"GLSdAF-VdL Masonic Education" • 06.

2023 A∴M∴

°°° °°°°° A∴V∴T∴O∴S∴A∴G∴ °°°°°°°

MASONIC ETIQUETTE: The Do's and Don'ts

Masonic Etiquette, is merely good manners and respect for your lodge, its officers and members, its 3
Lights, the convention of your Masonic jurisdiction, in Freemasonry, in general and for yourself as a
Mason.

As a Mason, you are expected to develop a better version of yourself by adopting etiquettes that gives
yourself and your presence the right to enjoy order.

Rules of Masonic Etiquette

Masonic Etiquette even though up to this age is largely unpublished and unspoken is an essential stream
to help establish a very important Symbolic Lodge Etiquette. You may study ritual work, degree work,
floor work and know all Masonry’s glorious history, Masonic symbols, jewels, etc. but there is very little
written about how to compose yourself so you do not look foolish or be regarded as disrespectful. Some
are small things and some are not, but your Lodge conduct and your conduct amongst your brothers is
continually on display and will always be observed.

Master Masons who consistenly display proper lodge behavior are mostly sensitive in adopting the
necessary form of etiquette as they have learned it themselves incident-by-incident, and usually learned
by them after their having made an error and being kindly informed by another member as to the
correct Masonic etiquette of the situation. These Masters can become a mentor.

Confirming to the Masonic Etiquette

Over time, and by observing others, members conform themselves to exhibit proper Masonic etiquette
behavior to learn lodge customs and interaction to other members.

As a newly Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft or Master Mason, it is expected that you will exhibit the
proper decorum and propriety in observance of the formal requirements which govern behavior in
polite societies... BEFORE someone takes you aside to explain your errors... it is wise to observe, then
politely ask for mentoring in case the situation may be a challenge.

You can start by following the chain in lodge communication, properly addressing respective Masonic
titles or degrees, wearing a proper Masonic attire, attending meetings, participating in activities, behave
as if you are still a knocker and recognizing the Master's Authority.

The Master's Authority

The Master can be recognized as the Worshipful Master to a Symbolic Lodge level, a District Deputy
Grand Master for a district, the Most Worshipful Grand Master in the grand lodge, and the Supreme
Grand Commander in the office of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree.

During their term in office, these brothers who has been elected, appointed, inherent to office as Master
is the most powerful member of their respective scope of authority. As they also shoulder all of its many
responsibilities.

The Worshipful Master has the full authority within his respective Symbolic Lodge to:

1. Rule any brother out of order on any subject at any time within his fair and rightful judgement and
wisdom.

2. Decide what can and cannot be discussed. Should a brother believe that the Master is arbitrary,
unjust or unfair or is acting in an illegal manner, he can appeal to the District Deputy Grand Master
(DDGM).

Within the DDGM's mediation, and a resolution is being challenged and if the appeal is weighed valid
reasonable, the DDGM will report the complaint or insident to the office of the Most Worshipful Grand
Master.

Etiquette may have been set aside if a brother insists on speaking after the Worshipful Master has ruled
that he is out of order. This can be considered an act of committing a Masonic offense.

Courtesy above all should be sensitively recognized by all Freemasons under any circumstances. A
courteous brethren should strongly consider accepting any requests made or task given by the
Worshipful Master to work on various committees and/or participate on any activity as determined by
the Lodge’s needs and/or to support a District or Grand Lodge request.

Flagged below are some unlikely behaviors considered disrespectful and with a LACK OF MASONIC
ETIQUETTE with the following scenarios:

1. WALKING BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Anyone is not allowed to pass or
cross between the Altar and the East when the lodge is open.

Why? As a courtesy to the Master, it is necessary that the three Great Lights which shine their eternal
light and wisdom upon the Master to help him govern the lodge should never be in shadow, not even
for a millisecond, during the processes of an initiation or degree work.

