Abstract
Freemasonry is a secret society with strict rules of initiation and membership, which functions under the regulation of rites. The two most influential ones are the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite. They represent authoritative bodies that outlook the initiation, membership, and relationship-building inside the society. The degrees allocated to Masons, according to both rites, depended on the level of mastery. Since both rites originated in the Middle Ages but in different locations, it is imperative to research how they evolved and what features they share. The paper seeks to claim that the distinction between the rites’ principles is based on the geographical and governing differences, which predetermined the functioning and principles dominating each rite.
Introduction
The history of Freemasonry as a secret society is characterized by a variety of ceremonies, rules, and philosophical principles that regulate the relations within the masonry. As a system of fraternity organizations, Freemasonry functions according to particular structural rules, with Lodges constituting authority units within the system (Elliott & Daniels, 2006; Stevenson, 1990). Freemasonry originated in Medieval England as a brotherhood of stonemasons who were accepted as members of the secret organization (Pike, 2016; Stevenson, 1990). Within Freemasonry, there exist several rites, which are authorities or degree systems with their particular features in terms of philosophical dogmas, ceremonial rules, and history. Two main rites are Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite, which have similarities and differences. This paper is designed to compare and contrast the two rites of Freemasonry to reveal similarities and differences influenced by the history of their development.
History of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite
The history of the origination and development of the rites of Freemasonry reaches several centuries in the past. With the emergence of Freemasonry or Masonry as a specific secret society, the initiation of distinctive rites on different territories followed. This section is aimed at exploring the similarities and differences between Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite, which functioned in different locations and used different principles while constituting the bodies of the same secret society.
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
This rite is an authoritative body that regulates the initiation into Freemasonry and the relationships between the members of the society. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, simply referred to as Scottish Rite, originated in France in the middle of the 18th century and later spread across the USA (Cameron, 2015; Harris, 2000). The rite was initially a collective of Scottish masons whose ceremonies and approach to degree allocation were strictly defined (Stevenson, 1990). In order to analyze the rite, one might use a structured approach to address particular features separately. In particular, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite will be examined from the perspective of its structure, ceremonies, and philosophical and governing principles. These issues will illustrate the historical development of the rite and further demonstrate its similarities and differences with York Rite.
Structure
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is comprised of three degrees, depending on the hierarchal level any given mason is allocated. Structurally, the rite is a particularly hierarchical body, where there is a distinction between lower and higher degrees, as well as the authority bodies with more power and subordination. In particular, the rite is comprised of the main authoritative body called Supreme Council, which is considered a decision-making entity (Bernheim, 2017). Importantly, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite’s structure and ethical principles were historically influenced by Templarism (Partner, 1982). The rite is comprised of different Lodges, defined as “assemblage of Freemasons, duly congregated, having the sacred writings, square, and compass, and a charter, or warrant of constitution, authorizing them to work” (Pike, 2016, p. 9). Each mason is awarded a degree depending on the status, including Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Mason (Stevenson, 1990). Thus, the structure of the rite is strictly defined and regulated.
Philosophical and Governing Principles
In a similar manner, the philosophical principles in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites were strictly defined and tight to the rules of governance. In particular, according to Pike (2016), the morals of the rite evolved around the values of force and secrecy. The discussion of religious and political topics was discouraged and even prohibited (Stevenson, 1990). Overall, the moral principles were strongly associated with the authority of the bodies and followed with loyalty by all masons.
Ceremonies
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is commonly recognized as a theatrical rite that actively engaged in ceremonial rituals. According to Pages (2022), one of the most important ceremonies conducted by the rite was the initiation ceremony. During the ceremony, a newly entering mason was given a degree of Apprentice with an opportunity to move through the hierarchy of degrees. Moreover, an immediate attribute of the ceremonies were costumes that were specifically crafted for the rite members (Newell, 2018). Thus, the rules and customs within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite were strictly defined by hierarchy, regulations, and subordination
York Rite
Similar to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite is also an authoritative body that was created to regulate the relations inside the society and ensure the following of the morals, principles, and rules. However, contrary to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite was originated in England. This rite was characterized by democratic principles that guided its structural divisions, philosophy, and ceremonies.
