The Thirty Three Degrees of the A&ASR
The Supreme Council for Scotland expressly recognises the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland over the Three Symbolic Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, and, in so far as claimed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland the Degree of Mark Master Mason and the Ceremony of Installed Master. The Supreme Council for Scotland admit none to the Fourth and succeeding Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite unless previously raised Master Mason in a regularly constituted Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, or of a Grand Lodge of Craft Masonry recognised by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
1° - Entered Apprentice
1° - Entered Apprentice - This degree is considered to be identical to the First Degree in Craft Masonry controlled by the Grand Lodge of Scotland
2° - Fellow of the Craft
2° - Fellowcraft - This degree is considered to be identical to the Second Degree in Craft Masonry controlled by the Grand Lodge of Scotland
3° - Master Mason
3° - Master Mason -This degree is considered to be identical to the Third Degree in Craft Masonry controlled by the Grand Lodge of Scotland
4° - Secret Master
4° - Duty, reflection and study are the gateway to opportunity. As such, one honors those relationships to God, family, country and Masonry.
The jewel of this degree is an ivory key with the letter "Z" on the wards. The duties are secrecy, obedience and fidelity.
5° - Perfect Master
5° - The degree teaches Masonic honor; that honesty and trustworthiness is the cornerstone of the foundation of such. This virtue should be in all of our undertakings with mankind.
The jewel is represented by a compass open on a segment of a circle, to an angle of sixty degrees. The duties are honesty, sincerity, good faith and industry.
6° - Intimate Secretary
6° - In this degree one should expand their knowledge of duty, charity and toleration. We are instructed to reshape ourselves and our thinking into charity, self-control and success, i.e. to be a peacemaker. The duties are zeal, faithfulness, benevolence and to act the peacemaker.
7° - Intimate Secretary
7° - Provost and Judge also called Irish Master : In this degree we learn that impartial justice protects person, property, happiness and reputation.
We are instructed to judge with patience and impartially.
The jewel is a golden key. The duty is justice.
8° - Intendant of the Building
8° - Intendant of the Building or Master in Israel : We should strive for perfection by using the great principles of God's inherent love, charity, morality and kindness.
The jewel of this Degree is a gold triangle with the same three letters. The duties are benevolence and charity.
9° - Eli of the Nine
9° - Elu of the Nine (Elected Knight of the Nine) Truth, candor and generosity. The foundation of Scottish Rite Masonry is most reflected in this degree. We should use these truths to shape our lives and conduct.
The apron of the 9th Degree is white, lined with black and sprinkled with blood, with an arm holding a dagger.
The jewel of this degree is a dagger, hilt of gold and blade of silver. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution.
10° - Eli of the Fifteen
10° - Elu of the Fifteen (Illustrious Elect of the Fifteen) This degree teaches us to be tolerant and respect the opinions of others. Freedoms of political and spiritual ideologies should be shared by all.
The jewel of this degree is a dagger as in the 9° Degree - the handle of ivory and the blade of silver. The duties are enlightenment of soul and mind, vigilance, tolerance and being on guard for fanaticism and persecution. The traditional history is a continuation of that of the preceding degree.The apron is white, lined and bordered with black. In the middle is represented the town of Jerusalem. On the three gates in the east, south, and west, are exposed the heads of three felons.
11° - Eli of the Twelve
11° - Elu of the Twelve (Sublime Knight Elect of the Twelve) This degree teaches sympathy. We should be compassionate to our brother Masons and to all mankind as well.
The jewel is a dagger suspended from a black cordon inscribed with the words "Vincere aut Mori" the pledge "that you will rather die than betray the cause of the people, or be overcome through your own fear or fault". The duties are to be earnest, true, reliable and a champion of the people.
12° - Master Architect
12 - The 12° Master Architect teaches us faith in morality, virtue and God. The motto of this degree is "Life is what each man makes of it; the optimist turns a trial into a blessing".
The jewel is a heptagonal medal of gold. The duty is to seek wisdom through knowledge.
13° - Arch of Solomon
13° - Royal Arch of Solomon or Knight of the Ninth Arch teaches that Liberty is in our mind and hearts and motivated by duty and honor.
The jewel comprises a circular medal of gold. The duties are to seek knowledge and to be motivated by duty and honour.
14° - Perfect Elu
14° - Perfect Elu (Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason) This degree teaches us to reflect and scrutinize ourselves. We should strive to be true to ourselves and our God.
The duties are to assist, encourage and defend the brethren; to protect the oppressed and relieve want and distress; to enlighten the people and serve the common good. The Motto of this degree is VIRTUS JUNXIT MORS NON SEPARABIT "whom virtue unites death shall not separate"
15° - Knight of the East
15° -
Knight of the East, of the Sword, or of the Eagle Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement are the lessons of this degree.
