What is a rite as in the Scottish Rite and York Rite mentioned earlier (question 4)?
The basis of all Freemasonry is the Craft system of three Degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason), and anyone who has taken these three is a full-fledged Mason. However in addition to the three Craft Degrees, there are several other series of Degrees. The two most widely practiced of these systems of additional Degrees are those of the Scottish Rite and the York Rite. Rite in this sense is a particular set form of ceremonial words and actions. In the United States, in addition to the three Craft Degrees, the International Order of Co-Freemasonry works such Scottish Rite Degrees as Rose-Croix and Knights Kadosh and such York Rite Degrees as Mark, Royal Ark Mariner, and Holy Royal Arch. Elsewhere in the world, Le Droit Humain works other Degrees of those Rites.
