Who We Are – The Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons
Who We Are – The Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons
The Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons represents a modern, open, and values-based Freemasonry for the 21st century. We see ourselves as an international community of free men committed to the ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity, tolerance, and truth – regardless of origin, culture, or religious background.
The Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons
Our work is rooted in the Ancient Charges of Freemasonry, as they have been passed down for centuries, while also drawing inspiration from the living traditions of Anglo-American Grand Lodges – especially the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. This union of deep roots and forward vision gives our community strength, vitality, and openness to those seeking meaning, spiritual growth, and genuine fellowship.
We promote personal development through symbolic rituals, intellectual exchange, and regular engagement with ethical questions. It is not about dogma or rigid rules, but about a shared pursuit of inner maturity, character formation, and responsible action in the world.
The Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons offers not only in-person lodge work but also a modern online lodge, where interested men can gain initial insights, meet like-minded individuals, and explore the teachings of Freemasonry – free of charge, independent of location, in a confidential and protected space.
Who are we?
We are brothers from many nations, with different paths and worldviews, united under the light of Freemasonry – bound by our pursuit of humanity, wisdom, and inner truth.
The door is open. The journey begins with you.
The Grand Lodge of New York
Origin and History of One of the World’s Most Influential Masonic Grand Lodges
The Grand Lodge of the State of New York is one of the oldest and most influential Masonic Grand Lodges in the world. Its history is closely intertwined with the development of Freemasonry on the North American continent and reflects the cultural diversity, dynamism, and spirit of liberty that shape Masonic life in the United States.
The Beginnings – Freemasonry in Colonial America
As early as the first half of the 18th century—well before the Declaration of Independence—lodges existed in the Province of New York under the jurisdictions of the two rival Grand Lodges of England: the Premier Grand Lodge (the “Moderns”) and the Ancient Grand Lodge of England (the “Antients”).
These early lodges were typically founded by British immigrants, military officers, or merchants. Freemasonry at that time was not only a place of philosophical reflection, but also a network for mutual understanding, political discourse, and civic organization in a rapidly changing colonial society.
The Founding of the Grand Lodge – 1781
On December 16, 1781, several existing lodges in New York established the Grand Lodge of the State of New York as an independent and sovereign Grand Lodge. This occurred during the American Revolutionary War—a clear signal that Freemasonry in the new republic was determined to chart its own course, free from European control.
One of its most notable early Grand Masters was Robert R. Livingston, a statesman considered among the Founding Fathers of the United States. He served as Grand Master of New York from 1784 to 1800, was a member of the committee that drafted the U.S. Constitution, and is famously known for administering the oath of office to George Washington as the first President.
Growth and Global Significance
Throughout the 19th century, the Grand Lodge of New York grew to become one of the largest and most active Masonic bodies in the world. It played a pivotal role in shaping the Anglo-American style of Freemasonry, characterized by its focus on three symbolic degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason) and its emphasis on tolerance, religious freedom, and personal responsibility.
During the waves of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, New York became a cultural melting pot—and the Grand Lodge embraced this diversity. Lodges were founded in many languages: German, Italian, French, Polish, Spanish, and more. To this day, dozens of culturally rooted lodges operate under its jurisdiction, all united by the same Masonic ideals.
Today – A Bridge Between Tradition and the Present
Today, the Grand Lodge of New York counts over 35,000 members in more than 500 lodges, and is internationally recognized. It maintains fraternal relations with Grand Lodges in more than 100 countries and is actively involved in charitable, social, and educational initiatives.
The Grand Lodge sees itself as a guardian of a humanistic tradition that began in the 18th century—and at the same time, as a bridge to the future: open to seekers, tolerant in thought, and committed in brotherhood.
The Entered Apprentice Degree – The First Step into the Light
The Entered Apprentice Degree marks the solemn beginning of a Freemason’s journey. In a powerful and symbolic ceremony, the candidate is introduced to an entirely new spiritual world. The preparation for this rite is marked by a state of transition: the candidate is “neither naked nor clothed, neither barefoot nor shod,” with the left breast and left knee exposed, the eyes blindfolded, and a cable tow around the neck – all symbols of his willingness to leave behind the profane and step onto a path of inner purification.
