Some Jargon Explained
There are lots of terms which Freemasons use which may be unfamiliar, or unkown to non-members.
CraftThis term is often used to describe the practice of Freemasonry, e.g. becoming a member of the Scottish Craft. It refers to the series of degrees practised by lodges operating under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Freemasonry originated in Scotland as lodges of stone-masons started to admit gentlemen who were not operative stonemasons. The use of the term Craft' to describe the system may be said to hark back to this learning of a skill, or craft. In Anglo-Saxon, craft meant cunning, skill, power, dexterity, etc. The word became applied to trades and occupations calling for trained skill on the part of those practicing it. The distinction between such trades and those not requiring trained workmen, so rigidly maintained, was one of the hallmarks of the Middle Ages. Freemasonry is called a Craft, partly for historical reasons, partly because, unlike so many fraternities, it requires a training (given in the form of initiation ceremonies) of those seeking its membership. |
Grand Lodge of Scotland
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Operative MasonAn operative mason is an individual involved in working as a stonemason - actively involved in fashioning and building in stone. |
Speculative FreemasonThe term 'speculative' refers to those gentlemen who joined lodges of operative masons in the seventeenth century. By association the term is also applied to present-day Freemasons (sometimes also called Masons). The terms Freemason and Mason are often used interchangeably, however sometimes for disambiguation the term Freemason is used for the Speculative lodges, and Mason used to describe Operative stonemasons. |
CowanCowan is not a word we encounter much nowadays. It originated back in the days of mediaeval stonemasons. Building in stone required training and long and patient study, to understand how a building’s structure and stability depended on geometry. This understanding was known as a ‘secret art and hidden mystery’, not to be shared by the stonemasons with their untrained and unskilled fellow workers, known as cowans. |
DegreeOne of a series of three progressive stages in becoming a Freemason. The ceremonies consist of morality 'plays' using ritual. |
Entered ApprenticeThe first of the three Degrees involved in becoming a Freemason. When a candidate is initiated he is 'Entered' an apprentice in the same way that the operative mason would become indentured to a stonemason to learn his skills. |
FellowcraftThe second of the Degrees involved in becoming a Freemason. Having undertaken further study the apprentice would advnace to become a Journeyman, or Fellow of the Craft. The term us sometimes referred to in a Speculative lodge as Fellow Craft, or Fellowcraft. |
Master MasonThe third of the Degrees involved in becoming a Freemason. While the earlier terms (Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft) originate from the operative mason, the Third Degree dates only from the Eighteenth Century, and is wholly speculative. |
Harmony
Bear in mind that Harmony after a Lodge Meeting is a continuation of the Meeting so although a relaxed and social atmosphere is appropriate, and indeed desirable, loud, coarse or intemperate behaviour is unacceptable. |