Scottish Rite Degrees Introduction

The Degrees of the Scottish Rite are one-act plays often staged with costume, scenery, special effects, and the full rigging of any production. Their purpose is to examine different philosophies, ancient religions, and systems of ethics. Through all of these, people have tried to answer certain universal questions. The Degrees of the Rite do not tell a person what he should think about these questions. Instead, they tell him about what great thinkers and civilizations of the past have thought, and they try to create a situation in which the candidate or Brother can gain insight. Agreeing with Socrates that the unexamined life is not worth living, the Rite helps with this self-examination by providing reference points.

 

There are four coordinate bodies within the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction:

1. Lodge of Perfection, 4°-14° (presiding officer - Venerable Master)
2. Chapter of Rose Croix, 15°-18° (presiding officer - Wise Master)
3. Council of Kadosh, 19°- 30° (presiding officer - Commander)
4. Consistory, 31°- 32° (presiding officer - Master of Kadosh)
5. Court of Honour

 

The Lodge of Perfection

     These degrees, the 4th through 14th, are called Ineffable Degrees because their principal purpose is the investigation and contemplation of the ineffable name of Deity. Following each of degrees listed below we have provided a brief statement of the moral teachings found within its lecture.

4th degree - Secret Master: Your first steps into our sanctuary are duty, reflection and study. They teach us to honor those relationships to God, family, country, Masonry. The lessons of the 4o are secrecy, obedience, and fidelity.

DUTIES
Practice silence, obedience, fidelity
LESSONS
The teachings of Masonry are not to be taken lightly.
Learning far outlasts physical monuments.
Duties are not to be performed expecting reward - 
but expecting personal satisfaction.

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 teachings: secrecy, obedience and fidelity.

 

5th degree - Perfect Master: The degree teaches that honesty and trustworthiness is the cornerstone of the foundation of Masonic honor. This virtue should be in all of our undertakings. The lessons of the 5o are Honesty, Sincerity, and good Faith. 

DUTIES
Be industrious and honest.
LESSONS
Life is uncertain; death may call at any time.
The noblest portion of humanity is virtue for virtues sake.

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 teachings: honesty, sincerity, and good faith.

  

6th degree - Intimate Secretary: In this degree we should learn duty, charity and toleration. We are told to reshape ourselves and our thinking into charity, self-control, and success. Be a peacemaker.

DUTIES
Be zealous, faithful, disinterested and benevolent. 
Act the peacemaker.
LESSONS
Zeal and fidelity to duty are always rewarded.

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.

 

7th degree - Provost and Judge: We learn that impartial justice protect person, property, happiness and reputation. These degrees teach us to judge with patience and impartially.

DUTIES
Let justice be the guide of your actions.
LESSONS
All actions have consequences. Be just in judging others' motives.

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.

 

8th degree - Intendant of the Building: We should strive for perfection by using the great principles of "God's inherent love, charity, morality and kindness".

DUTIES
Be benevolent and charitable.
LESSONS
Benevolence and charity demand we correct our own faults and those of others. 
That which a man knows dies with him; therefore, transmit your knowledge. 
Labor is honorable if done with sobriety, temperance, punctuality and industry.

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.

 

9th degree - Elu of the Nine (Elected Knight of the Nine): Scottish Rite virtues are at the very heart of this degree, truth, candor and generosity. We should use these to shape our lives and conduct.

DUTIES
To enlighten our souls and minds. 
To instruct and enlighten the people. 
To be vigilant to the interests and honor of our country.
LESSONS
Ignorance is the principal enemy of human freedom. 
A free press is indispensable to true liberty. 
Remorse and guilt are God's punishment and more severe than that of man.

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.

 

10th degree - Elu of the Fifteen (Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen): This degree teaches toleration of others. Everyone has the right to his own political or spiritual views.

DUTIES
Be tolerant and liberal. 
War against fanaticism and persecution with education and enlightenment.
LESSONS
Ambition creates tyranny and despotism. 
Fanaticism creates intolerance 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, and 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.

  

11th degree - Elu of the Twelve (Sublime Knight Elect of the Twelve): This degree teaches sympathy. We should sympathetic to our brother masons and to all mankind as well.

