Masonic Glossary

A glossary for non-Masonic readers of this website.

Within the information on our website, non-Masonic readers may be confused by some of the terms and abbreviations we use.

The following is an attempt to explain as many of them as possible. If you are still unsure of anything please feel free to contact us through the website and we will do our best to make things clearer.

A Freemason will pass through 3 ceremonies and in each case the design of the masonic apron worn changes.

1. Initiation as an Entered Apprentice (1st degree) - plain white apron:

2. Passing to a Fellow Craft (2nd degree) - plain white apron with 2 blue rosettes:

3. Raising to a Master Mason (3rd degree) - 3 blue rosettes, blue border and tassels:

These stages are taken separately but the interval between each varies from lodge to lodge.

Sometimes they may be taken on consecutive meetings, just weeks apart or one a year.

Upon Initiation the candidate becomes a Brother and is styled "Bro".

If Installed into the Chair and made Master of the lodge he becomes a Worshipful Brother, or W Bro. The apron has 3 silver squares instead of the rosettes:

Although we have our own design incorporating the school badge:

A Past Master of the Lodge is presented with a masonic jewel which is then worn on the left breast. All Lodges have slightly different designs. Ours looks like this:

The top section bears the name and number of the Lodge and incorporates the school badge which is repeated on our masonic tie and Masters apron. The Square and a representation of Euclid's 47th Proposition are symbolic of the Worshipful Master.

Diligent service to his Lodge and Freemasonry may result in Promotion to Provincial Grand Lodge, or thereafter Grand Lodge. This is indicated by the letters that appear after his name, e.g. ProvJD or PProvSW.

A Provincial Grand Lodge apron is dark blue with gold braid:

Provincial Stewards wear a red apron:

A Grand Lodge Apron is even more elaborate and decorative:

A lodge is a very democratic place. All Freemasons have been through the same 3 ceremonies and will generally progress through all the Offices in a Lodge before reaching the Chair. However it is not compulsory to progress to be Master of a lodge.

The offices in a lodge change annually at the Installation meeting. They are as follows, beginning with -

STEWARD	(Stwd) - depending on the size of a lodge you can be a steward for a few years. You assist at the meal after the meeting.
INNER GUARD	(IG)
JUNIOR DEACON	(JD)
SENIOR DEACON	(SD)
JUNIOR WARDEN	(JW)
SENIOR WARDEN	(SW) - to be a WM for the first time you must have served as SW for 1 year beforehand.
WORSHIPFUL MASTER	(WM)

There are also non-progressive offices generally carried out by a Past Master - that is someone who has been a WM.

SECRETARY	the lodge administrator
TREASURER	looks after the lodge's funds
CHAPLAIN	conducts the prayers and reads from the VSL (Volume of Sacred Law)
CHARITY STEWARD	administers the giving to charity
ALMONER	tends to the needs of ill or needy members and their families
ORGANIST	plays the organ
TYLER	remains outside the lodge door to look after latecomers and candidates
DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES	(DC) - is the lodge Sergeant Major and stage director to ensure good order and well delivered ritual.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES	(ADC) - assists the DC

The meal after the meeting is called a Festive Board. During the meal there will be toasts made and speeches given. Most lodges also sing. We always sing The National Anthem, a song to the Master and a song to the visitors.