2. SITTING IN THE EAST: Do not just take a seat in the East without an invitation, even if all other seats
are full.

Why? While all Brethren within a tiled room are equal to one another, and the officers are servants of
the brethren, all lodge officers have worked and studied long and hard for their lodge.

It is, therefore, the Master’s prerogative to recognize this devotion and their loyalty by inviting
distinguished visitors or a special member whom the Master wishes to honor to sit with him in the East.
This situation is no different if you were in a church, synagogue or mosque and the seats were full,
similarly you are not allowed to go up and sit beside the Priest, Rabbi or Imam.

3. ALWAYS be in FULL and PROPER ATTIRE: Do not enter a Lodge hall either without a proper masonic
apron nor while wearing that apron…not even the tying of its strings.

Why? In respect to the formalities of the Lodge, officers expect that all Brethren will have the courtesy
to enter it in proper masonic attire and ready for the labor. The lodge officers should wait for a member
to be fully "dressed", even just tying or adjusting their apron, to salute that member especially if late
and came improper or unprepared. Especially in a tiled meeting, it is expected that a mason will act
accordingly as a freemason in respect to himself and to all Brethrens. A mason should be properly and
entirely dressed when passing through the Tiler and upon entering the lodge hall.

4. STAND WHEN YOU SPEAK: No man sits while speaking in a tiled lodge hall, no matter if he addresses
an officer or another brother, a mason who wishes to speak should present himself to be properly
recognized and to be respected by standing up to show an equal respect to his audience, brothers and
the Master.

Why? All lodge activity is based on each man in the lodge as being a servant of the Brethren. This
includes the Worshipful Master and his officers.

5. TALKING: "Side" talking in a tiled meeting especially while a degree is being conferred is considered a
disrespectful behavior.

Why? The Masonic lodge represent a Temple of the Grand Architect of the Universe. The brethrens
inside the lodge are in any way working to make the best ashlars (stones) for their spiritual temple. Thus
it is impolite to distract the Brethrens working in the degree of a candidate.

Unless you have been requested by the Master to speak, silence is the rule. This also means no
whispering.

HOW? If you have something of interest to say, raise your hand and wait to be recognized. When the
Warden or the Master recognizes you, you must stand up, and be recognized to speak.

To address the brethrens, you should say: “Worshipful Master, Right Worshipfuls, Worshipfuls, Wardens
and Brethren”. According to their masonic degree or position.

If the Most Worshipful Grand Master or any Grand Lodge Officer is in attendance, you should address
them “Most Worshipful, or Right Worshipfuls"

6. SPEAKING: If you wish to offer a predetermined motion or matter for discussion, advise the Wardens
or the Master before a tiled meeting is opened.

Why? Advising the Wardens and the Master before the meeting that you intend to bring up a specific
motion or a matter for discussion is an important courtesy. You may, indeed, do it without advising him
in advance, but the Master may have plans of his own for the harmonious flow of the meeting, for which
your proposed motion or discussion may not easily fit into the allotted time frame. As a courtesy to the
Master, his work, and his dedication to the members, it is best to ask him privately before the meeting
or a masonic work has started, if he will be able to recognize you to speak your purpose. This saves
"face" for both of you. You will not publicly be refused and he will not have to seem disagreeable or
arrogant in his refusal of your motion.
7. OBEY THE GAVEL: You must immediately obey the gavel.

Why? Failure especially with intent not to obey the gavel is a GRAVE DISCOURTESY which falls under a
very poor Masonic Etiquette.

Let all Masons be reminded that we are should respectfully acknowledge that the Master is all powerful
in his respective lodge and his word should be respected. He can put or refuse to put any motion. He
can rule any brother out of order on any subject at any time. He can say what he will, and what he will
not, permit to be discussed. And to any Brethren who think him unfair, arbitrary, unjust, or acting
illegally can make an appeal through the office of the District Deputy Grand Master.

