Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?

To many people Freemasonry is a secret society, and conspiracy theories abound about Masonic involvement in everything from big business to world governments. However, Freemasons portray their organization as a “society with secrets”, insisting that the brotherhood is purely “a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” It is perhaps these symbols and allegory that have boosted the reputation of an exclusive society, full of secrets that are not revealed to the general public.

It is certainly true that the allegory and symbols constitute one part of the “secrets” of Freemasonry. These things are “secrets”, which on Masons are privilege to, purely because the interpretation of them is from within a system specific to Freemasons (although other esoteric groups or societies may have similar interpretations). The obvious symbolism used by Freemasonry is that of architecture, with God (the ‘Supreme Being’) described as the Great Architect of the Universe. The symbols are generally revealed during each of the Masonic degrees through lectures and tracing boards, while the allegory is exemplified by Masonic ritual.

Masonic tracing boards present a pictorial representation of the emblems and symbols of each of the degrees of Freemasonry. They are used as teaching aids during lectures that follow the three Masonic degrees. A senior member of the Masonic ritual team explains the meanings and interpretation of the symbols depicted on the tracing boards – thus imparting some of the secrets of Freemasonry.

Masonic ritual communicates moral lessons in an allegorical manner. The so called secrets of freemasonry are imparted to a candidate as he passes through the degrees. These secrets are primarily about gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, and with his relationship with the Great Architect of the Universe (Supreme Being, God) and humanity as a whole. All Masonic ritual makes use of the architectural symbolism and the tools and implements of the medieval operative stonemasons are used as metaphors for teaching lessons in conduct. For example, the square and compasses are used to explain that Masons should “square their actions by the square of virtue” and that they must “circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind”. All of this is set against the allegorical story of the building of King Solomon’s Temple.

In their meetings and during Masonic rituals, Freemasons use signs, grips or handshakes (tokens) and words to demonstrate that they are genuinely a Mason, and what their current ‘level’ is. It is the secret handshake that has become infamous and perhaps the single most sought after “secret” of Freemasonry, as it is a means by which Masons can identify each other in public situations.

Another aspect which brings about accusations of Freemasonry being a secret society is the obligations a Freemason must swear as part of his initiation into the fraternity. He must solemnly promise to “conceal and never reveal” the secret signs, words, and tokens of Freemasonry. These oaths are sworn on the bible and anyone revealing these secrets risks being expelled from the Lodge and blacklisted among Masons.

By: Lewis Widdowson

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