AN INTRODUCTION TO THE

”SWEDISH RITE”
and a brief
Historic account of the
Orders of Freemasons within this rite

Version 8 – DDFO
The Swedish Rite
INTRODUCTION

The four Grand Lodges in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland are all working “The
Swedish Rite” which was developed in Stockholm during the second half of the 18th
century and finished in the year 1800 under the leadership of Duke Carl, later King Carl
XIII. The four Orders, Swedish Order of Freemasons (SFMO), Danish Order of
Freemasons (DDFO), The Norwegian Order of Freemasons (DNFO) and The Icelandic
Order of Freemasons (IFMO), are all sovereign Masonic bodies working the same rituals.

In Finland there is a Grand Chapter which as a part of the Swedish Order of Freemasons
is working The Swedish Rite.

The Swedish Rite has its foundation for the work follows a manuscript
origin in the work led by in The Swedish Rite. when working a Lodge
first Carl Friedrich Eckleff but some parts of the
It is a progressive,
and subsequently Duke ritual must be memorised
continuous and
Carl of Södermanland and performed by heart.
homogenous system
(the later King Carl XIII
through its eleven
of Sweden) during the
degrees. Each degree
second half of the 18th
leads to the next and each
century and finished in
degree sums up the
1800.
contents of the preceding
degrees. To ensure that
each degree is kept
separate and distinct,
different lodge rooms are
used, each specially
designed for its degree.
The way of working is also The system is grouped
unique, based on the into three divisions with
lodge room, the ritual and ten degrees altogether,
the individual which every brother can
examination in each reach eventually.
The rituals and the degree. Progression through the
fundamental laws of Carl
There is one ritual for degrees is slow, especially
XIII governing the system
advancement in each in the higher degrees,
still constitute – with few
degree and the although with some
modifications – the
Worshipful Master variation between the
four countries. A brother reach the sixth degree in In The Swedish Rite the
will typically reach the X about four to six years. brother is supposed to be
degree after some 12-20 searching for his personal
CHAPTER DEGREES
years’ time after his entry development and to
(VII – X):
as an apprentice in the St practice friendship and
John’s Lodge. The last charity. He is supposed to
(XI) degree called Knight Very Illustrious accept the Christian faith.
7th degree
Brother
Commander of the Red
During his travel through
Cross is almost
Most Illustrious the degrees he is
exclusively for officers in 8th degree
Brother
supposed to grow in his
the Grand Lodge.
own understanding of the
Enlightened Brother
ST JOHN’S (CRAFT) 9th degree basic principles of
of St. John’s Lodge
DEGREES (I – III): Religion and Christianity
Very Enlightened that should bring value to
1st degree Apprentice 10th degree Brother of St.
Andrew’s Lodge his life and develop his
2nd degree Fellow Craft relation to his fellow
This division is related to brother. In this way he is
3rd degree Master Mason
rituals in Great Priories also to grow in his
and Supreme Councils understanding of- and his
This division is closely
but has its own rituals belief in God. He is
related to the rituals in
and lodge rooms. guided closer to the
Craft lodges and the
answers to eternal
normal time for a brother
questions: Where do I
is to be a raised Master in
come from, what is my
two to three years.
task in life and where am
ST ANDREW’S I heading?
(SCOTTISH)
During the whole
DEGREES (IV-VI):
progress from the first
degree to the tenth, the
Very Worshipful brother is member of the
4th degree /
Apprentice and
The Chapter also includes same Order. Each
the final (XI) degree: division of degrees: the St
5th degree Fellow of St Andrew Most Enlightened John’s Lodge, the St
Brother, Knight & Andrew’s Lodge and the
Illustrious Scottish Commander of the Chapter, enjoys a certain
6th degree Master of St
Andrew
Red Cross. This degree amount of autonomy, but
is almost exclusively for they are under the rule of
This division is somewhat officers in the Grand the Sovereign Grand
related to Mark Master Lodge and Provincial Master / Commander.
Masons and Royal Arch, Grand Masters.
respectively, but has its The Swedish Rite is
own rituals and lodge explicitly based on
rooms. A brother can Christianity.
The Danish Order of Freemasons
Freemasonry arrived in Denmark when five Master Masons met in Copenhagen on
November 11, 1743, and founded a lodge which would later be named St Martin.
The following year, brethren from St Martin left it to found another lodge, which
obtained a constitution from the Grand Lodge in London in 1745 and exists to this
day under the name Z&F as the oldest masonic lodge in operation in the Nordic
countries.
Freemasonry arrived in
Denmark when five Master
Masons met in Copenhagen on
November 11, 1743, and
founded a lodge which would
later be named St Martin. The
following year, brethren from St
Martin left it to found another
lodge, which obtained a
constitution from the Grand
Lodge in London in 1745 and
exists to this day under the
name Z&F as the oldest
masonic lodge in operation in
the Nordic countries. Rite. A similar development Master by Prince Christian
had occurred in the Strict Frederik who three years later
Observance lodges in France in succeeded to the Danish throne
1778, and the Rite Écossais as King Christian VIII in 1839.
Rectifié (Rectified Scottish Rite, He was Grand Master until his
RER) survived in Switzerland death in 1848 and was
from where it has spread to succeeded by his son, King
other countries in recent Frederik VII.
decades.

