Mark Degree
The Mark is a very old order, the third largest order in Freemasonry and traces its origins to the same period of history as the development of the Craft and Holy Royal Arch.
It enjoys royal patronage: H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent is our Grand Master. It benefits from a magnificent headquarters, Mark Masons’ Hall, at 86 St James’s St, London.
It is said by many to be their favourite order; new Mark Masons often say that they wished they had joined the Mark years before. There is an emphasis on the social side of Mark Masonry. The Mark is an inclusive order; and admittance is open to all Master Masons irrespective of faith and cultural background.
Mark Masonry has its own registered charity, the Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF), which does outstanding work in providing speedy support to members, their families and non Masonic worthy causes.
It creates a sense of belonging to the Mark family, which has an aim of promoting harmony, friendliness and enjoyment.
‘The 4th Regular Step’
The story and the ritual
Each Mark Mason has his own personal and unique mark, which provides a direct link to operative stonemasons who have used marks to identify their work for centuries.
The Mark degree, focussing on the keystone of the sacred arch of King Solomon, provides a comprehensive understanding of the of the inter-connections between the Solomonic degrees:
Craft, Mark, Holy Royal Arch, Royal & Select Masters and other orders.
The beautifully written ritual teaches lessons of hope and encouragement, having confidence in the quality of one’s own work and of the advantages of perseverance.
The dramatic and yet friendly ceremony illustrates that the wisest can be mistaken, that experts are often wrong, that the most insignificant has the potential for distinction and that we all have a significant part to play in building the temple.
‘Make Your Mark’
the individual’s perspective
For many, it is the first move beyond the Craft and can offer a different group of people to meet and from whom to learn, thereby widening a brother’s Masonic knowledge and circle of friends.
Mark Masons are enthusiastic Freemasons and extremely welcoming; there are shorter lines of communication with friendly and approachable executives.
‘Amongst Mark Masons you will always find friends’
Known as the friendly degree, the ritual and ceremonial offer opportunities for participation to all from the day a brother joins; the candidate is not merely led round the lodge room but increasingly takes an active, central role.
Mark Masonry offers progression and growth for a greater proportion of Freemasons, with a very real opportunity to showcase their qualities and enhance their enjoyment of Masonry as a whole.
‘MARK WELL’
Members of the Mark degree wear aprons of white kid having a triangular flap, all bordered with ribbon of light blue with crimson edges. The ribbons bears three rosettes of similar colour. Masters and Past Masters have the rosettes replaced by silver levels.
MARK REGALIA
The breast jewel is an ivory (or other material) keystone having a silver lewis which is suspended from a one-inch silver bar by a ribbon in the same colours as the apron. Each face of the keystone bears certain characters, on the reverse in English and on the Obverse in Hebrew.
Officers wear a collar four inches in width in light blue and crimson. Their badge of office is suspended therefrom superimposed on a keystone.