Orient of Iowa
Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry - Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry traces its origins to early 18th century France. The term “Scottish” is believed to come from those Scottish Masons who fled to France during and following the Jacobite Rebellion. Many of the earliest degrees in the Rite were believed to have come from Scotland.
The organization left France and came to America were it was perfected and grew to its current form in Charleston, South Carolina in 1801.
The Scottish Rite is often referred to as the University of Freemasonry. The twenty-nine degrees of this Rite amplify those of the Blue Lodge by offering a broader and deeper geographic, historical, philosophical and spiritual connotation drawn from the greatest teachings of antiquity.
The Scottish Rite in the U.S. is divided into two jurisdictions. The Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction is located in Washington, D.C., at the House of the Temple, one of the most impressive Masonic structures in the world. It is sovereign over all Scottish Rites in the 35 states south of the Ohio and west of the Mississippi Rivers. The other 15 states are part of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Grand Lodge of Iowa
Each state is referred to as an Orient. Individual Scottish Rites, known as Valleys, are located in cities across the state. The first three degrees of the Scottish Rite are conferred in the Symbolic, or Blue Lodge. The other degrees are organized as follows:
Degrees of Freemasonry
Lodge of Perfection
4th -Secret Master
5th - Perfect Master
6th - Confidential Secretary
7th - Provost & Judge
8th - Intendant of the Building
9th - Elu of the Nine
10th - Elu of the Fifteen
11th - Elu of the Twelve
12th - Master Architect
13th - Royal Arch of Solomon
14th - Perfect Elu
Chapter of Rose Croix
15th - Knight of the East
16th - Prince of Jerusalem
17th - Knight of the East & West
18th - Knight Rose Croix
Council of Kadosh
19th - Grand Pontiff
20th - Master of the Symbolic Lodge
21st - Noachite or Prussian Knight
22nd -; Knight of the Royal Axe
23rd - Chief of the Tabernacle
24th - Prince of the Tabernacle
25th - Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26th - Prince of Mercy
27th -; Knight Commander of the Temple
28th - Knight of the Sun
29th - Knight of St. Andrew
30th - Knight of Kadosh Consistory
The Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor is conferred by the Supreme Council upon 32° Masons who have rendered commendable service to the Rite. This rank and designation is not a degree and is not a "stepping stone" to the 33°, although a member must be a KCCH for at least 46 months before being eligible to be nominated to receive the 33°. The members who hold it are designated 32° KCCH.
The 33rd Degree is reserved for those members who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry and their community.