DUTIES
Be earnest true and reliable. 
Be the champion of the people.
LESSONS
Life is a school. Masonry is work.

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 being 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.”

 

12th degree - Master Architect: This degree teaches faith in moral and virtues and in God. "Life is what each man makes of it; the optimist turns a trial into a blessing.

DUTIES
Seek wisdom through knowledge.
LESSONS
Wisdom is a gift from God and should be preferred over riches. 
Wisdom and knowledge bring honor, discretion and understanding. 
Wisdom teaches the knowledge of God. 
Wisdom enables immortality.

This degree teaches faith in morality and virtue and in 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.

 

13th degree - Royal Arch of Solomon (Knight of the Ninth Arch): This degree teaches liberty in our mind and our hearts, motivated by duty and honor.

DUTIES
Seek knowledge. 
Be motivated by duty and honor.
LESSONS
Moral character is a habit, not formed in a moment. 
The great law of retribution acts in our memory as remorse and at the final judgement.

Liberty; in our mind and our hearts, motivated by duty and honor are the lessons of this degree. The apron worn 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.

 

14th degree - Perfect Elu (Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason): In the degree we learn to reflect and look into ourselves. We should strive to be true to ourselves and our God.

DUTIES
Assist, encourage and defend the brethren. 
Protect the oppressed and relieve want and distress. 
Enlighten the people. 
Serve the common good and be fruitful of all good works.
LESSONS
Perfect Elus are both bound and free; bound by their obligation and free from prejudice, intolerance and envy. 
Masons meet on the level because in their lives authority and liberty are in equilibrium.

This degree teaches us to reflect and scrutinize oneself. 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.

 

Chapter of Rose Croix

     The degrees of the Chapter of Rose Croix are very complex. They attempt to invest the candidate with a deeper understanding of Religion, Philosophy, Ethics, and History. The intellectual challenges presented in these degrees, is at times overwhelming, and can take years to master. A thorough reading of the chapters related to them in Morals and Dogma and in the Legenda and Readings is essential to achieve even a basic comprehension of their true meaning.

15th degree - Knight of the East, of the Sword, or of the Eagle: In this degree "we learn fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement."

DUTIES
Rebuild the Masonic temple of liberty, equality and fraternity in the souls of men and of nations.
LESSONS
Fidelity to trust, honor and duty. 
Perseverance and constancy under difficulties and discouragements.

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.

 

16th degree - Prince of Jerusalem: This degree teaches "heroism of patience, the nobility of self-sacrifice" and compassionate judgment, along with charity, fidelity and brotherhood.

DUTIES
To direct and aid those who labor to build the Symbolic Temple. 
Judge equitably and fairly. 
Provide aid of whatever kind to fellow Princes of Jerusalem. 
Keep faith in the justice and beneficence of God. 
Press forward with hope for the persecuted and oppressed.
LESSONS
Build Temples of the Living God in our Hearts by following Masonic Truth - justice, equity, morality, wisdom, labor, fidelity, brotherhood - to achieve immortality.

We learn “heroism of patience, the nobility of self-sacrifice” and compassionate judgment, along with charity, fidelity and brotherhood. This crimson apron is edged in gold and aurora-color, and with a square, shield, Delta (with three YODs), balance and a hand of justice. The jewel worn 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.

 

17th degree - Knight of the East and West: The lessons of this degree are that loyalty to God is man's primary allegiance, and the temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall.

DUTIES
To work, to reflect and to pray. 
To hope, to trust and to believe. 
To teach the truths that are hidden in allegories and concealed in the symbols of Freemasonry.
LESSONS
An army of martyrs have offered up their lives to prove their faith or benefit mankind.

The wisdom of this degree is that loyalty to God is man’s primary allegiance and the temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall. The apron worn is of yellow satin, with crimson and gold, and 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.

 

18th degree - Knight Rose Croix: This degree teaches that life and it's strengths come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many cultures. To be tolerant of others errors and faults.

