Rituals

 

Freemasonry uses extensively rituals, formalized texts, full of symbolism in order to give some acts more depth.
These rituals are one of the secrets of Freemasonry. Masonic Orders fight severely to the publication of these texts. in the past the Danish Grand Lodge succesfully withheld the broadcasting of a television program in which parts of the initiation ritual were reconstructed. The largest Dutch order, the Grootoosten (Grand Orient) threatened with legal procedures in order to try to have ritual texts removed from an internet site.
Since the beginning of Freemasonry there have been publications with (parts of) the used rituals. The Argus Foundation has published on this site and on a series of 'Libraries' one of the largest collections of (complete) texts of these rituals and has made these available for a broad public.

The most important form of rituals, used in Freemasonry are the Initiation rituals, with which candidates are initiated into Freemasonry or are progressed into a higher degree or order. In these texts we find the symbolical background of that degree or order, but also the secret pass words, tokens and grips.
Besides the initiation rituals there are some others in use, so called additional rituals, for instance marriage or burial ceremonies.
The texts of all these rituals is strictly regulated by the Grand Lodges or Supreme Orders; the individual lodges are not allowed to make their own adjustments.
In the Netherlands the Grand Orient has allowed two lodges to use their own rituals, one Dutch lodge works in the English Emulation ritual, all the others have to use the Dutch standard ritual.

SURVEY OF RITUALS PUBLISHED ON THIS SITE A large number of rituals is not published on this site, but on our growing collection of downloads

Masonic Orders 
Blue Degrees:

Emulation Ritual (english)

Inner Working:

M.M. Taylor's Ritual of Craft Masonry (engelstalig)

Inner Working

West end Ritual of Craft Masonry

Rite Français (french)

Inner Working

Rite Opératif de Salomon (french)

Rite Français Moderne Rétabli (french)

Schrödersches Ritual (german)

Grande Oriente d'Italia (italian)

Gran Loggia Regolare d'Italia (italian)

Rito Escoces Antiguo Y Aceptado de la Gran Logia de España (spanish)

Dutch rituals


Rituale der Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer in Deutschland  

Department of the Masters' Degree

Higher Degrees
Inner Working:

Rituals of the Historic Degrees

Worshipful Society of Freemasons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers (The Operatives) Ancient Order of Scottish Builders

Royal Order of Scotland

Holy Royal Arch

Inner Working:
Scottish Rite

Court of Honor

York Rite

Royal and Select Masters

Inner Working:

Mark Master Masons

Inner Working:

Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes, and Malta

Inner Working:

Red Cross of Constantine

Inner Working:

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

Order of the Secret Monitor

Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord

Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees

Order of Knight Masons

York Rite Sovereign College of North-America

Knights of York Cross of Honour

Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia

Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia

Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis

Rectified Scottish Rite

Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte

Masonic Order of Athelstan

August Order of Light

Order St. Thomas of Acon

Noble but Slightly Dishonourable Degree of Cork Masonry

Ye Corporation O'Squaremen

Rite of Memphis-Misraïm

Masonic and Egyptian Rite of Mer Nefer - Mysteries of Osiris

Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm - Grotto 

Order of Quetzalcoatl

Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

Loyal Order of Waterbuffaloes

Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots

Royal Order of Jesters

Royal Ballantine's Order

Tall Cedars of Lebanon

Ancient Toltec Rite

Oriental Order of Palm and Shell

Grand Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill

National Sojourners

Heroes of '76

Knights of the Palm-Tree

Social Order of the Beauceant

Acicia Fraternity

Order of DeMolay

Order of the Knights of Pythagoras

Order of the Builders

Fraternal Order of Eyes

National Order of Trailmasters

Grand Juvenile Department L.U.P.

Adoptive Rite

Order of the Eastern Star

Order of the Emperean, or Perfect Lady and Perfect Knight - Highest Degree of the Adopted Rite

Order of the Golden Chain

Order of the Golden Circle

Order of the Amaranth

Heroines of Jericho

Heroines of Templar Crusades

Royal Arch Widow

Order of the True Kindred

International Order of Job's Daughters

Order of the Rainbow for Girls

Order of Bees for Boys and Girls

Organization of Triangles

Sunbeam Fraternity

Daughters of Isis

Ancient Arabic Order of Daughters of the Sphinx

Daughters of the Nile

Daughters of Mokanna

Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America

White Shrine of Jerusalem

Rose of Seven Seals

Vereniging van Vrouwen van Vrijmetselaren (Association of Freemason's Wives)

Asociacion de Jovenes Esperanza de la Fraternidad (AJEF)