In 1775, Prince Carl of Hessen

In the early years, the lodges
was initiated as a freemason,
worked a German variant of the
and he was the superior of
rites used in England. In 1765,
Danish freemasonry in
Danish freemasonry joined the
Denmark from his initiation
Christian high-degree rite
until his death in 1836. From
called Strict Observance under
1765 to 1792, however, Danish In 1852, King Frederik VII
German leadership. The Strict
freemasonry was technically sanctioned that the new lodge
Observance rite underwent a
subordinate to the leadership in Kosmos in Helsingør could
major revision in 1782 and
Germany. Prince Carl was start working according to the
became known as the Rectified
succeeded as Danish Grand Swedish Rite. That happened in
1853, and in the same year King John’s Lodge in Copenhagen During the 20th century, a
Frederik VII constituted a grew and split several times. number of irregular lodges were
temporary Danish Grand Lodge The prosperity was stimulated founded. In 1959, the Danish
with the task of preparing the by the great interest of the royal Order of Freemasons entered a
transition to working the Grand Masters, King Frederik treaty with the St John’s Lodge
Swedish Rite in all Danish VIII and his sons, King Association which now consists
lodges. On January 6, 1855, the Christian X and Prince Harald, of three Lodges working the
formal shift took place at a who one after the other led the three craft degrees according to
special meeting of the Grand Danish Order of Freemasons Schröder’s Rite. In 1961, the
Lodge in Copenhagen – this is from 1872 until 1949. Danish Order of Freemasons
the origin of the New Year’s entered another treaty with the
Festival of the Danish Order of Guild of Ancient, Free and
Freemasons as it is celebrated Accepted Masons of Denmark
today. Also in 1855 the first who work the three craft
Danish St Andrew’s Lodge degrees according to the rites
called Cubus Frederici Septimi approved by the United Grand
(CFS) was founded in Lodge of England. Today, the
Helsingør, only to move to Guild of Ancient, Free and
Copenhagen two years later. Accepted Masons of Denmark
consists of 40 Lodges as well as
On November 16, 1858, the a Lodge of Research. St John’s
proper Grand Lodge of Lodge Association and the
Denmark was constituted Guild of Ancient, Free and
according to the fundamental Accepted Masons of Denmark
laws of the Swedish Rite, and do not require that their
Today, the Danish Order of
hence, work in the Swedish Rite members confess Christianity.
Freemasons is divided into
chapter degrees could begin. However, if a Master Mason of
three Districts, of which one is
The transition was completed these Lodges is Christian, he
led by the Grand Lodge of
on March 22, 1862, when King can join a St Andrew’s Lodge
Denmark in Copenhagen, while
Frederik VII appointed the first and, subsequently, a Chapter of
the other two are led by the
Knights and Commanders of the Danish Order of
Provincial Grand Lodges of
the Red Cross in Denmark, the Freemasons.
Odense (founded 1881) and
XI and highest degree of the
Aarhus (founded 1959),
Swedish Rite. The treaties imply that Lodges
respectively. There are 48 St
belonging to the Association or
John’s Lodges and 11 St
the Guild recognize the Grand
Andrew’s Lodges in full
Master of the Danish Order of
operation and another 23
Freemasons as their superior
Instructive Lodges of St John
and, hence, are part of the
and St Andrew which are fully
amity between the Danish
equipped for ritual meetings,
Order of Freemasons and
but not for initiation and
United Grand Lodge of England
promotion. In addition to the
and, more generally, the world-
Grand Chapter in Copenhagen
wide amity of the Grand Lodges
and the two Chapters of the
of regular freemasonry.
In 1855 there were only three St Provincial Grand Lodges there
John’s Lodges in operation, but are two minor Chapters In total, the Danish Order of
the following century saw a promoting brethren to the VII Freemasons today has
significant growth of degree and three Instructive approximately 9,000 members.
freemasonry in Denmark with Chapters. Additionally, a Lodge
new lodges appearing across of Research was founded in
the country, while the one St 1997.
The Swedish Order of Freemasons
History of the Order

In the early 18th Century Freemasonry spread from Britain to the Continent,
where it took many forms. Many Swedes were initiated in France and Germany, and
received permission to introduce these workings at home.