DUTIES
Practice virtue that it may produce fruit. 
Labor to eliminate vice, purify humanity. 
Be tolerant of the faith and creed of others.
LESSONS
We should have faith in God, mankind and ourselves. 
We should hope in the victory over evil, the advancement of humanity, and a hereafter. 
Charity is relieving the wants and tolerating the errors and faults of others.

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 others errors and their faults. The apron worn 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.

 

Council of Kadosh

The degrees of the Council of Kadosh are chivalric and philosophical, but also contain mystical material. The word "Kadosh" is a Hebrew word meaning "Holy". The complexity of these degrees cannot be overstated and is exemplified by the number of pages attributed to them in Morals and Dogma. The twenty-eighth degree alone is over a quarter of the 1000+ page tome

19th degree - Grand Pontiff: The lessons of this degree are learned from the past and how it affects the present and the way we live in the future. We always strive to endure, produce and improve the world as it surrounds us.

DUTIES
Be content to labor for the future. 
Serve the cause of truth with patience and industry. 
Destroy error, falsehood and intolerance with truth, honesty, honor and charity.
LESSONS
Good will triumph over evil. 
The human intellect cannot measure the designs of God. 
If lived properly, this life is a bridge to eternal life.

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.

 

20th degree - Master of the Symbolic Lodge: This degree shows us Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. These teach moral, religious and philosophical understanding. This degree helps one to comprehend Deity, forces of nature, good and evil.

DUTIES
Dispense light and knowledge. 
Practice the Masonic virtues both in and out of the Lodge.
LESSONS
Truth, justice and toleration are indispensible qualities for a Master of the Lodge. 
Example is the best teaching method known.

This demonstrates liberty, fraternity and equality. These truths teach morals, religious and philosophical understandings. This degree helps one to comprehend Deity, forces of nature, good and evil. The apron worn 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 that is worn is made of gold with the same three concentric triangles.

 

21st degree - Noachite, or Prussian Knight: The lesson from this degree is to learn 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.

DUTIES
Be humble and modest, trusting in God. 
Be steadfast and courageous in the face of adversity.
LESSONS
The downfall of evil is certain. 
A free and independent judiciary is necessary to human progress. 
Journalism should be fair, just and responsible.

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 worn 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.”

 

22nd degree - Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus: This degree teaches, "if a job is worth doing its worth doing well". By doing good work we improve character and become better citizens.

DUTIES
Respect labor for its own sake, and do work.
LESSONS
Work is the mission of man.

This degree emphasizes work ethics: By doing good work we improve character and become better citizens. The apron worn in 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, Ezra (on one side) and Shem, Kham, Yapheth, Moses, Ahaliab, Betselal (on the other).

 

23rd degree - Chief of the Tabernacle: This degree teaches that the man who forgets his duty to God, family, country, and himself will be in danger of morally and spiritually destruction by thoughts unworthy ambition.

DUTIES
Be devoted to the service of God.
Constantly endeavor to promote the welfare of man.
Act with proper subordination to your superiors.
LESSONS
Simple faith is wiser than vain philosophy.
A society's concept of the Deity and the universe are consistent with its
development.

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: Sun, faith “aspiration toward the infinite”; Moon, hope; Venus, charity; Mars, fortitude “victory over rage and anger”; Mercury, prudence; Saturn, temperance; Jupiter, conqueror of the Titans, justice. The jewel worn is a small silver censer, or ornamented cup, held by a handle in the shape of an open hand.

 

24th degree - Prince of the Tabernacle: In this degree a Mason must show evidence of compassion, piety and justice. After initiation he may "manifest faithfully the social virtues in order to receive the rewards", to serve humanity through our brotherhood.

DUTIES
Labor incessantly for the glory of God, the honor of your country and the
happiness of your brethren.
LESSONS
The power of faith in the Deity and his promises.
The soul is immortal.
There is one, true God, who is pure, absolute intellect and existence.

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 worn 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.

 

25th degree - Knight of the Brazen Serpent: This degree tackles the concept of pure, celestial, eternal soul of man. He looks within his faith, life, and God and to get a clear look at his inner self.

DUTIES
Fulfill your destiny and re-create yourself by reformation, repentance and
enlarging your knowledge.
LESSONS
Man is composed of the flesh, the soul and the intellect.
Man is a reflection of the Divine.
Do not weary God with petitions.

