What is Freemasonry

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most well-known fraternity in the world. But what is Freemasonry? It has been well-defined in the past as “a beautiful or profound system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols”. Although an incomplete definition, it does contain three key elements of Freemasonry.

“A system of morality” – Freemasonry endeavors to teach certain lessons to its candidates, which foster an increased obedience to God, our country, our neighbors, our families, and ourselves.
“Veiled in allegory” – An allegory is defined by Oxford’s English Dictionary as a ‘story, picture, or other piece of art that uses symbols to convey a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one’. Our allegories concern the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and the craftsmen involved in its construction.
“Illustrated by symbols” – Our Craft uses symbols, such as the various working tools of ancient stonemasons, to assist our members in remembering our teachings.

Freemasonry is composed of men bound together, not by trade, but by their desire to be fraternal brothers. Through the improvement and strengthening of the individual’s character, Masonry seeks to improve the community and to make good men better through belief in the Brotherhood of Man, the Fatherhood of God, and the Immortality of the Soul.

The requirements to be a Freemason are simple – you must be a man of good character, of at least 18 years of age, who believes in a Supreme Deity “to Whom it is not folly to pray”.