Mechanics

Junior Order of American Mechanics

United American Mechanics

Daughters of America


Non-Masonic orders:


Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League
 Achei Brith and the Shield of Abraham Advanced Order of Free Gardeners
 Ahepa Alaska Yukon Pioneers Alianza Hispano-Americana Amalgamated Association of the Iron, Steel & Tin Workers of North America Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Emplyes of America American Labor Union American Legion American Nobles American Patriotic League American Sons of Liberty of 1776 American War Mothers AMORC
Ancient Egyptian Order Mystic Oriental Sons Ancient Free Gardeners of Scotland
 Ancient and Honorable Order of the Turtle
 Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta Ancient Order of Agur
 Ancient Order of Druids Ancient Order of Gleaners Ancient Order of Hibernians Ancient Order Knights of Jerusalem Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain

Ancient Order of Pilgrims

Ancient Order of the Pyramids

Ancient Order of United Workmen

Anti-Horse Thief Association

Anti-Thief Association

Antient Arcane Antedilluvian Rite

Archers of the Egyptian Prince

Architect Guild

Arctic Brotherhood

Argonauts

Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection

Artus, Order of

Ash-Ki or Ashite Brotherhood

Ben Hur Life Association

Benefit Association of Railway Employees, Order of

Benevolent Order of Deer

Benevolent Protective Herd of Buffaloes of America

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

Brotherhood of American Yeomen

Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers

Brotherhood of Maintenance-of-Way Employees

Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America

Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen

Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employes

Brotherhood of Railway Clerks

Brotherhood of St. Paul

Carolina Negro Farmers and Educational Co-Operative Union of America

Chaldean Order of Optimists

The Chevaliers

Colonial Fraternal Order

Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Co-operative Union

Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo

Council of Malta

Court of Honor

Covenanters' Mystic Union

Cowboy Rangers, National Order of

Czecho-Slovak Protective Society

Czechoslovak Society of America

Danish Brotherhood

Daughters of Isabella

Daughters of Norway, Order of

Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, Supreme Chapter of

Delta Sigma Kappa Sorority

Deutsche Orden der Harugari

Disabled American Veterans

Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan

Dramatic Order Knights of Omar

Druggist-Ware Glass Blowers' League of the U.S.

E Clampus Vitus

Equitable Aid Union

Equitable Fraternal Union

Farmers Alliance of Texas

Federated Association of Wiredrawers

Fenian Brotherhood

Fleet Reserve Association

Foresters

Fraternal Aid Union

Fraternal Brotherhood

Fraternal Order of American Lions

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Fraternal Order of the Free

Fraternal Order of Lions

Fraternal Order of Pilgrims

Fraternal Order of Police

Fraternal Tribunes

Fraternitas Saturni

Future Farmers of America

Golden Cross Society

Golden Dawn, Order of the

Golden Seal, Order of the

Grand Army of the Republic

Grand and Noble Order of Button Busters

Grand Order of the Orient

Grand United Order of Brothers and Sisters of Love and Charity of the United States and the Grand Republic of Liberia

Grand United Order of Moses

Grand United Order of Odd-Fellows

Grand United Order of True Reformers

Great Order of the Crusaders of Purgatory

Great Southern Fraternal Union

Hebrew Order of David

Homesteaders

Honorable Order of the Blue Goose, International

I.C.S. Fraternity of the World Imperial Order of the Illustrious Deep Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World Improved Order of Heptasophs Improved Order of Lions Improved Order of Red Men Improved Order of Shepherds & Daughters of Bethlehem Independent Afro-American Relief Union Independent Order of B'nai B'rith Independent Order of the Good Samaritans and Daughters of Samaria Independent Order of Herdsmen Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Independent Order of Rechabites - Salford Unity

Independent Order of St. Luke

Independent Order of Vikings

Independent Order of Workingmen

Industrial Workers of the World

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

International Association of Railway Employees

International Association of Steam, Hot Water and Power Pipe Fitters and Helpers

International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, and Iron Ship Builders