In the preparation room, it is explained to him that Freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial, selfish, or godless. It is founded upon divine law and invites men of all faiths—provided they are ready to embark on a journey of ethical development with humility and openness.
During the initiation, the candidate takes a solemn obligation and is entrusted with signs, words, and grips that allow him to be recognized as an Entered Apprentice. He receives his first working tools: the twenty-four-inch gauge (a symbol of time management) and the common gavel (a symbol of earnest effort). Through symbolic instruction, the candidate learns that the purpose of the Entered Apprentice Degree is to know oneself, to bring order to one’s life, and to cultivate the will for moral self-improvement.
The Fellow Craft Degree – Knowledge Through Work
After successfully completing the examination in the Entered Apprentice Degree, the Brother is passed to the Fellow Craft Degree – a stage that builds upon the foundations laid and deepens the Mason's work in a spiritual sense.
The external preparation resembles that of the First Degree, yet now the right side of the body is exposed, and the cable tow is wrapped twice around the right arm – a symbolic reflection of the path already taken.
The Fellow Craft Degree is marked by the desire for more Light in Masonry – a striving for deeper understanding, greater responsibility, and spiritual maturity. In its symbolic meaning, the Fellow Craft no longer stands at the beginning but is now actively engaged in the labor of self-cultivation: he has learned to discipline his strengths and is called to apply them meaningfully in shaping the world.
The working tools entrusted to him – the plumb, the square, and the level – are instruments symbolizing precision, moral uprightness, and the balance of proportion. He is also instructed in the meaning of the three precious jewels, which represent the creative powers of the mind, the soul, and the heart.
The charge given in the Fellow Craft Degree emphasizes the expectation of higher integrity and morally grounded conduct. The Fellow Craft is not to be distinguished merely by knowledge, but by the wise, just, and benevolent application of that knowledge in daily life.
The Master Mason Degree – The Heart of Symbolic Freemasonry
With the Master Mason Degree, the Freemason reaches the third and highest degree of what is known as “Blue Lodge” or symbolic Freemasonry. This degree not only marks the completion of symbolic temple work but also opens the door to a deeper dimension of intellectual and spiritual insight. The ceremony is rich in symbolism, solemn in tone, and reveals the central teaching of Freemasonry: the immortality of the soul.
The Initiation – A Drama of Spiritual Depth
The initiation into the Master Mason Degree begins, as with the previous degrees, with a symbolic examination: the candidate affirms his free will, is questioned about his preparedness and qualifications, and confirms that he has acquired the necessary knowledge of the preceding degrees.
He is then—still unaware of what lies ahead—led into the lodge, where the temple lies in profound silence. For in this degree, there is no place for levity or disruption. What unfolds before the candidate, and in which he actively participates, is a symbolic drama centered on the death of the legendary builder Hiram Abiff.
Hiram was the architect of King Solomon’s Temple, known for his wisdom, skill, and unwavering loyalty. In the ritual, the candidate is invited to take on the role of Hiram himself—and thus experiences what it means to die for a secret that must not be revealed.
The Central Teaching – Death as a Passage
The symbolic death of Hiram in the Master Mason Degree does not signify an end, but a transition. His refusal to disclose the secrets of a Master Mason, even under threat of death, becomes the highest expression of moral integrity. In the ritual, Hiram’s body is raised from the grave by the “true grip of a Master Mason,” known as the Lion’s Paw—a powerful symbol of rebirth and the continuation of life in spirit.
Signs, Grips, and the Word
As in the previous degrees, the newly raised Master is entrusted with specific signs, tokens, and words by which he may be recognized. The most significant symbolic act is the grip of the Lion’s Paw, transmitted through the Five Points of Fellowship, signifying deep fraternal connection.
The Master’s Word is conveyed in a hushed voice—a gesture of intimacy, confidentiality, and the transmission of inner wisdom.
