Is a 33° freemason more important than a 3° freemason?
No. There are three degrees in Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. Some jurisdictions recognize a fourth degree as completing the third degree, while the Swedish Rite confers ten degrees. Individual lodges elect their “Master” for a one or two year term, individual Grand Lodges elect their “Grand Master” for a similar term of office, but these are not degrees. What are called appendant or concordant bodies confer additional or “side” degrees that have no bearing on or authority over regular Freemasonry. [With the exception of a few jurisdictions such as the Grand East of the Netherlands and the National Grand Lodge of Sweden.] The most important concept to note is that freemasons meet as equals, “on the level”. [RETURN TO INDEX] 2. What does A.F. & A.M. mean? Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry Although the words represent historical ties, they are no indication of recognition or ritual. The definitions noted are not absolute in that several grand jurisdictions