Structure
Structurally, York Rite is more diverse and has more degrees than the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. In particular, Duncan (2017) states that there are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch, among the degrees of the rite. Such a detailed differentiation between the degrees were validated by the levels of authority in the society, as well as the development of mastery of masons.
Philosophical and Governing Principles
In terms of philosophical and governing principles, York Rite was a more democratic body with a more religious outlook. According to Van Doren (2013), masonic degrees were pivotal in regulating societal relationships with the validation of decision-making by means of religious beliefs. Similar to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the philosophical basis of the York Rite was related to the history of Templars. In particular, according to Moore (2006), the members of the York Rite envisioned themselves as spiritual followers of the Knights of Templar. Moreover, the philosophy of the York Rite is based on in-depth knowledge cultivation, prioritization of mastery, and loyalty to the secret society (Stavish, 2007). Thus, although it is similar to Scottish Rite, York Rite is more democratic and guided by more advanced ethical and philosophical principles.
Ceremonies
Like Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite ceremonies, the rituals in York Rite are theatrical and guided by specifically prescribed steps and rules. They are designed according to Biblical scripture and were held for centuries. For example, the ceremony of Passing the Veil was “emblematical of the wanderings of the Israelites in the Wilderness, and of their return from Babylon to Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity” (Kalogeropoulos, 2018, p. 1). Moreover, the ceremonies of the York Rite were based on “the four elements, water, fire, earth, and air, usually found at the conclusion of the steroptics in the Entered Apprentice Degree” (Stafford, 2015, p. 25). Thus, the ceremonies of the York Rite are more based on biblical plots and natural elements than the Scottish Rite.
Materials and Method
For the purposes of this research, primary and secondary sources were searched and used to collect historical data about the rites. The method that was utilized to process the collected information was comparative analysis. It allowed for grouping the collected information into logical blocks depending on the characteristics of the rites and finding similar and different features.
Results
The results of the research demonstrated that the two rites are similar in their hierarchal structure. They share the same goal of functioning as the authoritative bodies of the secret society. The principle of moving across the hierarchy is the same, which is defined by the allocation of a particular degree to each mason. They were based on the Templar history and followed similar values of secrecy and loyalty. However, the differences include the geographical location of origin, the emphasis on in-depth knowledge and the Bible in the York Rite, and unity and force in the Scottish Rite. Moreover, the ceremonies of the York Rite were more validated by historical and biblical premises.
Discussion
The findings of the research have shown that despite being two rites of Freemasonry with the same aim of disseminating authority and regulating degrees in membership, Scottish Rite and York Rite have significant differences. Firstly, due to the distinction in the location of origin, the rites were based on different governing principles. Secondly, York Rite is more diverse and advanced in degree differentiation than the Scottish Rite, which influences the relationship between them as Scottish Rite is subordinate to York Rite. Thirdly, the York Rite’s ethical validation of ceremonies and rules is based on a richer history than the Scottish Rite.
Conclusion
In summation, the comparison of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite of Freemasonry revealed that these rites are the inevitable historically influenced authoritative bodies of the secret society. They have functioned as the regulating entities for the distribution of rules of entrance and membership. They both were developed under the influence of historical events but acquired different features due to different authority levels and geographical characteristics. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite originated in France and developed in America. It was hierarchal and had three degrees; philosophy was based on the principles of subordination, regulation, and mastery pursuit. Its ceremonies were theatrical and obligatory, often attributed to special costumes. York Rite originated in England and was a superior Rite with a more diverse system of degrees. The philosophy was based on Biblical concepts and plots with an emphasis on the history of the Templar. The ceremonies also bear significant importance in the celebration of knowledge and development of mastery.
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