Our Fraternity
History of Freemasonry
“The origin of Freemasonry is one of the most debated, and debatable, subjects in the whole realm of historical inquiry. One has to distinguish between the legendary history
of Freemasonry and the problem of when it actually began as an organized institution. According to Masonic legend, Freemasonry is as old as architecture itself.”
Prof. Francis A. Yates
The Rosicrucian Enlightenment
The origins of modern Freemasonry are rooted in the 12th century medieval craft guild associations though traces of ritual and symbols appear to be far more ancient traced to ancient cultures in Greece, Egypt, Israel and Asia Minor.
Modern Freemasonry, approximately 800 years old in its current form evolved from the ancient architects & stonemasons who were operative and speculated or imbued early structures with biblical, symbolic and sacred geometric metaphors. Modern ceremonial Freemasonry gradually emerged in France and the British Isles. In the course of the 18th century this newer form of ceremonial Freemasonry spread across the world to all continents including Canada with approximately 5 million Freemasons globally today. Some of the earliest traces of Craft Freemasonry in Canada may be found in the Maritimes and Quebec and date to 1600.
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