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- The Mark Master M<\/em>ason<\/strong> degree, which is sometimes said to be an expansion of the Fellow Crafts\u2019 second degree.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Past Master’s<\/em><\/strong> degree is bestowed because of the old requirement that only Past Masters of a Symbolic Lodge may join the Royal Arch. (This is a virtual degree created to conform with tradition, and it confers no rights as a Past Master in a Blue Lodge.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Most Excellent Master<\/em><\/strong> degree, wherein the building of King Solomon\u2019s Temple has been completed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Royal Arch Mason<\/em><\/strong> degree, said by many to be the most beautiful degree in all of Freemasonry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
By joining the York Rite, a Master Mason may proceed to supplement and expand upon the degrees of the Blue Lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The symbolism of the Royal Arch picks up where the Symbolic Lodge leaves off. The symbolism of the Blue Lodge degrees emphasizes the building of King Solomon\u2019s. Royal Arch Masonry (known as Capitular Masonry) continues in this vein by emphasizing symbols and allegories of the Second Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, further symbolism of Solomon\u2019s temple completed, and the Lost Word (also called the Master\u2019s Word) \u2014 which is given to the Royal Arch Mason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within York Rite Masonry, the Royal Arch Degree is described as the Master Mason\u2019s Degree completed. This is due to the fact that up until 1767, the Master Mason Degree of the Blue Lodge contained the secrets of the Royal Arch. Nowadays, these same secrets form a part of the teachings of the Royal Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In England, the Royal Arch Mason degree is automatically included in the Master Mason\u2019s Degree. In 1813, the Mother Grand Lodge of England stated it in no uncertain terms: \u201cAncient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely, those of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason including the Holy Royal Arch.\u201d It is a natural progression of Freemasonry\u2019s primary theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No other degree has been officially recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge \u2014 this landmark remains to this day. No additional Rites and Degrees can be bestowed upon a Master Mason until he has received the Royal Arch Degree. This is perfectly logical because a man is not a Master Mason until he receives the Master\u2019s Word. This is something a Mason can only receive in the Royal Arch. Within Capitular Masonry are contained the essentials of symbolism, allegory, and philosophy that a Master Mason requires in order to understand those teachings which have only been partially given to him in the Blue Lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In architectural symbolism, the capstone is the crowing stone of an entire structure or wall. It is for this reason that Royal Arch Masonry is called \u201cthe Capstone of Ancient Craft Masonry\u201d or the Capitular Rite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Official Charity of Royal Arch Masons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
- The Past Master’s<\/em><\/strong> degree is bestowed because of the old requirement that only Past Masters of a Symbolic Lodge may join the Royal Arch. (This is a virtual degree created to conform with tradition, and it confers no rights as a Past Master in a Blue Lodge.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
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