How do Freemasons say goodbye?

Freemasons say goodbye at the end of rituals with the phrase "So Mote It Be," meaning "so may it be," similar to "Amen," but they also use specific, solemn rituals and symbolic gestures for funerals, like placing a white apron or acacia sprig on the casket to represent eternal life and purity, with farewells often invoking a "celestial lodge above". General farewells among members are informal, but formal departures or solemn occasions involve symbolic language and actions to signify a transition or rest, especially in death.

What do Masons say instead of Amen?

Instead of "Amen," Freemasons often say "So mote it be" at the end of prayers or rituals, a phrase meaning "so may it be" or "so be it," signifying agreement and assent, similar to "Amen" but with roots in Old English Masonic manuscripts. This phrase, sometimes abbreviated as SMIB, is a traditional affirmation that the words spoken are binding and upheld. 

What are the famous Masonic phrases?

Masonic Proverbs, Poems and Sayings

• Right glad am I to find your faith so well founded. ...
• Let us toast every Brother, ...
• May the fragrance of Virtue, like the sprig of acacia, bloom over the grave of every deceased brother. ...
• To every true and faithful heart, ...
• We met upon the level, ...
• A Masonic Dirge,

What does 3-5-7 mean in masonry?

In Freemasonry, "357" refers to key symbolic numbers representing moral and intellectual growth, particularly in the Fellow Craft degree, symbolizing steps on the winding stair: 3 for the three principal officers/degrees, 5 for the Five Orders of Architecture/senses, and 7 for the Seven Liberal Arts/Sciences, all leading to wisdom, while "Mason 357" can also denote a specific ritualistic lecture system (Preston-Webb) or a modern membership goal (raising 3%, reinstating 5%, losing < 7%). 

What does mote mean in "so mote it be"?

The word “mote” is an old English term that means “may” or “might”—it signifies possibility or permission. The phrase itself can be translated as “So may it be” or “So it might be,” implying an affirmation or a wish for something to come to pass.

How to Identify Freemasons

What is the Masonic prayer?

In Thy name we assemble, most humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that we may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend to Thy glory and to our advancement in knowledge and virtue; and we beseech Thee, O Lord God, to bless this our present assembling, and to illuminate our ...

What do the three dots mean in Freemasonry?

The triple dot is used in Masonic writing to denote abbreviations of Masonic terms and titles: B∴ or Bro∴ - Brother. L∴ - Lodge (a Lodge in Freemasonry can also have another symbol to represent it, sometimes a oblong square with the three dots in its center).

What is the Masons golden rule?

Masons are explicitly charged to practice the Golden Rule, to “do unto him as you wish he should do unto you.” This principle is a key reason why Freemasonry is not a religion but a fraternity that respects all of them, requiring only that its members believe in a Supreme Being.

Is Joe Biden a Freemason?

The most recent president to have undisputed membership is Gerald Ford. Ronald Reagan was granted an honorary membership in 1988, and Joe Biden was declared a "Mason at Sight" by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina in 2025, although it is disputed whether he accepted membership.

What do Masons refer to God as?

Freemasons don't have a single "God name"; they use "Great Architect of the Universe" (GAOTU) as a universal term for the Supreme Being, allowing members to worship their own God (like Allah, Vishnu, or the Christian God), though some degrees mention "Jahbulon," a name representing divine names from various faiths in an allegory. 

What is the Masonic password?

In several Masonic rites, Tubal Cain is used as a password at the first or third degree. His name signals the threshold of initiation and links Masonry to fire, metals, and transformation.

What is the 8 hour rule for Freemasons?

The "8 hour rule" in Freemasonry refers to the symbolic division of a 24-hour day into three equal parts, taught through the 24-inch gauge working tool, encouraging Masons to dedicate eight hours to God/brotherly relief, eight to their usual vocations, and eight to refreshment and sleep for balance and moderation. While the concept of an eight-hour day for labor was later a significant labor movement achievement (first won by stonemasons in Australia in 1856), the Masonic teaching emphasizes spiritual/fraternal duty, work, and rest as a guiding principle for personal discipline.
 