However, in a symbolic lodge, the Master’s gavel, which is his emblem of authority, is supreme. When a
brother is rapped down, he should obey at once, without any further discussion. It is VERY disrespectful
to do otherwise. In fact, disrespecting the Master is a serious Masonic offense.

8. TURNING YOUR BACK: Never turn one’s back on the Master to address the lodge without first
receiving permission from the Master to speak.

Why? Any debate that are in motion must be conducted using proper Masonic etiquette. One always
stands to order when addressing the chair.

9. SALUTE: Customs may differ in various jurisdictions as to the method of salute that may be guided by
different masonic practices, however a salute should always be given when addressing the Master. Each
of the brethren will salute the Wardens and then Master when they enter and when they leave a tiled
Masonic lodge hall or any other tiled Masonic lodge room.

Why? The Masonic etiquette of saluting the Three Great Lights is your renewed pledge of respect and
service. It is your public display of decorum before all other brothers of your obligation. It shows your
courteous respect for all that the Master stands for and shows that you acknowledge his authority. A
salute will reflect your heart-felt respect for all that for which he stands.

The salute to the Master is your pledge of honor and service, your publicly shown obligation. A lazy,
sloppy or improper salute is deemed Masonically impolite and, thus, to exhibit poor Masonic etiquette.

10. WHEN BALLOTING: Do not enter or leave the lodge room during a ballot.

Why? It is discourteous to leave the lodge room during a speech, during a degree, etc. There are
several natural periods, such as at the end of one section and before the next begins, or when the
Master puts the lodge at ease until the sound of the gavel. Then, and only then, you may leave the lodge
without being considered rude.

Failure or abstaining to cast your ballot not only results in your failure to share in your masonic duties,
but is also considered a direct disobedience of the Master’s request.

11. VOTING TO RESOLVE A DECISION: When an issue is put to a vote by the Master, all brethren is
mandatory to vote.

Why? A brother who does not vote or wishes to abstain to cast his vote is considered discourteous
because his actions will skew a masonic process to maintain or to establish a harmonious consensual
decision.
The one who refuse to vote will be seen as the weak link in a strong chain. No matter what the reason
of his non-vote, he injures the lodge’s sacred process, its values and its secrecy. Failure to vote can
injure a lodge’s harmonious flow of brotherhood, and by that injury, can injure the Masonic fraternity.

No matter what reason you may privately hold about voting, it is poor Masonic Etiquette to fail to vote
when requested to do so by the Master.

12. SMOKING AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES: No smoking or the likes inside the lodge hall, room or any
part of a Masonic Lodge.

Why? The lodge is considered a sacred place for all Freemasons, the gathering and ceremonies you take
part in and watch are respectively solemn sacred occasions. It is considered VERY disrespectful to
smoke while the ceremonies are taking place. Smoking may take place outside of the Lodge and during
the refreshment break time.

13. SHOULDERING THE WORK: It is a good Masonic Etiquette to accept a work or task request made in
the name of the lodge.

Why? A lodge is a working "beehive of industry". A request made of you from your lodge acknowledges
that the lodge trusts you to competently fulfill such a request based upon your knowledge.

14. CORRECTION OF VERBAL ERRORS: Lodge customs state that no one except for the Master or his
Inspector General designee, may correct any mistake that may occur during the course of a masonic
ceremony, and even he does so only when the error is a serious one.

Why? Unless educating or updating everyone over a process, it is discourteous to point out others
mistakes in front of the lodge brethren. If you are in possession of a mind which allows you to be able to
perform each and every degree and ceremony, perfectly, please advise the Worshipful Master of such
that he may take advantage of your services to mentor others.

15. EXHIBIT GOOD POSTURE:

Why? Good posture is necessary while within the Lodge. Lounging, leaning, slouching and slovenly
attitudes should be avoided. Poor posture is considered poor Masonic etiquette.

