Rosicrucian Society ™

 

 

Masonic Rosicrucian Degree Structure in the United States and Canada

Attainment of the third Masonic degree, that of a Master Mason, represents the attainment of the highest rank in all of Masonry. Additional degrees are sometimes referred to as appendant degrees, even where the degree numbering might imply a hierarchy. They represent a lateral movement in Masonic Education rather than an upward movement, and are degrees of instruction rather than rank.

In 2000, the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction completed a revision of its ritual scripts. In 2004, the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction rewrote and reorganized its degrees.[29] Further changes have occurred in 2006.[30] The current titles of the degrees and their arrangement in the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States remains substantially unchanged from the beginning. The list of degrees for the Supreme Councils of Australia, England and Wales, and most other jurisdictions agrees with that of the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S. However, the list of degrees for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States is now somewhat different and is given in the table below. The list of degrees of the Supreme Council of Canada reflects a mixture of the two, with some unique titles as well:

The 18th Degree Rose Croix is the primary symbol of the Rosicrucian Degrees.

Degree Number Southern Jurisdiction[31] Northern Jurisdiction[32] Canada[33]
Secret Master Master Traveler Secret Master
Perfect Master
Intimate Secretary Master of the Brazen Serpent Intimate Secretary
Provost and Judge
Intendant of the Building
Elu of the Nine Master of the Temple Elect of the Nine
10° Elu of the Fifteen Master Elect[34] Elect of the Fifteen
11° Elu of the Twelve Sublime Master Elected Elect of the Twelve
12° Master Architect Grand Master Architect
13° Royal Arch of Solomon Master of the Ninth Arch Royal Arch of Solomon
14° Perfect Elu Grand Elect Mason Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Mason
15° Knight of the East, or
Knight of the Sword, or
Knight of the Eagle
Knight of the East, or
Knight of the Sword
16° Prince of Jerusalem
17° Knight of the East and West
18° Knight Rose Croix Knight of the Rose Croix de Heredom Knight Rose Croix
19° Grand Pontiff
20° Master of the Symbolic Lodge Master ad Vitam
21° Noachite, or
Prussian Knight
Patriarch Noachite
22° Knight of the Royal Axe, or
Prince of Libanus
Prince of Libanus
23° Chief of the Tabernacle
24° Prince of the Tabernacle Brother of the Forest Prince of the Tabernacle
25° Knight of the Brazen Serpent Master of Achievement Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26° Prince of Mercy, or
Scottish Trinitarian
Friend and Brother Eternal[35] Prince of Mercy
27° Knight of the Sun, or
Prince Adept
Knight of Jerusalem Commander of the Temple
28° Knight Commander of the Temple Knight of the Sun, or
Prince Adept
Knight of the Sun
29° Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew Knight of Saint Andrew
30° Knight Kadosh, or
Knight of the White and Black Eagle
Grand Inspector Knight Kadosh
31° Inspector Inquisitor Knight Aspirant Inspector Inquisitor Commander
32° Master of the Royal Secret Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
33° Inspector General

In the United States, members of the Scottish Rite can be elected to receive the 33° by the Supreme Council. It is conferred on members who have made major contributions to society or to Masonry in general. In the Southern Jurisdiction, a member who has been a 32° Scottish Rite Mason for 46 months or more is eligible to be elected to receive the "rank and decoration" of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (K.C.C.H.) in recognition of outstanding service. After 46 months as a K.C.C.H. he is then eligible to be elected to the 33rd degree, upon approval of the Supreme Council and Grand Commander.[36]

 In the Northern Jurisdiction, there is only one 46-month requirement for eligibility to receive the 33rd degree, and while there is a Meritorious Service Award (as well as a Distinguished Service Award), they are not required intermediate steps towards the 33°. A recipient of the 33rd Degree is an honorary member of the Supreme Council and is therefore called an "Inspector General Honorary." However, those who are appointed Deputies of the Supreme Council that are later elected to membership on the Supreme Council are then designated "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General." In the Northern Jurisdiction a recipient of the 33rd Degree is an honorary member of the Supreme Council, and all members are referred to as a "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General."

 

 

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