The jewel is three golden concentric triangles encompassing two crossed swords. The duty is to rebuild the Masonic Temple of liberty, equality and fraternity in the souls of men.
16° - Prince of Jerusalem
16° - Knight of the East, of the Sword, or of the Eagle Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement are the lessons of this degree.
The jewel is three golden concentric triangles encompassing two crossed swords. The duty is to rebuild the Masonic Temple of liberty, equality and fraternity in the souls of men.
17° - Knight of the East and West
17° - Knight of the East & West The wisdom of this degree is that loyalty to God is man's primary allegiance and that temporal governments not founded upon God and His righteousness will inevitably fall.
The jewel is a heptagon of half silver and half gold, with crossed swords on a balance on the obverse and a lamb on the Book of Seven Seals on the reverse. The jewel is hung from a double order - one black and one white, representing good versus evil. A gold coronet is also presented. The duties are to work, reflect and pray; to hope, trust and believe; to teach the truths that are hidden in allegory and concealed by the symbols of Freemasonry.
18° - Knight Rose Croix
18° - This degree emphasizes that life and its strength come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and the cross is a sacred symbol of antiquity in many cultures. One is also taught to be tolerant of other's errors and faults.
The original Constitutions of the Rite assign the Degrees 4 to 14 inclusive to a Lodge of Perfection or Fourteenth Degree, the Degrees 15 and 16 to a Council of Princes of Jerusalem or Sixteenth Degree, and the Degrees 17 and 18 to a Sovereign Chapter of Princes Rose Croix or Eighteenth Degree. Under the Supreme Council for Scotland the Degrees 4 to 18 inclusive are assigned to its Sovereign Chapters of the Eighteenth Degree in Scotland and overseas. Under them the Degrees 4 to 17 inclusive are conferred in short Lecture form; but the Eighteenth degree is worked in full.
19° - Grand Pontiff
19° - We learn from the past and how it affects the present and the influence we live in the future in this degree. We as mortals strive to endure, produce and improve the world as it surrounds us.
The jewel is a gold parallelogram with a Greek Alpha on one side and an Omega on the other. The duties are to be content to labor for the future; to serve the cause of truth with patience and industry; and to destroy error, falsehood and intolerance with truth, honesty, honour and charity.
20° - Master of the Symbolic Lodge
20° - Master of the Symbolic Lodge This degree demonstrates liberty, fraternity and equality. These truths teach morals, religious and philosophical understandings. This degree helps one to comprehend Deity, the forces of nature and good and evil.
The jewel is made of gold with the same three concentric triangles. The duties are to dispense light and knowledge and to practice Masonic virtues.
21° - Prussian Knight
21° - Noachite, or Prussian Knight The lessons to be learned from this degree are that arrogance, defamation and cowardice are unworthy attributes of a Mason; and that humility, modesty and courtesy are the true virtues of men and Masons.
The jewel can be described as a point-up triangle, with an arrow, point downward, an arm holding a sword and the motto "Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum". The duties are humility, modesty, trust in God and to be steadfast and courageous in the face of adversity.
22° - Knight Royal Axe
22° - Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus This degree emphasizes work ethics. By doing good work we improve character and become better citizens.
The jewel is an axe and handle of gold. On the top of the handle are the initials of Noah and Solomon. In the middle of the handle are the initials of Libanus and Tsidun. On the blade are the initials of Adoniram, Cyrus, Darius, Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and Ezra on one side and Shem, Kham, Yapheth, Moses, Ahaliab and Betselal on the other. The duties are to respect labor for its own sake and to do work.
23° - Chief of the Tabernacle
23° - Chief of the Tabernacle We learn in this degree that the man who forgets his duty to God, family, country and himself will be in danger of moral and spiritual destruction by thoughts and unworthy ambition.
The jewel worn is a small silver censer, or ornamented cup, held by a handle in the shape of an open hand. The duties are to be devoted to the service of God; to constantly endeavor to promote the welfare of man; to act with proper subordination to your superiors.
24° - Prince of the Tabernacle
24° - Prince of the Tabernacle A Mason must show evidence of compassion, piety and justice in this degree. After initiation he may "manifest faithfully the social virtues in order to receive the rewards", to serve humanity through our brotherhood.
The jewel worn is the Hebrew letter ALEPH, suspended from a violet ribbon. The duties are to labor incessantly for the glory of God, the honor of your country and the happiness of your brethren.
25° - King of the Brazen Serpent
25° - Knight of the Brazen Serpent This degree attempts to explain the conceptualities of celestial purity and the eternal soul of man. The apprentice is driven to look within his faith, life and God to get a clear look at his inner self.
The jewel is a gold tau cross (crux ansata) with a serpent entwined around it and the Hebrew words HLThI (he has suffered or been wounded) and NChShThN (the Brazen Serpent) on it. The duty is to fulfill your destiny and to re-create yourself by reformation, repentance and enlarging your knowledge.
