Masonic Appendant Bodies Explained: Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners and More
If you search for a Masonic body, an appendant body of Freemasonry, or a chart explaining Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shriners, the first thing to know is that Freemasonry is not one worldwide ladder with every organization stacked above the last.
The Craft or Blue Lodge is the foundation in many North American and British-derived jurisdictions. Its three familiar degrees are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. After becoming a Master Mason, a member may be eligible to join additional organizations that explore particular traditions, educational themes, fellowship or charity. These are often called appendant, concordant, affiliated or allied bodies, but the terminology and recognition rules vary by jurisdiction.
If you need the basic degree structure first, read our Degrees of Freemasonry Explained. For the broader foundation, start with What Is Freemasonry?
What does “Masonic body” mean?
“Masonic body” is a broad phrase rather than one universal legal category. It can refer to a lodge, a Grand Lodge, or an organization connected with Freemasonry. When people ask about Masonic appendant bodies, they usually mean optional organizations a Mason may join after reaching a required point in Craft Masonry.
That distinction matters because joining an additional body does not make someone “more of a Mason” than another Master Mason. It may add new ceremonies, education, service projects or social activity, but it does not turn Freemasonry into a single numerical hierarchy.
The major appendant-body paths people usually mean
Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite is one of the best-known paths available to Master Masons in many jurisdictions. It presents a series of degrees that expand on moral and philosophical themes. The numbering can make outsiders assume that a 32° or 33° Mason automatically outranks a 3° Master Mason in ordinary lodge Masonry. That is misleading: the systems serve different purposes, and the honorary 33° has its own rules.
For the narrow question about the 33rd degree, use our dedicated guide: 33 Masonic Meaning: What the 33rd Degree Actually Means.
York Rite
In the United States, the York Rite commonly refers to three related but separately governed groups: the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. Shriners International’s public overview likewise describes those three primary bodies and notes that each is independently governed.
The final chivalric branch, the Masonic Knights Templar, has additional religious requirements in many jurisdictions. We cover that distinct intent in Masonic Knights Templar Explained.
Shriners International
Shriners are closely connected to Freemasonry, but the Shrine is not simply “the next Masonic degree.” Shriners International states that a man must first be a Master Mason. Its emphasis is strongly associated with fellowship and philanthropy. In other words, the relationship is a membership prerequisite, not a claim that Shrine membership sits above the Master Mason degree.
See our focused guide: Are Shriners Freemasons?
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star belongs to the broader Masonic family and is open to both men and women under its eligibility rules. It should not be confused with women-only or mixed-gender Craft Freemasonry. Those are different organizational questions and different search intents.
For current eligibility and the distinction from female Freemasonry, see What Is the Order of the Eastern Star? and Can Women Be Freemasons?
Are all appendant bodies recognized everywhere?
No. This is one of the biggest reasons a universal “Masonic organization chart” can become misleading. Grand Lodges are sovereign within their jurisdictions, and recognition, permitted relationships and membership prerequisites can differ. A 2026 discussion among Freemasons asking for an all-in-one appendant-body chart quickly ran into exactly this issue: participants noted that not every body is recognized by every Grand Lodge.
So if your question is practical—“Can I join this body where I live?”—the safest path is to check your own Grand Lodge and the official body in that jurisdiction rather than relying on a generic internet diagram.
Do you have to join an appendant body?
No. A Master Mason can remain active in his Craft Lodge without joining Scottish Rite, York Rite, the Shrine or another optional organization. Some members enjoy additional ritual or education. Others prefer lodge work, charity, leadership or fellowship close to home.
A current 2026 public discussion illustrates the real decision well: a Fellow Craft asked how to apply to the Shrine, Knights Templar and Scottish Rite after becoming a Master Mason. The answers focused not on “ranking up,” but on prerequisites and choosing among optional paths.
How to choose which Masonic body to learn about next
- If you want broader philosophy and dramatic degree presentations: research the Scottish Rite in your jurisdiction.
- If you are interested in Royal Arch, Cryptic Masonry and the chivalric tradition: research the York Rite.
- If fellowship, community events and philanthropy appeal to you: learn about Shriners International.
- If you are looking for a Masonic-family organization open to eligible women and men: research the Order of the Eastern Star and its local eligibility rules.
None of these choices should be treated as a shortcut around the Craft Lodge. If you are not yet a Mason, begin with How to Become a Freemason or use our Masonic Lodge Near You guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 32° Scottish Rite Mason higher than a Master Mason?
Not in the simple rank-ladder sense suggested by the numbers. The Master Mason degree completes the three Craft degrees. Scottish Rite degrees belong to an additional system with its own teaching structure.
Is York Rite above Scottish Rite?
No. They are different optional paths rather than sequential levels in one worldwide hierarchy.
Are Shriners a Masonic degree?
No. Shriners International requires Master Mason membership, but Shrine membership is not a fourth Craft degree.
Does every country use the same Masonic-body structure?
No. Names, governance, prerequisites and recognition differ by jurisdiction. Always verify with the relevant Grand Lodge or official organization.
Explore More Masonic Guides
See how Royal Arch, Cryptic Masonry and Commandery fit within the York Rite structure.
Understand Masonic Knights Templar as a York Rite body rather than the medieval order.
Learn how Shriners International relates to Master Mason membership and appendant bodies.
Related but not an appendant body: DeMolay is a Masonic-connected youth organization and should not be classified as an adult Masonic appendant body.
Body-specific product examples: The catalog includes a Royal Arch Apron Rod Belt, Scottish Rite 32° White Gloves, and a Shriners Masons Auto Car Emblem. These belong to different Masonic bodies and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Sources and further reading
If you are learning Masonic symbolism through a family object, gift or keepsake rather than pursuing membership, our Masonic Coins collection brings together designs centered on familiar Masonic symbols. A coin can be a meaningful starting point for a conversation, but it does not prove membership, degree or lodge affiliation on its own.