Historical Origins of the Mark Degree

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The Mark is a ceremony or degree [sometimes called the ‘friendly’ degree], conferrable today only to Master Masons and forms part of a hierarchical organization. In Craft Masonry it was quite a late innovation making its appearance during the mid-1700s.  However we do know that Operative Masons, without any kind of ceremony, were taking marks 150 years before the Mark came into use as part of that particular ceremony.

The Gloves

Masonic freemasonry men s large ceremonial white gloves

Apart from their practical uses to protect the hands from cold and injury, gloves have symbolic connotations. The old illustrations of operative masons at work do not show them wearing gloves. Their use, then, must have been mostly ceremonial, and their adoption in speculative Freemasonic ritual must be explained by their symbolism. The Italian writer Vanni considers that the origin of the symbolism lies not in their use by certain craftsmen or as protection against the cold, but rather in their military use.

The Athole Family and Freemasonry

Duke of atholle

As the more energetic of the Grand Lodges, which formed the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813 was denominated the “Ancients” and the majority of the Lodges under its supervision were known as “Atholl” Lodges, it appeals to us that an article consisting of references thereto by many of the Masonic writers may not prove uninteresting.

Did Sir Robert Moray, distinguished Freemason and first president of the Royal Society betray his King?

Sir Robert Moray

In order to learn more about this very complex man and the exciting times in which he lived, we will attempt to examine his motives and actions during the war years. The problem with looking back 400 years is separating fact from fiction which in Robert Moray’s case is no easy task. Look what happens when writers feel a need to flesh out details.