International Hod Carriers’ Building and Common Laborers’ Union of America

International Longshoremen and Transportworkers' Association

Internationale Orde van Goede Tempelieren

Iron Molders' Union of North America

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

Kappa Sigma Pi

Knights and Daughters of Tabor see Twelve, International Order of,

Knights and Ladies of Honor

Knights and Ladies of Security

Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule

Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order

Knights of Cerberus

Knights of Columbus

Knights of Fidelity

Knights of the Golden Eagle

Knights of Honor

Knights of Jericho

Knights of Jerusalem

Knights of the Maccabees of the World

Knights of Pythias

Knights of the Royal Arch

Knights of St. Crispin

Knights of Venus

Knights of Zion

Knights of the Zoroasters, Sublime Order of the 

Know Nothing Lodges

Ladies of the American Buffaloes

Legion of Spanish War Veterans

Lions of the World

Lone Star Sovereigns

Lodge of Shepherd Consistory

Loyal Americans of the Republic

Loyal Guard

Loyal Mystic Legion of America

Loyal Orange Association

Loyal Order of the Golden Heart of the World

Loyal Order of Jonathan and David

Loyal Order of the Moose

Machinists and Blacksmiths Union

Methodist Order of Knights

Military Order of the Cootie

Military Order of the Serpent

Modern Brotherhood of America

Modern Woodmen of the World

Munchers of the Hard Tack

Mystic Legion

Mystic Order of Ravens

Mystic Workers of the World

National Benevolent Society

National Protective Legion of Waverly N.Y.

National Union

National Window Glass Workers

Native Daughters of the Golden West

Native Sons of Oregon

New England Order of Protection

Nomads of Avrudaka

Ohio State Protective Association

Order of American Farmers and Mechanics

Order of Bees

Order of the Black Cross / Order of Messiah

Order of Calanthe

Order of Columbus

Order of the Cootiette

Order of the Great Tin Spoon

Order of the Iroquois

Order of the Iron Chain

Order of the Iron Hall

Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America

Order of Lincoln

Order of the Maccabees

Ordre Martiniste

Order of Mermaids and Neptunes

Order of Owls

Order of Red Eagles

Order of the Royal Purple

Order of Scottish Clans

Order of Seven Wise Men

Order of Sleeping Car Conductors

Order of Tonti

Order of Tyrian Knights

Order of White Knights

Ordo Baphometis

Oriental Order of Humility and Merry Haymakers

Patriotic Order of Americans

Patriotic Order Sons of America

Patriotic and Protective Order of Stags of the World

Patriots of America

Patrons of Husbandry - Grangers

Patrons of Industry of North America

Pinalesic Order of Sacred Cedars

Pioneers of Alaska

Pioneers' Life Association

The Praetorians

Princes of Bagdad

Princes of Iran of the World

Princes of Syracuse

Progressive Endowment Guild of America

Progressive & Protective Order Buffaloes of America

Protected Homes of America

Provident Fraternity

Pythian Sunshine Girls

Railway Conductors of America, Order of

Resolute Sisters of Nemesis

Rising Sons and Daughters of Protection of N.A., S.A., E., A., A., and C.A.

Robert Burns Society of America

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes 

Royal Arcanum

Royal Canadian Legion

Royal Circle of Friends of the World

Royal Family of Heroes and Heroines of Friendship

Royal Highlanders

Royal Knights of King David

Royal Neighbors of America

Royal Templars of Temperance

Royal Tribe of Joseph

Scandinavian Brotherhood

Scandinavian Fraternity of America

Scandinavian Sisterhood

Security Benefit Association

Sheet Metal Workers' International Association

Sisters of the Mysterious Ten

Sleeping Car Employes, Order of

Sons and Daughters of King Solomon of South Carolina

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

Sons of Benjamin, Independent Order

Sons of Hermann, Order of

Sons of Italy, Order of

Sons of Jacob, Independent Order

Sons of Jonadab, Order of 

Sons of Norway, Order

Sons of Osiris

Sons of St. George, Order of

Sons of Temperance

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Southern Woodmen

Sovereigns of Industry

Star of Bethlehem

Sublime Order of Arabian Knights

Supreme Union of Ethiopia or the Ethiopian Union of the World

Tau Kappa Alpha

Twelve, International Order of, Knights and Daughters of Tabor

Twentieth Century Orient / Order of the Grand Orient

Uncle Sam's Eagles

Union League of America

Union of Royal Family Heroes and Heroines of Friendship of America

Union Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Amérique

United Ancient Order of Druids

United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry

United Brotherhood
        See Fenian Brotherhood

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America

United Brothers of the African Race in America

United Glass and Ceramic Workers of North America

United Commercial Travelers of America, Order of 

United Order of Base Ball Rooters of the U.S. and Canada

United Order of Ethiopia

United Order of Tents of J.R. Giddings & Jollifee Union

United Order of True Reformers

United Sons of Vulcan

United Spanish War Veterans

Universal Brotherhood of the World

Vasa Order of America

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Veterans of World War 1 of the United States of America

Wise Men of America

Woodmen of the World

A large number of rituals is not published on this site, but on our growing collection of Downloads

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