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.
Like all good things, it 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.
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:
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
15th – Knight of the East
16th – Prince of Jerusalem
17th – Knight of the East & West
18th – Knight Rose Croix
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
Consistory
31st – Inspector Inquisitor
32nd – Master of the Royal Secret
The 33rd Degree is reserved for those members who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry and their community.
