Geschichte Mark

Mark Masonry
The Mark Master Mason Degree
The Degree of Mark Master Mason is open to all Master Masons. The ceremony, in which a Brother is advanced, can be said to comprise two Degrees; the first in which he is acknowledged as a Mark Man, followed by the second where he becomes a Mark Master Mason. The Mark referred to in its title takes its name from the mark or symbol with which the stonemason identified his work and can still be found in many cathedrals and important buildings.

Similarly to Craft Freemasonry, Mark Masonry conveys moral and ethical lessons using a ritualised allegory based around the building of King Solomon’s Temple. The ceremonies of Mark Masonry require the candidate to undertake the role of a Fellowcraft, thus the degree is seen as an extension of the Fellowcraft Degree, and the philosophical lessons conveyed are appropriate to that stage in a candidate’s Masonic development.

While the Fellowcraft degree teaches a Mason what the historical wages of a Fellowcraft Mason are, the Mark Master Mason degree teaches a Mason how to earn those wages, how to prove his work is his own, and what the penalty for fraud was during the building of the Temple.

Much use is made of Holy Writ to instruct the Candidate and Brethren in the story which serves to teach that the real message is one of contemplation of human strengths and weaknesses. In chronological terms the Degree follows that of the Second Degree in Craft Masonry. There is reputedly some evidence that the Degree is 400 years old but the earliest English records stem from 1769 when it was first worked in Chapter of Friendship, Royal Arch Chapter No. 257 (formerly No. 3) in Portsmouth. However, a minute book dated 1599 of the Lodge of Edinburgh states that several speculative brethren had appended their marks after their names.

The standard member’s regalia comprises of an apron and breast jewel. The apron is of white kid with a triangular flap bordered with a two inch ribbon of light blue with crimson edges. It has rosettes of the same colour whilst Masters and Past Masters have the rosettes replaced with silver levels. The jewel of the order is a key stone appended to a ribbon which matches the apron and bears a mallet & chisel which are the tools of the Order. The key stone, which bears certain characters, forms an integral part of the ceremony.

We often hear that Freemasonry should be enjoyed and many will agree that Mark Masonry is a little more relaxed than some other Masonic orders, it is fun and that is one reason it is probably known by many as ‘the friendly degree’.

How can a Master Mason become a Mark Master Mason in Germany?
If you are interested in joining the Mark Master Masons of the District of Mark Master Masons in Germany please get in contact with the District Grand Secretary who will respond to you and help you get in contact with one of our representatives. To contact the District Grand Secretary go to ‘Contact’ on the menu on the homepage.

After contact to a representative has been established, you will be asked for proof of membership to verify your membership in a regular Masonic Lodge. After that membership has been verified you may be given an application for membership in one of the Lodges in the District.

If you already come from a Lodge of Mark Master Masons, would like to visit one of our Lodges and/or would like an application for membership please contact the District Grand Secretary.

Applications for membership to a Lodge of Mark Master Masons are proposed and balloted in the same way as in a Craft Lodge.