Apron and sash presented to the Empress Josephine on her admission to the Lodge of Virtue, Strasbourg, 1805
Freemasonry has had a complex relationship with women for centuries. A few women were involved in Freemasonry before the 18th century, despite de jure prohibitions in the Premier Grand Lodge of England.
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The French Lodges of Adoption, which spread through Continental Europe during the second half of the 18th century, admitted Masons and their female relatives to a system of degrees parallel, but unrelated to the original rite. In the early 20th century, these were revived as women-only lodges and later they adopted male degrees giving rise to French women's Masonry in the 1950s.
18th-century British lodges and their American offshoots remained male only. In the late 1800s, rites similar to adoption emerged in the United States, allowing masons and their female relatives to participate in ritual together. These bodies, however, were more careful to discriminate between the mixed ritual and the genuine Freemasonry of the men.
In the 1890s, mixed lodges following a standard Masonic ritual started to appear in France, and quickly spread to other countries. Women-only jurisdictions appeared soon afterwards. As a general rule, the admission of women is now recognised in Continental (Grand Orient) jurisdictions. In Anglo-American Freemasonry, neither mixed nor all-female lodges are officially recognised, although unofficial relations can be cordial, with premises sometimes shared.
and 26 Related for: Freemasonry and women information
Freemasonry has had a complex relationship with women for centuries. A few women were involved in Freemasonry before the 18th century, despite de jure...
that no women be admitted, and that the discussion of religion and politics do not take place within the lodge; and Continental Freemasonry, which consists...
Continental Freemasonry, otherwise known as Liberal Freemasonry, Latin Freemasonry, and Adogmatic Freemasonry, includes the Masonic lodges, primarily...
denominations either allow or take no stance on their members joining Freemasonry, others discourage or prohibit their members from joining the fraternity...
made pronouncements about the incompatibility of Catholic doctrines and Freemasonry. From 1738 until 1983, Catholics who publicly associated with, or publicly...
consists of lectures and allegorical plays. Common to all of Freemasonry is the three grade system of Craft or Blue Lodge freemasonry, whose allegory is...
The history of Freemasonry encompasses the origins, evolution and defining events of the fraternal organisation known as Freemasonry. It covers three...
Mormonism andFreemasonry began early in the life of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Smith's older brother, Hyrum, and possibly...
Freemasonry in the United States is the history of Freemasonry as it was introduced from Britain and continues as a major secret society to the present...
building industry. Freemasonry in Canada traces its origins to the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Ireland...
of Freemasonry – "Entered Apprentice", October 30, 1937, in Johnson City Lodge No. 561, at Johnson City, Texas, but did not advance any further and did...
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a Rite within the broader context of Freemasonry. It is the most widely practiced Rite in the...
Prince Hall Freemasonry is a branch of North American Freemasonry for African Americans founded by Prince Hall on September 29, 1784. There are two main...
Freemasonry in Italy (Italian: Massoneria) dates to the first half of the eighteenth century. Its success largely depended on the lack of enthusiasm with...
Freemasonry in Scotland in lodges chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland comprises the Scottish Masonic Constitution as regular Masonic jurisdiction...
Belgium, the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium, the Belgian Federation of Le Droit Humain and Lithos Confederation of Lodges. Freemasonry began in Belgium...
Masonic movement due to its founding of Continental Freemasonry. There are many and varied Masonic rites and obediences in France. The main male-only masonic...
Freemasonry in Spain (Spanish: Masonería) is first recorded in 1728, in an English lodge. As various papal bulls condemned Freemasonry the Spanish Inquisition...
are many organisations and orders which form part of the widespread fraternity of Freemasonry, each having its own structure and terminology. Collectively...
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to a civic movement promoting fraternity and good works. Freemasonry defines itself as “a regular system of morality, veiled...
general survey on the historical and modern presence of Freemasonry in countries located in Asia (including Armenia and Turkey). The Grand Lodge of Armenia...
fraternal order, working the Swedish Rite of Freemasonry. It is under royal patronage of the King of Sweden and closely associated with the Lutheran Church...
official French Freemasonry, appointing first Prince Lucien Murat and later Marshal Magnan to maintain close supervision over Freemasonryand suppress any...
The history of Freemasonry in Mexico can be traced to at least 1806 when the first Masonic lodge was formally established in the nation. Many presidents...
Grande Loja Nacional Portuguesa. The International Order of Freemasonry for Men andWomen, LE DROIT HUMAIN - Portuguese Federation Grande Oriente Lusitano...
Freemasonry in Germany (German: Freimaurerei) started in several places during the second quarter of the Eighteenth century. After the extinction of the...
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