What do Masons keep in their briefcase?

Masons keep their essential regalia, like aprons, collars, gloves, and jewels, in a dedicated briefcase or apron case, along with ritual books, notes, and personal items like pens, cash, or snacks for meetings. These cases, often with combination locks, protect and organize these symbolic items, sometimes featuring compartments for documents, calculators, or even laptops, ensuring everything needed for lodge business and ceremonies is secure and accessible.

What's in a Masons briefcase?

This may include aprons, sashes, collars, and other items that represent a Mason's rank or degree within the organization.

What do Freemasons keep secret?

The only things truly considered secret in Freemasonry are what are known as the modes of recognition: the array of grips, tokens, and words that Freemasons use to distinguish themselves to other Freemasons.

Why do Masons roll up their trouser legs?

Another Masonic ritual is the rolled-up trouser leg. "It's the one that gives us the most trouble," says Bob Cooper. "What it means is that your skin touches the lodge so there is physical contact between you and the lodge.

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%). 

Freemasons Victoria: Inside the Black Briefcase

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.

What do Masons call their God?

Jahbulon or Jabulon or Jahbuhlun (supposedly from Hebrew: יָהּ‎ בַּעַל אוֹן, romanized: Yāh baʿal ʾōn, "Jah-Baal-strength") is a word which historically was used, and is allegedly still used in some rituals of Royal Arch Masonry and derivations thereof.

Why do Christians not like Freemasons?

Christians dislike Freemasons due to perceived conflicts in core beliefs, such as Freemasonry's universalism (accepting all faiths) clashing with Christianity's exclusive claim of Jesus as the only way, its use of secret oaths (which some view as unscriptural), and its non-Trinitarian, Deistic, or syncretistic terms for God (like "Supreme Architect of the Universe") conflicting with the Christian concept of God, alongside concerns about pagan/occultic rituals and secrecy. Many denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox, and various Protestant groups, formally discourage or forbid membership, seeing it as incompatible with faith in Christ. 

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.
 

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 are Freemasons disliked?

Freemasonry has been alleged to hold its members back from fully committing themselves to their nation. Critics claim that, compared to Operative Masonry's clear denunciations of treachery, Speculative Masonry (Freemasonry after 1723) was far more ambiguous.

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 Freemasons not allowed to talk about?

Anglo-American style Freemasonry, which insists that a "volume of sacred law" (such as the Bible, Quran or other religious text) should be open in a working lodge, that every member should profess belief in a supreme being, that only men should be admitted, and discussion of religion or politics does not take place ...

What is the secret code of the Masons?

The "secret code" most associated with Freemasons is the Pigpen Cipher, a simple substitution cipher using geometric symbols (grid fragments and dots) for letters, also called the Masonic Cipher, used for private correspondence and records, though it's easy to break and mostly symbolic now, with real secrets being handshakes (grips), passwords, and signs used in ritual for recognition and preserving lessons, not complex encryption.
 

What is the purpose of Rainbow Girls?

The purpose of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is to build character, leadership, and confidence in young women (ages 11-20) through service, teamwork, and promoting ideals like friendship, love, and charity, preparing them for responsible adulthood with skills in communication and self-respect. They achieve this through local and international service projects, learning public speaking, developing leadership roles, and fostering strong bonds with other members. 

What was there inside the briefcase?

TLDR. The case contained a rock from The Abyss which held the essence of the Mind Flayer. The essence went into Henry's gunshot wound in his hand. The man who had the case was a Russian spy who stole it from Dr Brenner's lab in Nevada.

What disqualifies you from becoming a Freemason?

Freemason disqualifications center on character, belief, and intent: you must be a man (in traditional Freemasonry) of good moral character, believe in a Supreme Being (atheists are excluded), be of legal age, and apply for genuine self-improvement, not personal gain, with reasons like a significant criminal history (especially of "moral turpitude") or dishonesty about your past being major barriers, though minor offenses with full disclosure are often manageable. 

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.

Is President Biden a Mason?

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.

Who is God to Freemasons?

God is often referred to as the Great Architect of the Universe. It is a descriptive title that allows each member to think of the Supreme Being according to his own beliefs and convictions, uninfluenced by but respectful of those around him.

Is there a female equivalent to the Masons?

There are two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (Freemasonry for Women). They both follow exactly the same ceremonies and wear the same regalia as male Freemasons, and they often work closely with community and charity projects.

Do Masons believe in Jesus?

Freemasonry requires belief in a Supreme Being but isn't a religion, so whether a Mason believes in Jesus Christ depends on their personal faith; Christian Masons do, viewing Him as Savior, while non-Christian Masons may see Him historically or not at all, as Masonry accepts members of various faiths (Judaism, Islam, etc.) as long as they believe in God, but often emphasizes good works and universal brotherhood over specific doctrines like Christ's divinity or salvation through faith alone, which creates conflict with some Christian views. 

Why are the Masons so secret?

It's not a secret society, just a society with some private traditions, like any group with membership rites. At the end of the day, it's about making good men better and giving back to our communities. That's it.

What's higher than a Freemason?

Whilst there is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, there are additional degrees that are offered only to those who are Master Masons. Most of these are supervised by their own "Grand" bodies (independent from the Grand Lodge).

Who do the Masons pray to?

The Supreme Being.

Masonry primarily uses the appellation, “Grand Architect of the Universe,” and other non-sectarian titles, to address the Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves.