The three degrees of Freemasonry are Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. If you are new to Masonic terminology, these names provide a useful starting point. They refer to the foundational stages of Craft or Symbolic Masonry, often called Blue Lodge Masonry in North American usage. Understanding this foundation helps make sense of educational resources, conversations and the names used for Masonic jewelry. 1, 2
This introduction is for curious readers, family members and shoppers who want clearer context. It focuses on public information rather than ritual details. If you are considering membership, or need guidance about your own lodge’s customs, speak with the relevant lodge or Grand Lodge. A general article can explain terminology, but it cannot replace local guidance.
What is a Masonic degree?
For a newcomer, it is useful to think of a degree as a stage in Masonic learning, marked by a ceremony and associated lessons. The United Grand Lodge of England describes a progression through three degrees, with members becoming Entered Apprentices, Fellowcraft Freemasons and then Master Masons. 1
When reading about that progression, avoid treating the names as decorative labels. They have a specific context within the fraternity. A retailer may use them to describe a ring’s intended symbolism, but buying an item does not confer a degree or establish membership.
This distinction is particularly helpful for gift buyers. You do not need to understand every part of Freemasonry to choose thoughtfully, but you should confirm the recipient’s connection to the design rather than relying on a product title alone.
Entered Apprentice: the first degree
Entered Apprentice is the first of the three foundational degrees. In UGLE’s public explanation, it introduces a lesson about equality and responsibility toward those less fortunate. 1
For someone reading about Freemasonry for the first time, this is a helpful place to pause. The degree sequence is not simply a collection of dramatic names. It introduces ideas that members are encouraged to consider in their lives. You can ask what a lesson invites someone to reflect on without trying to reproduce a ceremony or reduce it to a single slogan.
If a friend or relative has recently joined, let their own experience guide the conversation. Ask what they are comfortable sharing and how they would like to mark the occasion. Thoughtful interest is more valuable than assuming a particular purchase is expected.
Fellowcraft: the second degree
Fellowcraft is the second degree. UGLE associates it with education and self-development. 1 That description gives a newcomer a clear public reference point while leaving room for the member’s personal understanding.
The language can vary slightly between publications, and you may encounter ‘Fellow Craft’ as two words. When searching, focus on the context and the source rather than assuming a spelling difference describes an entirely different organization.
A useful reading habit is to keep a short list of unfamiliar terms and look them up in a Grand Lodge glossary or other official educational resource. This is more reliable than building a complete picture from jewelry labels, social media captions or an unsourced chart.
Master Mason: the third degree
Master Mason is the third foundational degree. UGLE describes its public lesson in terms of living wisely and leaving a worthwhile memory. Its glossary identifies a Master Mason as someone who has completed the three basic ceremonies. 1, 3
For readers exploring Master Mason rings, this explains why the term is meaningful. It refers to a Masonic milestone, not simply a ring shape or a particular color. A blue face, a gold-tone finish or a broad signet shape is a design choice; none of those features independently proves the wearer’s degree.
If you are buying a ring to mark this stage, ask which emblem and style the recipient prefers. Some people want an understated reminder, while others enjoy a more prominent design. Respecting that preference makes the gift more personal.
Where does the Blue Lodge fit?
The Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction identifies the Symbolic or Blue Lodge with Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. 2 That is the important relationship to remember when you encounter phrases such as ‘Blue Lodge ring’ or ‘Master Mason Masonic ring.’
A practical way to read a product name is to separate its parts. One part may describe the intended Masonic association, another the object itself, and another the appearance. ‘Master Mason,’ ‘ring’ and ‘gold-tone signet,’ for example, answer different questions. Keeping those categories distinct makes a listing easier to evaluate.
Terminology and customs are not identical everywhere. Readers in the USA, Canada and the UK should consult the appropriate local organization for questions about practice, eligibility or recognized bodies. A general shopping guide should not present one jurisdiction’s arrangements as a worldwide rule.
How does the Scottish Rite relate to the first three degrees?
