Freemasons secrets stir curiosity. Who are these supposedly secretive people? Why do they only accept men and not women, and what are the meanings of their myriads of strange symbols, handshakes and rituals? It is little wonder that people are curious about them.

Not So Secret

As a male-only fraternity, the truth is that much of the workings of the fraternity is really quite public. Many of their symbols are out in the open, displayed on lodge buildings, Masonic jewelry, internet web pages and more. You see them on building cornerstones, grave markers and on bumper stickers.

In the United States, Shriner’s wearing fezzes march for charitable purposes in parades and perform fundraising activities to support over 20 children’s burn and orthopedic hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Freemason symbols are actually fairly simple to understand and for the truly curious, there are many excellent books available which explains them in depth. Many of these symbols embody moral teachings. For instance, the use of the plumb in their symbolism is used in the construction trade, yet today. This tool allows its user to ascertain straight and true lines. It is not difficult to see the moral significance of such a symbol. Each symbol, from the All Seeing Eye to the altar on which the Holy Scriptures are placed have both a practical as well as a spiritual application.

Freemason History

Freemason history is another area where the Freemasons secrets are actually quite public. Freemasonry has long asserted that they are a fraternity that has a few secrets rather than a "secret society". If you truly wish to learn more about the fraternity, in the United States and some other countries around the world, you may simply contact a Masonic lodge and ask for a tour. As you can see from the many recent television documentaries about Freemasonry, especially the one which insinuated that the fraternity somehow stole the cornerstone from the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., the media adores Freemasons secrets. It’s too bad, though, that they seem to focus on the wrong secrets. But, to be fair to the media, I suppose if you don’t know the real secrets, it would be rather difficult to focus upon them, correctly.

What is Secret?

Like many other fraternities, Freemasons secrets include handshakes, signs and passwords. If you learn Freemasons secrets, will you discover a mystical, arcane enlightenment such as has never been previously uncovered? It is doubtful. However, the study of the fraternity’s origins is a never ending source of fascinating historical knowledge and memorabilia.

Why Secrecy?

With the symbols and information being so widely available, why then are there any secrets at all? Members state that the few secrets they do have are a matter of personal honor. Each member is required to promise to keep certain pieces of information secret and doing so proves they are a person of honor. As far as the secret rituals are concerned, these will actually vary from one lodge to the next. If you travel from one state to another you will see variations and differences.

Conclusion

There is one thing very certain among all the members; they will never disclose Freemasons secrets that they have promised to keep. It is a matter of personal honor. It is the duty of each lodge around the world to provide Masonic education to its many members because it is the ‘light’ of knowledge that each Freemason seeks on his life’s journey.