Is a 33rd degree Mason more important than a 3rd degree Mason?
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 10 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 “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”.
