The Lexicon
Glossary of the Craft
Every word a Mason ever needed to know — alphabetized, illuminated, and free of mystification.
- Acacia
- Evergreen tree placed at the head of Hiram Abiff's grave; emblem of the immortality of the soul.
- Accepted Mason
- A non-operative member of a stonemason's guild — i.e., a 'speculative' Mason. Origin of modern Freemasonry.
- Affiliate
- To formally join a particular Lodge after having been raised in another.
- Ancient Charges
- The duties owed by a Mason to God, neighbor, and self, recited at every regular meeting.
- Apron
- Lambskin badge of the Mason; emblem of innocence and the bond of friendship.
- Ashlar (Rough)
- An unhewn stone, representing the Entered Apprentice in his crude state.
- Ashlar (Perfect)
- A polished cubic stone, representing the Mason perfected by education and the working of the Craft.
- Boaz
- The left-hand pillar at the porch of King Solomon's Temple — 'In strength.'
- Cable Tow
- Symbolic cord by which the candidate is led; later, the symbol of voluntary service to the Craft.
- Chapter
- Body of Royal Arch Masons; the ninth degree of the York Rite.
- Charge
- Solemn instruction given to a candidate at the close of each degree.
- Chivalry, Orders of
- Knights Templar and Knights of Malta — the highest degrees of the York Rite.
- Circumambulation
- Ritual walking around the Lodge in imitation of the Sun's path.
- Clandestine Lodge
- A body claiming to be Masonic but unrecognized by any regular Grand Lodge.
- Compasses
- Working Tool of the Worshipful Master and Grand Master; used to circumscribe desires.
- Cowan
- A pretender; one who attempts to enter the Lodge without due qualification.
- Craft, The
- Freemasonry itself; the universal brotherhood of Masons.
- Degree
- A stage of initiation. The three Symbolic Degrees are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.
- Deacon
- Officer who carries messages between the Master and Wardens, and conducts candidates.
- Demit
- A formal release from one's Lodge in good standing.
- Due Guard
- A specific manual sign by which a Mason can be recognized in a degree.
- Eastern Star
- Adoptive order for Master Masons and their female relatives, founded by Robert Morris.
- Entered Apprentice
- The first degree of Symbolic Masonry.
- Fellow Craft
- The second degree; representative of manhood and the seven liberal arts and sciences.
- Fez
- Red felt cap worn by Shriners; emblem of the Order of the Mystic Shrine.
- Five Points of Fellowship
- Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, mouth to ear — by which Brother is raised.
- Free and Accepted
- Designation of regular Masons (F.&A.M.); 'free' meaning unbound by serfdom, 'accepted' meaning speculative.
- Geometry
- The first and noblest of the sciences; the foundation of the Craft.
- Grand Architect of the Universe
- The Masonic name for Deity, indifferent to creed but absolute in moral law.
- Grand Lodge
- The supreme governing body of Masonry within a given jurisdiction.
- Grand Master
- The presiding officer of a Grand Lodge.
- Grip
- A particular hand-clasp by which Masons of a given degree recognize one another.
- Hele
- Old English for 'to conceal'; one of the obligations of the Entered Apprentice.
- Hiram Abiff
- The legendary Master of the Work at Solomon's Temple; central figure of the Master Mason degree.
- Hoodwink
- Blindfold used during initiation; symbol of the candidate's spiritual darkness.
- Jachin
- The right-hand pillar of Solomon's Temple — 'He shall establish.'
- Jewels
- Officers' badges of office; also the moveable and immoveable symbols of the Lodge.
- Knights Templar
- Christian appendant body of the York Rite; commemorates the medieval Crusader order.
- Lambskin
- Material of the Mason's apron; emblem of purity.
- Landmarks
- Ancient and unalterable principles of the Craft.
- Lewis
- An iron device for lifting heavy stones; symbolically, the son of a Mason.
- Lodge
- Both the physical room and the assembly of Masons therein, never fewer than three.
- Master Mason
- The third degree; full member of the Craft, capable of all rights and benefits.
- Mosaic Pavement
- The checkered floor of the Lodge; emblem of life's duality.
- Mystic Tie
- The invisible bond connecting all Masons regardless of language, race, or nation.
- Obligation
- The solemn promise taken at the altar in each degree.
- On the Level
- Equal in fellowship; descended from the principle of the working tool.
- On the Square
- Honest, upright, and faithful in dealing.
- Past Master
- A Brother who has served as Worshipful Master of a Lodge.
- Petition
- Formal application for membership in a Lodge.
- Pillars
- Boaz and Jachin; the two columns at the porch of the Temple.
- Plumb
- Working Tool of the Junior Warden; teaches uprightness.
- Prince Hall
- Founder of African-American Freemasonry; namesake of Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges.
- Profane
- Not in the negative sense — simply one who has not yet been initiated.
- Raise
- To confer the Master Mason degree.
- Royal Arch
- The completion of the Master Mason degree; revealed in the York Rite Chapter.
- Rough Ashlar
- See Ashlar (Rough).
- Scottish Rite
- Appendant body conferring the 4th through 33rd degrees beyond Symbolic Masonry.
- Senior Warden
- Second officer of the Lodge; sits in the West, presides in the Master's absence.
- Square
- Working Tool of the Worshipful Master; emblem of virtue and right action.
- Tracing Board
- Painted symbolic chart used to instruct candidates in the symbolism of each degree.
- Trowel
- Working Tool of the Master Mason; spreads the cement of brotherly love.
- Tyler
- Outer guard of the Lodge, armed with a sword to keep off cowans and eavesdroppers.
- Volume of the Sacred Law
- The holy book open upon every Masonic altar — Bible, Tanakh, Quran, Vedas, etc.
- Warden
- An officer of the Lodge; Senior in the West, Junior in the South.
- Worshipful Master
- Presiding officer of a Lodge; sits in the East.
- York Rite
- Family of appendant bodies — Royal Arch, Cryptic Council, and Knights Templar.