Masonic Jewelry

As a part of the Masonic organization, the Scottish Rite lets Master Masons continue their education through the first three degrees. The Scottish Rite is comprised of the 4th to 32nd degrees, which are used to show seniority and dedication to masonry. There are several different degrees, and the systems vary in Europe and the United States, which makes the system somewhat confusing.Contrary to popular belief, the Scottish Rite—and freemasonry in general—is not a secret society and is actually quite open to the public. Men are free to become members, but it requires active engagement on the part of the individual. Members tend to show their affiliation to the group through Scottish Rite rings and other fraternal jewelry.

My fiancé and I are planning to have a traditional Scottish wedding. That means we will both be dressed in traditional garb and repeat the Scottish wedding vows to one another. We will both be having four wedding attendants. Kilts and bagpipes are also included in out plan!

I realized recently that the bride and groom are supposed to give gifts to their wedding attendants. This tradition makes sense because the bridesmaids and the groomsmen do so much to help the couple. We decided to stay with our traditional theme and get the attendants Scottish rite rings.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite is one of two largest concordant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Craft lodge masonry. The Scottish Rite work expands and elaborates on the lessons of the three Craft lodge degrees. As with Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite is not a religion, and it is nondenominational, although it does require a belief in a Supreme Being. The Scottish Rite, sometimes called the “College of Freemasonry”, uses extensive dramatic plays and allegory to emphasize the messages of its degrees. A freemason, after viewing these dramas, will eventually attain the 32nd degree in Scottish Rite masonry. To a non-mason this may sound like the member is a high ranking mason, however, this would be a misconception. The highest degree in Freemasonry is the 3rd or Master Mason degree. Degrees as they relate to the Scottish Rite indicate the level of knowledge that a Master Mason has attained. It would be rather awkward to allude to a member as an Act 32 freemason. In the Scottish Rite, the 33rd degree, an honourary degree, is bestowed on members of the Scottish Rite who have given outstanding service to Freemasonry or to their communities. In the Scottish Rite a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies — Lodge of Perfection, Rose Croix, and Consistory.Examples of Masonic Rings and Scottish Rite Rings can be found at www.foxjewelry.net

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is most commonly known as the Scottish Rite. In the United States, a Scottish Rite is a series of progressive degrees conferred by various Masonic organizations and recognized by the Grand Lodge as building upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the Blue Lodge.

A Master Mason may proceed to the Scottish Rite after he has completed the three degrees of Symbolic or Blue Lodge Masonry.   In Great Britain and some other countries, the Scottish rite is not officially recognized by the Grand Lodge, but a Freemason is still free to join it.  Scottish rite rings can be a great way to commemorate the accomplishment of completion of the Scottish rite and to express Masonic pride.