The Scottish Rite provides additional study beyond the foundational degrees. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction describes its degrees from 4° through 32° as expanding on the lessons of the Symbolic Lodge. The Southern Jurisdiction likewise emphasizes the importance of Master Mason while explaining that further degrees develop those earlier teachings. 2, 4
For a beginner, the key is to avoid imagining every degree number as a universal workplace ranking. Different bodies have their own structures and requirements. A number on a piece of jewelry should be understood in its particular context rather than treated as a general measure of a person’s standing.
If you are drawn to a Scottish Rite design, confirm the intended emblem and the wearer’s affiliation. Do the same for any other specialized Masonic jewelry. Choosing an appropriate design matters more than selecting the highest number you can find.
Three questions to ask before choosing a degree-related ring
First, what does the design actually represent? Look at the description and clear photographs together. Second, is that design appropriate for the recipient? Ask them or seek suitable local guidance. Third, are the practical details right? Size, materials and comfort still matter, however meaningful the occasion.
These questions also help when you inherit a ring. Record visible symbols and inscriptions, then combine them with reliable family information. Do not assign a precise Masonic history from appearance alone.
A useful reading plan for someone new to Freemasonry
Begin with the three degree names and the organization explaining them. Write down whether you are reading a public introduction from a Grand Lodge, information from an appendant body or a retailer’s product description. Each can serve a purpose, but they answer different questions. An official educational page explains its own tradition; a product listing should describe the item being sold.
Next, look for the question you actually need answered. A family member may want to understand a milestone. A prospective member may need the correct local contact. A gift buyer may need to identify an appropriate emblem. Starting with a clear question prevents you from collecting impressive-sounding terms that do not help with the decision in front of you.
Keep a note of the source and its jurisdiction when information becomes more specific. If two pages use different wording, compare their context before assuming one is wrong. This is particularly useful when moving between American, Canadian and British resources. Ask the relevant organization when a distinction affects membership, practice or the choice of a specialized emblem.
You can also learn by asking practical, respectful questions: What public reading would you recommend? Which organization provides guidance locally? What does this term mean in this context? These questions encourage understanding without asking someone to share details they prefer to keep private.
Frequently asked questions about degree terminology
Does buying a Master Mason ring make someone a Master Mason? No. A ring is jewelry, and its description does not confer membership or a degree. Choose it to reflect an existing connection or an appropriate gift occasion.
Should a beginner choose jewelry by the highest number shown? No. A degree number needs the context of the relevant body. Confirm the recipient’s actual affiliation and preferences before selecting a specialized design.
Can an online article tell me which ring my lodge permits? A general guide can help explain terminology, but questions about your own lodge’s customs should go to the lodge or its governing organization. Keep that local guidance in mind when shopping.
What information should a gift buyer ask for? Confirm the intended emblem, the recipient’s preferred style, the finger on which it will be worn and the correct size. Those details are more useful than attempting to reconstruct a person’s entire Masonic history from a photograph.
Keep learning with reliable context
Start with your local Grand Lodge’s public resources, then use official information from the relevant Masonic body when your reading becomes more specific. Keep general education separate from personal membership advice. It is perfectly reasonable to understand the outline first and learn the finer distinctions gradually.
If your next step is choosing jewelry, read our Masonic ring meaning guide and practical buying guide. Then browse the TrueMasonic Masonic Rings collection, using the symbolism and product specifications together to choose a design with care.
Explore the TrueMasonic Masonic Rings collection
Continue reading
- Masonic Ring Meaning: Symbols, Tradition and Personal Significance
- Masonic Regalia Explained: Aprons, Collars, Jewels and Lodge Traditions
Sources and further reading
- United Grand Lodge of England — What Is Freemasonry?
- Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction — Degrees
- United Grand Lodge of England — Glossary
- Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction — Frequently Asked Questions
Photo: Colin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and cropped by TrueMasonic; adapted photograph licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Used for editorial illustration; no endorsement implied.