Freemasonry was brought to To bring some order out of Lodges were regularised or
Sweden by Count Axel chaos Count Carl Fredrik closed down, their members
Wrede- Scheffer lent his authority to joining regular Lodges.
Sparre, a the establishment in 1752 of During the 1750’s new
Cavalry the first regular St. Jean Lodges were established and
officer Auxiliaire (St. John the several of these opened their
who Baptist’s) Lodge in doors to members of other
during Stockholm by Count Knut social classes.
military Posse. Wrede-Sparre and
service in most of the brethren in his In the 1730’s it was claimed
Paris had lodge adhered to the new that Freemasonry was
been initiated in 1731. After lodge, and the rituals and descended from the
returning to Sweden with other documents of his lodge Christian Chivalries of the
authority to operate the three were given to the new lodge. past, from the rebuilding of
degrees he brought together Count Scheffer who had been churches in Jerusalem after
some friends who like him initiated in the Craft in 1737 their destruction and from
had been initiated abroad. In in Paris, was elected National such orders as that of St.
1735 he initiated in a private Grand Master in 1753. John of Jerusalem. This
lodge in Stockholm his He had received an started many thoughts
brother-in-law Count Carl open letter or patent in and new curious
Gustaf Tessin. Most of the Paris in 1737 from degrees, also in
brethren joining the Wrede- Charles Radclyffe, Earl Sweden.
Sparre Lodge belonged to the of Derwentwater to In 1754 the Clermont
higher Swedish nobility. The issue warrants for new rite was founded, and
meetings appear to have lodges in Sweden. it is these rituals, which
ceased towards the end of formed the basis of the St.
the decade. The St. Jean Auxiliaire Lodge
was referred to as the Andrew’s degrees whose
At the beginning of the ‘Mother Lodge of Sweden’ initiates bear the title of
1750’s there were quite a and considered itself entitled Scottish Brother or Scottish
large number of Freemasons as the only legal Masonic Master or Maître Ecossais. In
in Sweden who had been body in Sweden to issue 1756 the Royal Secretary Carl
initiated by Wrede-Sparre or warrants to new lodges. Friedrich Eckleff, who held a
abroad. But confusion Masonic activity increased foreign patent authorizing
reigned in Swedish Masonry. considerably; clandestine him to form new lodges,
together with six brethren
formed the Scottish Lodge Duke Carl began studying In 1780 Duke Carl created
l'Innocente in Stockholm the whole system and the the IXth Masonic Province
working in the Scottish St. sources of the rituals. He got (IX Frimurare Provinsen), of
Andrew degrees. This was in touch with those who which the National Grand
the beginning of the Swedish worked the system in Lodge of Sweden was the
system. Germany, especially with main body, renamed in 1937
Baron Carl G. von Hund, the Swedish Order of
who had devoted himself to Freemasons (Svenska
perfecting the Templar Frimurare Orden).
Orders of Clermont. As a
result the Convention of
Wilhemsbad was called to
rectify the Scottish Master's
degrees. This was attended
by Swedish Masons, and
though contact with
Germany was later broken,
The next step in the Duke Carl remained in
development of Swedish touch, and eventually gave
Freemasonry was taken by Sweden a real system of
Eckleff in 1759, when he Masonry, not just a
established a Grand Chapter collection of degrees. It was
l’Innocence in Stockholm. It during this period that the
has not been possible to Chapter working was
ascertain the origin of the extended, though Eckleff's By a series of ritual revisions,
patent and of the rituals. The documents still remained the began in the late 1770’s he by
Grand Lodge of Sweden basis of the rituals. 1800 had created a logical
(Svenska Stora Landslogen) Masonic system with ten
was established in 1760 and degrees, each degree leading
was recognized as a National unerringly to the next, even
Grand Lodge in 1770 and up to the final and highest,
1799 by the Grand Lodge of because each contains the
England. germ of the succeeding
degree.
Baron Eckleff established a
Masonic system on a Freemasonry in Sweden has
Christian basis. The moral continued to develop under
philosophy of the Swedish the leadership of their Grand
rite was further developed by Masters, all of them
Duke Carl of Södermanland belonging to the Royal House
(later King Carl XIII of from 1774 until 1997.
Sweden) who succeeded
Eckleff in 1774 as Grand
Master of the Swedish
Freemasonry.
The Norwegian Order of Freemasons
Introduction to Freemasonry in Norway and how it became Swedish Rite;
A brief background to the development of Freemasonry in Norway

Masonry in Norway is closely linked to the development of masonry in

Denmark, England and Sweden. The first era of freemasonry in
Norway and the introduction of masonic work is identical to what
happened in Denmark. Norway and Denmark was a union of countries
and the administration of the two entities was placed in Copenhagen.
Only a few men were initiated into freemasonry. Those few were either
soldiers or tradesmen. The soldiers had connections to Germany and
the tradesmen to England. This handful of men was either initiated in
English ruled lodges in Hamburg or in London.