The Tools and Their Meaning
The Master is symbolically entrusted with all the tools of Masonry—but particular emphasis is placed on the trowel. This tool unites stones into a cohesive whole, and symbolically represents the cement of brotherly love: the Master is not only called to help build the Temple of Humanity but also to unite people in harmony—as a bearer of concord.
The Master Mason Degree – A Commitment to a Higher Life
The completion of this degree is not a mere honor or title. The Brother is now entrusted with the full responsibility of Freemasonry:
To be a man among men
A son, father, citizen, and brother who upholds truth, honor, and integrity
A bearer of Masonic wisdom, striving to bring out the best in himself—and to share it with others.
The Master Mason Degree within the Universal Grand Lodge is the spiritual culmination of symbolic Freemasonry. It unites a profound ritual with the deepest human questions—about meaning, mortality, and immortality—and the ethical responsibility that flows from true insight.
He who passes through this degree does not leave the temple unchanged: he emerges not as one who fears death, but as one who seeks to shape life with wisdom.
FAQ – Rituals and Customs of the Universal Grand Lodge of Freemasons
🔹 What is the purpose of Masonic rituals?
The rituals symbolically represent inner processes of personal development. They guide the seeker through stages of self-awareness, character formation, and moral growth. Each degree conveys essential ethical and spiritual principles through symbolism, action, and personal commitment.
🔹 What happens during the Entered Apprentice initiation?
The candidate is prepared in the so-called preparation room. He is neither fully clothed nor naked, blindfolded, and wears a cable tow—symbols of ignorance and the willingness to be guided. After symbolic questions and tests, he is led into the lodge and initiated into the Entered Apprentice Degree through ritual.
🔹 What do the signs, words, and grips mean?
These elements serve as ritual means of recognition and symbolize trust, connection, and belonging to a specific degree. They are given to the candidate after his obligation and may only be shared in confidence among Brothers.
🔹 What working tools does a Freemason receive – and what do they represent?
Entered Apprentice: Twenty-four-inch gauge (time management), common gavel (effort and discipline)
Fellow Craft: Plumb, square, level (truth, precision, discernment)
Master Mason: Trowel (harmony and unity among humankind)
🔹 What happens in the Fellow Craft Degree?
The Brother enters a new level of insight, symbolized by the search for "more light." The ceremony includes questioning, testing, a renewed promise of self-work, and the conferral of new tools and symbolic jewels representing the powers of mind, soul, and heart.
🔹 What is the meaning of the Master Mason Degree?
This degree is the heart of symbolic Freemasonry. It centers on a dramatic allegory of the death and resurrection of the legendary builder Hiram Abiff—a parable of loyalty, sacrifice, and the immortality of the soul. The raising takes place in solemn silence and reverence.
🔹 Why does the candidate wear a blindfold during initiation?
The blindfold represents a state of spiritual darkness from which the candidate is to be liberated through light and insight. Its removal symbolizes the first conscious perception of a new path.
🔹 What is the “Master’s Word” and how is it transmitted?
The Master’s Word symbolizes hidden wisdom. It is passed to the newly raised Master through the grip of the Lion’s Paw and the Five Points of Fellowship—a profound expression of closeness and confidentiality.
🔹 Are there specific dress codes during ritual work?
Yes. During lodge work, Brothers wear an apron, white gloves, and—at higher degrees—specific regalia. During initiation, the candidate is symbolically “half and half” dressed to reflect his transition from the profane world to that of the seeker.
🔹 What does the “Chain of Brotherhood” mean?
At the close of many lodge meetings, all Brothers join hands to form a circle—the Chain of Brotherhood. It symbolizes unity, continuity, and the worldwide bond of Freemasonry.
🔹 Are the rituals religious?
The rituals are spiritual but not denominational. They require belief in a “Supreme Being” but do not define this entity. Freemasonry is open to sincere men of all religions, cultures, and backgrounds.
If you have further questions or wish to begin your own journey into Freemasonry, the Universal Grand Lodge offers a modern first step: our free and secure Online Lodge – open to seekers from around the world.