What is Freemasonry?
Many people think they know what Freemasonry is and what it does, but talking to a Freemason will provide a better understanding of what Freemasonry is. Freemasons are more than happy to talk about their hobby, what they get out of it, and how they help others.
Freemasonry is one of the world's largest and oldest non-religious and non political fraternal organisations. It is open to everybody, regardless of background, race, or beliefs.
Freemasonry's roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles, cathedrals, and other major structures in the middle ages. Masons would travel from site to site seeking work and, as most people could not read or write in those days, they needed some way to prove their qualifications.
There were/are three degrees of what is called Craft Masonry - Apprentice, Craftsman and Master Mason. A system of grips (handshakes), tokens (signs) and words was developed to allow masons to prove their level of qualification. So, as an apprentice moved through the craftsman stage to become a master mason, he was taught the appropriate grip, token and word of each degree. This tradition is continued today as new members make their journey from Apprentice to Craftsman to Master Mason.
Having reached the level of Master Mason, members are encouraged to join the Royal Arch, considered to be the completion of the journey.
Freemasonry today is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world and is open to people of all backgrounds. Its aim is to allow and encourage people to be the best they can be. Put simply, the aim of Freemasonry is to "make good men better".
Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life:
Integrity
Rather than working on buildings like the masons of old, Freemasons today focus on building themselves as people of integrity. Membership provides the structure to achieve this.
Friendship
Freemasonry provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
Respect
Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion, or any other perceived differences that can divide us in society.
Charity
Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained in our principles and give members the opportunity to make positive contributions to their communities and various and varied causes. Freemasonry is one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the country - almost £1 million is donated each week.
social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals.
For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true now as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.
Membership is open to men over 18 from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.
Freemasonry provides a structure for members to come together under these common goals, enabling people to make new friendships, develop themselves and make valuable contributions to charitable causes. We are one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the country, with a noteworthy almost £1 million donated per weekOne of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals.
For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true now as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.
Membership is open to men over 18 from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.
Freemasonry provides a structure for members to come together under these common goals, enabling people to make new friendships, develop themselves and make valuable contributions to charitable causes. We are one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the country, with a noteworthy almost £1 million donated per week