"MASONIC-FAQ" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

the rule, the compass, the square, the level, etc. Each of these has a
symbolic meaning in Masonry. For example, Masons are said to meet
"on the level", meaning that all Masons are brothers, regardless of
social status, personal wealth, or office within the Lodge or in the
world at large. Similar symbolism exists for other tools.

Masonry is distinguished from other fraternal orders by its emphasis on
moral character, its ornate rituals, and its long tradition and history,
which dates back to at least the 17th century in modern form, the 14th
century (c. 1350-1390) in the written evidence of its precursors, and back
to the mists of antiquity in its origin. Masonry has a continuously
documented paper history (i.e., Lodge to Lodge) since 1717, though
historical analysis shows Masonry to be much older.

There are also a great many things that Masonry is NOT: a religion, a
secret society, etc., and these will be covered later in this FAQ.

There are three degrees in Masonry. Other appendant bodies confer
additional degrees, up to the 32nd (or the honorary 33rd) of the Scottish
Rite, but in symbolic Masonry (or Blue Lodge Masonry) proper, there are
only three. At the Blue Lodge, Masons receive the degrees of Entered
Apprentice (first degree), Fellowcraft (second degree), and Master Mason
(third degree). Promotion generally requires the mastery of a small body
of memorized material, the contents of which varies from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, only the signs, tokens, and grips of
each degree must be learned; in others, a longer amount of material.

Of course, no Mason would ever look down upon a Brother simply because
he was of a lower degree-- the degrees do not exist to create a pecking
order or to confer rank. Rather, they are a system of initiation that
allows men to become familiar with the august and ancient history and
principles of Masonry at a comfortable pace. Proceeding from Entered
Apprentice to Master Mason in the US can take as little as three months,
while in England, the degrees are spaced apart by a year's interval.

Most Lodges have regular communications (meetings) once a month, that are
also referred to as "business meetings". In the US, these are typically
only open to Master Masons. In England, these meetings are usually opened
in the first degree, and EAs may attend). Conferring of degrees is
usually done at other meetings during the month.

While conferral of degrees and mundane business do take up a lot of a
Lodge's time, there are a host of other activities that Masons engage
in within the fraternity. Charitable work is often done, in the form
of fundraisers, community volunteer work, etc. And there are also a
great many things done for the simple pleasure of company: monthly
breakfasts or dinners, picnics, card/chess matches, lecturers on Masonic
history, you name it. Masonry is a fraternity, and its membership seeks
to have fun.