26° - Prince of Mercy
26° - Prince of Mercy, or Scottish Trinitarian In this degree we explore for "the rewards of the trinity of Gods attributes - wisdom or intelligence, force or strength, harmony or beauty".
The jewel is gold and is the same triangle, suspended by a purple ribbon. The duties are to practice forgiveness and mercy; tolerance; to be devoted to the teaching of the principles of Masonry.
27° - Knight Commander of the Temple
27° - Knight Commander of the Temple This degree teaches the apprentice to scorn selfishness and to uphold the knightly virtues of charity, truth and honor. We should always strive to assist the poor, helpless and infirm.
The jewel is the Teutonic Cross shown on the apron. The duties are to be a lover of wisdom and to be faithful to your promises made within Masonry.
28° - Prince Adept
28° - Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept We learn in this degree that our love for God manifests itself in our love for truth, justice and nobility of soul.
The jewel is a gold five-pointed star. The duties are to be devoted to truth, honour, loyalty, justice and humanity.
29° - Scottish Knight of St Andrew
29° - Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew The virtues taught in this degree are love of God, loyalty to superiors, faithful adherence to promise and active resistance to unfair judgment.
The jewel is a gold St. Andrew's cross ("X"), surmounted with a knight's helmet with a thistle of gold between the arms at the bottom. In the center of the cross is a Hebrew YOD and on its points, clockwise from bottom, the Hebrew letters N M I N. The duties are to reverence and obey God; to serve the truth; to protect virtue and innocence; to defend the people against tyranny.
30° - Knight of Kadosh
30° - Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White & Black Eagle The lesson of this degree is to be true to ourselves, to stand for what is right and to be just in our lives today with a belief in God, country and oneself.
The above Degrees with the Degrees of 31 and 32 are assigned by the original Constitutions of the Rite to a Grand Consistory of the Thirty Second Degree. Under the Supreme Council for Scotland the Degrees 19 to 30 inclusive are assigned to its Sovereign Councils (formerly styled Consistories) of the Thirtieth Degree in Scotland and overseas. Under them the Degrees 19 to 29 inclusive are conferred in short lecture form only; but the Thirtieth Degree is worked in full. No Candidate can receive any of the Degrees 19 to 30 inclusive until he has been approved for the Thirtieth Degree by the Supreme Council.
31° - Inspector Inquisitor
31° - Inspector Inquisitor In this degree the apprentice learns prayerful self-examination. The mistakes today should not be committed tomorrow. Simply, the daily look at ones self to learn to live with the future.
Under the Supreme Council for Scotland the Thirty-First Degree, when worked in full, is conferred in a body known as a Sovereign Tribunal. There is only one standing Sovereign Tribunal, situated in Scotland and under the direct control of the Supreme Council.
Occasional Sovereign Tribunals may, subject to the strict observance of the conditions under which they are permitted by the Supreme Council, be assembled in a Province overseas by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33˚ in charge of the Province in order to confer these Degrees in full overseas, but only if he has suitable accommodation in his Province. This Degree cannot be conferred on anyone until he has been elected to the Degree by the Supreme Council.
32° - Master of the Royal Secret
32° - Master of the Royal Secret The lessons taught in this degree are that genuine brotherhood requires mutual regard, opinion, esteem and charity. We always look for the good in all and make allowances for other's shortcomings. We trust the Supreme Architect to lead us to friendship, morality and brotherly love.
Under the Supreme Council for Scotland the Thirty-second Degree, when worked in full, is conferred in a body known as a Sovereign Consistory. There is only one standing Grand Consistory, situated in Scotland and under the direct control of the Supreme Council.
Occasional Grand Consistories may, subject to the strict observance of the conditions under which they are permitted by the Supreme Council, be assembled in a Province overseas by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33˚ in charge of the Province in order to confer these Degrees in full overseas, but only if he has suitable accommodation in his Province. Neither Degree can be conferred on anyone until he has been elected to the Degree by the Supreme Council.
33° - Inspector General
All members of this Degree are elected to it by the Supreme Council. Numbers are restricted to what is necessary to maintain the Office-bearers of the Supreme Council at their full compliment of nine; to reward officials of the Supreme Council discharging such duties as Grand Secretary General or Grand Treasurer of the Supreme Council, when the duties of such offices cannot be undertaken by an Office-bearer of the Supreme Council; and to ensure that in each of its Provinces overseas the Supreme Council has a resident Deputy holding the highest Degree of the Rite. The Degree is only worked in Scotland by Office-bearers of the Supreme Council, assisted if necessary by the officials of the Supreme Council holding the Degree.
Under its Scottish Constitution the Rite throughout is regarded as a Christian Rite and no one may receive the next Degree until he holds all the Degrees of the Rite which precede it.