16. NO PRACTICAL JOKES NOR OFF-COLOR STORIES:

Why? The great lessons of Masonry, which are taught by our ritual, should never be demeaned by
levity or pranks.

The lodge is built intended for solemn Masonic activities which is also considered sacred. It is not a
venue for playful acts and sharing practical jokes, pranks, horseplaying nor off-color stories.

17. ADDRESS BROTHERS in PROPER MASONIC TITLES:

Why? It is a common courtesy to address a brother with his proper masonic title followed by his given
name. In case a brother does not have corresponding position, addressing him as Brother or Hermano
before his given name will automatically express courtesy.

18. ENTERING LODGE AFTER A TILED MEETING HAS BEEN OPENED: A brother should seek permission
thru the Lodge Tyler and wait to be invited to enter. If a brother is allowed by the Master to enter the
Lodge after a tiled activity has been formally opened, he should position himself to formally pass in the
middle of the pillars and salute the Wardens then the Master.

The salute should always be given properly and not in a careless or perfunctory manner.

19. ALL PRAYERS DELIVERES INSIDE A LODGE FUNCTION ARE NON-SECTARIAN: Freemasonry is
worldwide and holds no sectarian views. Non-sectarian means not sectioned into one specific religion
because Freemasonry embraces all religions.

A Mason may choose the religion of his choice in his private life but should be aware and open to the
fact that others among the brethren do not necessarily share nor were they brought up with the
religious dogmas and beliefs that you, personally, embrace.

Why? Prayers at lodge functions should be scrupulously in keeping with Masonic teachings. The
Masonic Etiquette of offered prayers is that they should never be an expression of specific sectarian
views or dogmatic creeds. It is a matter of courtesy that all prayers, speeches and discussions at
Masonic affairs avoid sectarian, controversial or political tones.

Prayers are best directed to the Creator which is addressed as the Great Architect Of The Universe
(GAOTU) and not towarda any specific religious names or teachings such as Jesus Christ, Mother Mary,
Muhammad, Jehovah, etc.

In the spirit of non-sectarianism, we must remember that since the day that our Creator found that Man
created the Tower of Babel to glorify themselves; it is HE who changed man's language into the many
diverse languages that are now spoken on Earth.

In so doing, our Creator has many names across the world and in our jurisdiction the Gran Logia
Soberana del Archipielago Filipino we address our Creator as the Great Architect Of The Universe or
GAOTU.

20. PHONES and MOBILE DEVICES TURNED OFF or MUTED: All phones and mobile devices should be
turned off or muted before entering the lodge so as not to disrupt the proceedings.

__________________________________

MASONIC ETIQUETTE SUMMARY:

Establishing Masonic etiquette is very important so that good manners can continuesly be adopted by all
Brethrens at the same time thought to those requiring guidance. It contribute a vital factor for the
neverending effort of a Mason in making himself a better individual. This will guide all masons maintain
respect, harmony and order with each other which makes lodge activities more pleasant and healthy for
everyone.
The position of the Master seated in the East occupies the most exalted position within a symbolic
lodge. A lodge member that does not honor its Master, no matter how they personally feel about the
man, himself, lacks Masonic courtesy.

Masonic Etiquette comprises lodge courtesies and proprieties. While Good Manners imply observance
of the formal requirements governing man's behavior in polite society and a sense of what is
appropriate for a person of good breeding with high morals and good taste.

The spirit of brotherly love and affection by which we are bound together, will be exemplified in our
conduct, our carriage and our behavior at all times.

A Mason should use his trowel to cement the stones of brotherly love for the greater purpose and
advocacy under his noble name and as a Freemason.

--- ----- end of /G\ document -------

I∴ T∴ N∴ O∴ T∴ G∴ A∴ O∴ T∴ U∴
ref. masonic-lodge-of-education.com for masonic education prepared by RWH CVMaristela, DDGM for GLSdAF District of Valle de Laguna