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Masonic ritual is the scripted words and actions that are spoken or performed during the degree work in a Masonic lodge. Masonic symbolism is that which is used to illustrate the principles which Freemasonry espouses. Masonic ritual has appeared in a number of contexts within literature (for example: "The Man Who Would Be King", by Rudyard Kipling, and War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy).
Common to all of Freemasonry is the three grade system of Craft or Blue Lodge freemasonry, whose allegory is centred on the building of the Temple of Solomon, and the story of the chief architect, Hiram Abiff. Pietre-Stones Kent Henderson, The Legend of Hiram Abif, retrieved 12th Jan 2013 Further degrees have different underlying allegories, often linked to the transmission of the story of Hiram. Participation in these is optional, and usually entails joining a separate Masonic bodies. The type and availability of the Higher Degrees also depends on the Masonic jurisdiction of the Craft lodge that first initiated the mason.Fred L. Pick, The Pocket History of Freemasonry, pp. 268–280.
Broadly stated, two of the most common Masonic rites, which are groupings of rituals are the Scottish Rite and the York Rite.
In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is referred to in Masonic ritual by the titles of the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometrician or similar, to make clear that the reference is generic, and not tied to a particular religion's conception of God.
Some lodges make use of : painted or printed illustrations depicting the various symbolic of Freemasonry. They can be used as teaching aids during the lectures that follow each of the three degrees, when an experienced member explains the various concepts of Freemasonry to new members.
Solomon's Temple is a central symbol of Freemasonry which holds that the first three Grand Masters were King Solomon, King Hiram I of Tyre, and craftsman/architect who built the temple. Masonic initiation rites include the reenactment of a scene set on the Temple Mount while it was under construction. Every Masonic lodge, therefore, is symbolically the Temple for the duration of the degree and possesses ritual objects representing the architecture of the Temple. These may either be built into the hall or be portable. Among the most prominent are replicas of the pillars Boaz and Jachin through which every initiate has to pass.James Stevens Curl, The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry, Overlook Press, New York, 1991, 56–62.
Speaking in 1877 at the St. George Temple, Brigham Young related LDS temple worship to the story of Hiram Abiff and Solomon's Temple, though he believed the ceremony had not been practiced in its fullness."It is true that Solomon built a temple for the purpose of giving endowments, but from what we can learn of the history of that time they gave very few if any endowments, and one of the high priests Hiram was murdered by wicked and corrupt men, who had already begun to apostatize, because he would not reveal those things appertaining to the priesthood that were forbidden him to reveal until he came to the proper place." Brigham Young (January 1, 1877), "Remarks by President Brigham Young". Journal of Discourses Vol. 18, page 303. Also quoted in "Temple and Salvation for the Dead", Discourses of Brigham Young, compiled by John A. Widtsoe, Deseret Book Company, 1977
/ref> The secrets are not an end in themselves, but rather a reflection of history, values, and fraternity.
Over the years, a variety of exposures have been published which purport to represent Masonic ritual, including Masonry Dissected by Samuel Prichard in 1730, Three Distinct Knocks in 1760, Jachin and Boaz in 1762, and Morgan's Exposure of Freemasonry in 1826.
Nonetheless there is a perception of more extensive secrecy among non-Freemasons. This perception of secrecy has led to the creation of many Masonic conspiracy theories.
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