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 and to get a clear look at his inner self. The apron worn is white, lined in black, and 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.

 

26th degree - Prince of Mercy, or Scottish Trinitarian: In this degree we search for "the rewards of the trinity of Gods attributes - wisdom or intelligence, force or strength, harmony or beauty."

DUTIES
Practice mercy (forgiveness).
Be tolerant.
Be devoted to the teaching and diffusion of the true principles of Masonry.
LESSONS
The trinity of Deity belongs to no single religion.
The truths of Masonry are contained within the religions of the world.

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.

 

27th degree - Knight Commander of the Temple: This lesson of this degree teaches us 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.

DUTIES
Be a lover of wisdom.
Be faithful to the promises you made within the Masonry.
LESSONS
Nature reveals a power and wisdom and continually points to God.
The visible is a manifestation of the invisible.
In the universe two opposite forces provide balance.
There is no death, only change.
Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning, but never arriving at the ideal
of truth.
The moral code of Masonry is more extensive than that of philosophy.

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.

 

28th degree - Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept: This degree teaches that our love for God manifests itself in our love for Truth, Justice and Nobility of Soul.

DUTIES
Be devoted to truth, honor, loyalty, justice and humanity.
LESSONS
Masonry is practical and requires its members to be actively involved in life.
Virtue and duty have been the same in all times.

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.

 

29th degree - Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew: The virtues of this degree are "Love of God, loyalty to superiors, faithful adherence to promise and active resistance to unfair judgment."

DUTIES
Reverence and obedience to the Deity.
Serve the truth.
Protect virtue and innocence.
Defend the people against tyranny.
LESSONS
Ideas and institutions wax and wane in the great cycle of time which is but change.

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.

 

30th degree - Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White and Black Eagle: The lesson of this degree is to be true to ourselves, to stand for what is right and just in our lives today. To believe in God, country and ourselves.

DUTIES
Labor unceasingly for the good of mankind.
LESSONS
Arm yourself with faith in God, love toward your fellow man and knowledge.
Great examples are the noblest legacies from the past; they enrich a nation
more than wealth or power.

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.

 

Consistory

The Consistory Degrees are very different from all the preceding degrees. They attempt to illustrate the creation of the ideal balance between the spiritual and the temporal.

 

31st degree - Inspector Inquisitor: This degree teaches 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.

DUTIES
Judge yourself in the same light as you judge others - consider both actions
and motives.
LESSONS
The good man is able to portray himself and his actions positively and not
simply assert the absence of wrong in his life.
Justice and mercy are two opposites which unite in the great harmony of equity.
To aim at the best but be content with the best possible is true wisdom.

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.

 

32nd degree - Master of the Royal Secret

DUTIES
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.
LESSONS
The human is ever interlaced with the Divine.
Only doctrines, faith or knowledge which bear fruit in action are of value.
To work is to worship.

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, make allowances for others’ shortcomings. We trust the Supreme Architect to lead us to friendship, morality and brotherly love. The apron worn in 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.

 

Court of Honour

Knight Commander of the Court of Honour: At the biennial session of the Supreme Council certain Masters of the Royal Secret, having held that degree for at least forty-six months prior to the session, are chosen to receive the Rank and Decoration of Knights Commander of the Court of Honour. These are chosen from the ranks of the Consistory for special service to Masonry, or to mankind, by the Deputy or Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The Knight Commander of the Court of Honour may be recognized by the red cap they are entitled to wear. The rank of KCCH, if petitioned or asked for, must be refused. 

Thirty-Third Degree (33°), Inspector General Honorary: 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. The 33° cannot be asked for and if asked for must be refused. At its bi­ennial session the Supreme Council elects members of the Rite to receive the Degree. These 33° Masons are Inspectors General honorary and honorary members of the Supreme Council. The active members of the Supreme Council are chosen from among them. 

Grand Cross of the Court of Honour: This is the highest individual honor that The Supreme Council bestows. It is voted very rarely to Thirty-third Degree Masons only for the most exceptional and extraordinary services.