T
he Mark Master Mason Degree is available to all who have attained the rank of Master Mason. This ritual, in which a candidate is ‘advanced’, essentially consists of two parts: the first recognizes the individual as a Mark Man, and the second elevates him to a Mark Master Mason.
The “Mark” referenced in the Degree’s name originates from the unique symbol or sign that stonemasons historically used to identify their craftsmanship, examples of which are still visible in cathedrals and other significant structures.
Origin of the Degree
The ceremony draws heavily on Holy Scripture, using its teachings to guide candidates and brethren through a narrative that emphasizes reflection on human strengths and vulnerabilities. Chronologically, this Degree aligns closely with the Second Degree in Craft Masonry. While some claim the Degree’s origins stretch back 400 years, the earliest English documentation dates to 1769, when it was conducted in the Chapter of Friendship, Royal Arch Chapter No. 257 (formerly No. 3) in Portsmouth. Additionally, a minute book from the Lodge of Edinburgh, dated 1599, mentions speculative members adding their marks alongside their signatures.
Members of this Order wear specific regalia, including an apron and a breast jewel. The apron, crafted from white kid leather, features a triangular flap bordered with light blue and crimson-edged ribbon, along with rosettes in matching colors. For Masters and Past Masters, these rosettes are replaced with silver levels. The jewel is a keystone suspended from a ribbon mirroring the apron’s colors, bearing a mallet and chisel—tools symbolic of the Order. This keystone, marked with distinct characters, plays a central role in the Degree’s ceremony.
The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons held its inaugural meeting on Monday, June 23, 1856.