What is a Masonic secret?

Freemasons often say that they "are not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets". The secrets of Freemasonry are the various modes of recognition – grips (handshakes), words (akin to modern passwords), and signs (hand gestures) that indicate one is a Freemason.

What is the Masonic secret language?

The Masonic Cipher is a geometric simple substitution cipher, which exchanges letters for symbols to create encrypted messages and consists of a 26-character key which replaces every character in the alphabet with a different symbol.

Why do Masons roll up trouser legs?

“Why do we roll up our trouser leg when we are getting initiated?” dad-of-two and grandfather-of-one Gareth said. “There is a good reason. It is meant to demonstrate that you're a free man, that you're not wearing a shackle.

How do Masons greet?

Freemasons greet one another with a variety of handshakes, all based on one's rank within the organization. “There is a handshake for each degree: Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master, i.e., the first three degrees and also in the higher degrees,” says Révauger.

What is the religion of Donald Trump?

Donald Trump identifies as a Christian, though he has shifted his specific denomination, moving from his upbringing as a Presbyterian to later identifying as a nondenominational Christian, strongly influenced by "positive thinking" and charismatic Christianity from mentors like Norman Vincent Peale. He's known for his strong support among white evangelicals and Christian nationalists, using religious language in his campaigns and policies, but many Americans perceive him as not particularly religious personally. 

Is Shaquille O'Neal a Freemason?

Yes, Shaquille O'Neal is a Freemason, a member of the Prince Hall African-American Freemasons, initiated at Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston, Massachusetts, and even received the rare honor of being made a Master Mason "at sight" due to his charitable work and character.
 

What celebs are Freemasons?

List of Famous Freemasons

• Cometan. Producer. Director. ...
• George Washington. Writer In the Words of the Framers: The Creation of the Constitution. ...
• Richard Pryor. Actor. ...
• Clark Gable. Actor. ...
• Don Rickles. Actor. ...
• Benjamin Franklin. Writer. ...
• Jesse Jackson. Actor. ...
• Franklin D. Roosevelt.

What can Freemasons not do?

A consistent rule throughout most Jurisdictions worldwide is that Freemasonry is not allowed to blindly recruit members. The prospective candidate must be qualified and either contacted by a member or reach out on his own.

Why do masons like 33?

The number 33 is significant in Freemasonry primarily because it's the highest degree (Sovereign Grand Inspector General) in the Scottish Rite, an honorary title for exceptional service, symbolizing spiritual perfection, wisdom, and leadership. It also holds esoteric meaning, connecting to the 33 vertebrae in the human spine as a path for spiritual awakening, and represents a pinnacle of dedication within the Craft.
 

Can masons tell people they are masons?

Yes, Freemasons can tell people they are members, as it's not a secret society in the traditional sense, but they generally won't reveal another Mason's membership without consent, and many prefer discretion due to misunderstanding or privacy, although wearing pins or discussing community involvement are common ways to show affiliation. While the specific words and grips of their rituals are kept private as a matter of trust, the organization itself is open about its existence and charitable work, with members free to disclose their own status. 

Why do Masons knock three times?

According to Strieber, the pattern of three knocks is important in certain Masonic initiations, appears in Mozart's Masonic opera, The Magic Flute, and indicates a move from a lower to higher level. In Tibetan Buddhism, three groups of three knocks represents progress in past, present, and future time.

Why do Freemasons like the number 3?

3 is significant in Christianity, which Masonry borrows from (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, aka the Holy Trinity). Triangles were symbolic of practicing Masons back in the day as tools of the trade. Additionally, it ties into the Sacred Geometry, which is also fundamental Masonic teaching.

What does the 33rd Masonic ring mean?

The 33rd degree is a supreme honour bestowed only on those who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Brotherhood, as well as professional and personal accomplishments.