Freemasonry, often shrouded in mystery and intrigue, is alleged to be linked to everything from the design of Washington D.C. to historical murders. This fraternal brotherhood counts prominent politicians, Founding Fathers, and business magnates among its members. While modern Freemasons are recognized for their significant charitable contributions, the question remains: what is a Freemason, and what are their core tenets? Is the rumored secret Freemason handshake fact or fiction? Let’s delve into seven key aspects to demystify the Freemasons.
1. Freemasonry: The World’s Oldest Fraternal Order
Freemasons are part of the world’s oldest fraternal organization, tracing its origins back to the guilds of skilled stonemasons in medieval Europe. Emerging during the Middle Ages, these guilds were associations of craftsmen who built the grand cathedrals of the time. As cathedral construction declined, the society’s focus evolved. Today, Freemasonry is described by Margaret Jacob, a history professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Living the Enlightenment: Freemasonry and Politics in Eighteenth-Century Europe, as “a social and philanthropic organization meant to make its members lead more virtuous and socially oriented lives.” Rooted in the Enlightenment era, Freemasonry, according to Cécile Révauger, a Freemason, historian of Freemasonry, and professor at the University of Bordeaux, still upholds the period’s “core values, religious tolerance, thirst for knowledge, and sociability.”
While not strictly a secret society, Freemasonry does maintain private passwords and rituals inherited from its medieval guild past. Jacob explains, “In the original guild, there were three stages: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Masons who oversaw everyone working on a site. Today, these degrees are more philosophical.”
2. Decoding Freemason Symbols
Freemasonry utilizes a rich language of visual symbols derived from stonemasonry tools. The “All-Seeing Eye,” or Eye of Providence, though not Masonic in origin, is adopted by Freemasons to symbolize the omniscience of God. The most iconic Freemason symbol, “The Square and Compasses,” features a builder’s square joined with a compass. The “G” at its center is debated; some MIT experts suggest it represents geometry, vital to early Freemasons, while others believe it stands for God, the “Grand Architect of the Universe.” The Square and Compasses remains a popular emblem on Masonic rings.
Another, less common Masonic symbol is the beehive. Jacob notes, “Masons were originally working men who were supposed to be as busy as bees. And the beehive symbolizes the industriousness of the lodge.”
3. The Freemason Handshake: Fact and Variety
The notion of a secret Freemason handshake is indeed true. Freemasons use a variety of handshakes to recognize each other, differentiated by rank within the organization. Révauger clarifies, “There is a handshake for each degree: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master, i.e., the first three degrees and also in the higher degrees. Each rite has its own handshakes, so there is quite a variety. They are used during Masonic ceremonies.” These handshakes serve as a discreet way for members to identify one another.
4. Catholic Church Opposition to Freemasonry
While Freemasonry is not a religion in itself, it mandates belief in a “Supreme Being,” or “Grand Architect of the Universe.” Membership draws from diverse faiths, yet the Catholic Church strictly prohibits its members from joining. The Catholic Church’s condemnation of Freemasonry began in 1738, fueled by concerns about Masonic temples and their private rituals. In the 19th century, the Vatican even referred to the Masons as the “Synagogue of Satan.”
The Church’s stance solidified in 1983, declaring, “Their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.” This firm opposition highlights the significant theological and philosophical differences perceived between Catholicism and Freemasonry.
5. Freemasons and the Birth of a U.S. Political Third Party
Freemasonry’s influence extended into the political sphere, notably with the emergence of the Anti-Masonic Party in the United States in 1828. This marked the first third party in American political history, arising from anxieties about Freemasonry’s perceived secrecy and growing power. Conspiracy theories proliferated within the party, with leaders alleging Masonic involvement in a notorious murder, supposedly to silence the victim from exposing Masonic secrets.
6. Membership: Still Primarily a Men’s Club
Historically, Freemasonry restricted membership to men. The “1723 Constitutions,” a foundational document by James Anderson under the Grand Lodge of England, excluded women, atheists, and enslaved people.
While contemporary Freemasonry is more inclusive, with Révauger stating that “masons come from all walks of life, provided they can afford to pay the annual subscription,” limitations persist. Although women can join the affiliated Order of the Eastern Star, and some lodges recognize female members, “freemasonry is not as universal as it claims, since in many countries…women and atheists are still excluded.” In the U.S. and Europe, inclusivity varies by location and individual lodge. Jacob points out the decentralized structure in the U.S., where “grand lodges in each state are a court of last resort,” leading to regional disparities, including continued segregation in some Southern states and non-recognition of Prince Hall Freemasonry (African American Masons) by some Grand Lodges.
7. Notable Freemasons Throughout History
Freemasonry boasts a long list of distinguished members throughout history. George Washington was a Master Mason, and Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in establishing the first Masonic Lodge in America. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Duke Ellington, frontiersman Davy Crockett, automotive pioneer Henry Ford, singer Nat King Cole, actor Paul Robeson, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin are among the many famous Freemasons.
In conclusion, Freemasonry is a complex fraternal organization with a rich history, symbolic traditions, and notable members. While it maintains some secrecy in its rituals and recognition methods, its core principles are centered around personal virtue, social responsibility, and philanthropy. Freemasonry continues to be a subject of fascination and curiosity, bridging its historical roots with its contemporary presence as a global fraternity.
