cannot “buy” a degree. You must experience it. There are no shortcuts.
Degree 1: Entered Apprentice
Symbolism: Birth. Youth. The foundation of character.
What happens:
You are prepared (hoodwink – blindfold)
You are led into the lodge
You kneel at an altar with a sacred text (Bible, Torah, Quran, etc.)
You take your first obligation (oath)
You receive the Entered Apprentice grip and password
You are taught the working tools (24-inch gauge, common gavel, chisel)
Moral lesson: Self-discipline. You learn to subdue your passions and improve yourself daily.
Keyword phrase: Freemason requirements for this degree: a sincere desire to learn.
After the degree: You memorize the Entered Apprentice lecture (about 15 minutes of material). You cannot attend Fellow Craft meetings until you do.
Degree 2: Fellow Craft
Symbolism: Adulthood. The pursuit of knowledge.
What happens:
No hoodwink (you have already proven your character)
You take a second obligation
You learn the Fellow Craft grip and password
You receive the working tools (plumb, square, level)
You are taught the five senses and the seven liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy)
Moral lesson: Intellectual growth. You must study and think, not just follow.
Notable fact: The Fellow Craft degree contains the most geometry and architecture symbolism. This reflects Freemasonry’s roots in medieval stonemason guilds.
Degree 3: Master Mason
Symbolism: Death and resurrection. The completion of moral character.
What happens:
The most dramatic of the three degrees
You play the role of Hiram Abiff – the legendary architect of King Solomon’s Temple
Hiram is pursued by three ruffians who want the Master’s word
Hiram refuses to reveal it and is struck down (symbolic death)
He is later raised (resurrection) by King Solomon
You receive the Master Mason grip and the true word
Moral lesson: Fidelity, integrity, and the certainty of death. A Master Mason faces death without fear because he has lived an honorable life.
Important: The “death” is entirely allegorical. No one is harmed. Hiram Abiff is a biblical legend, not a historical figure.
After the Three Degrees
You are now a Master Mason. This is the highest rank in Blue Lodge Freemasonry.
From here, you can:
Join appendant bodies (York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriners)
Become a lodge officer (Steward, Deacon, Warden, Master)
Visit any recognized lodge in the world (over 50 countries)
Access Masonic charity and relief funds
Common Myths About the Degrees
| Myth | Truth |
|---|---|
| “You have to drink blood” | No. Absolutely false. |
| “You are beaten during initiation” | No. Hazing is banned in all regular Grand Lodges. |
| “You swear loyalty to a world government” | No. You swear to God and your lodge brothers. |
| “You learn magic powers” | No. You learn morality and philosophy. |
How Long Between Degrees?
| Degree | Minimum time (varies by jurisdiction) |
|---|---|
| Entered Apprentice → Fellow Craft | 28 days |
| Fellow Craft → Master Mason | 28 days |
| Total | 2–6 months |
Some lodges spread degrees over a year. Rushing is discouraged. The journey is the point.
Memorization Requirements
Each degree requires you to memorize a “lecture” (catechism). For example:
Entered Apprentice Q&A sample:
Q: Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?
A: In my heart.
This is not difficult. Most men learn it in 2–4 weeks.
Final Thought
The 3 degrees of Freemasonry transform a curious man into a Master Mason. You do not need to be rich, famous, or powerful. You only need good character and a willingness to learn.
No sacrifice. No secrets that harm anyone. Just an ancient path to becoming a better man.