Organised freemasonry came to Stricte Observans for some years wanted to create a masonic body
Copenhagen in 1743 with the until the Rectified Rite was that had a rule independent of the
consecration of St. Martin and in introduced under the supervision Swedish Grand Lodge a channel
Christiania (now Oslo) in 1749 of Prince Charles of Hessen that was set up with the Grand Lodge
with the consecration of St Olai was governor in Norway on behalf in Bayreuth in Germany. A patent
Lodge. of the Danish King. to consecrate Lodge St Olaf was
granted on St Johns day in 1882.
Both lodges was consecrated using In 1814 Norway was transferred Later 5 more lodges were
the patent Christian Conrad from the union with Denmark, as a consecrated using this patent. The
Danneskiold-Laurvig had obtained part of settlement after the ritual was named “Polar Star rite”
in London. Napoleonic war, into a joint rule
under the Swedish King. The Swedish King Oscar II,
During the first years, St Olai supported Norwegian masonry
Lodge used an English ritual. The At this time Niels Treschow was a extensively until Norway got its
Lodge gained some popularity and university professor, a government independence from Sweden in
initiated more than 25 brethren minister and Worshipful Master of 1905 and the first all Norwegian
and by the year 1772 they had a St Olai Lodge and shortly after Grand Master Johan Gottfried
membership of more than 25 (1818) the Swedish Rite was Conradi was installed in 1905.
Master Masons. introduced with success in Norway
and the rule of Norwegian The lodges working the Swedish
The English connection was later masonry was as well transferred rite and the Lodges working the
underlined when a group of from the Grand Master Prince Polar Star rite joined forces in 1947
Norwegian patrons and tradesmen Charles in Denmark to the and has since shared the
was initiated into the Royal Arch Swedish King Charles XIV Johns management and the rule of the
Chapter at Freemasons Tavern in rule. same Grand Master.
London in 1784 and brought home
a patent to start the Royal Arch In 1891 the Grand Lodge of Today the Norwegian Order of
Chapter Dovre. This is today Norway was consecrated and had Freemasons has 16000 members
probably the oldest preserved RA at the time 4 prospering lodges across 63 St Johns (Craft) Lodges,
ritual in Europe. The Dovre working in Oslo, Bergen, 19 St Andrews Lodges and 4
Chapter was closed down in 1803 Trondheim and Drammen. Chivalric Chapters all headed by
due to too few joining members. the Sovereign Grand Master/
A part of the unrest in the struggle Commander.
After a break in its work St Olai for independence between Norway
Lodge started up again and used and Sweden masons in Norway
The Icelandic Order of Freemasons
The Icelandic Order of Freemasons was formally consecrated and established July 23, 1951, in a solemn
opening ceremony in Reykjavík, the national capital of Iceland.

Icelandic brethren had previously participated in The Danish Order of Freemasons, as Iceland was a part
of a common kingdom with Denmark, and high representatives of The Danish Order of Freemasons
participated in the opening ceremony.

The first President of The the canopy of heaven during became a Lodge of
Republic of the bright Icelandic summer Instruction, these formal steps
Iceland, Mr. night. A German brother who being parts of the preparation
Sveinn participated has described and development towards an
Björnsson, that meeting held exactly on established Sct. John´s Lodge
was the first the Arctic Circle as within the Swedish Rite of
Grand Master unforgettable. Freemasonry which is
and Supreme operated in Denmark and
Commander Iceland as well as in Sweden,
of The Icelandic Order of Norway, partly in Finland, and
Freemasons. with close ties to Northern
Germany.
The first Icelander known to
have become a freemasonic The Swedish Rite of
brother did so in Copenhagen, Freemasonry was formalized
Denmark, in 1796, and the and initiated at the end of the
second one in 1817, also in A Fraternity Association of eighteenth century under the
Copenhagen. Since then there Icelandic brethren was supervision of Grand Duke
is an unbroken chain of established and formally Carl, later King Carl XIII of
Icelandic brethren in the opened November 15, 1913, in Sweden. According to the
brotherhood. Reykjavík as a part of The Swedish Rite the Order of
Danish Order of Freemasons. Freemasons in each country
The first freemasonic lodge constitutes one over-all
meeting in Iceland was held Most of the Icelandic brethren
at that time were brethren in organization through all the
by a group of Norwegian degrees, from Sct. John´s to
brethren on Sct. John´s the Lodge “Z and F”-
Zorobabel and Frederik Sct. Andrew´s to Consistory or
day June 24, 1900, in a Grand Lodge degrees, with
whaling station in to the Crowned Hope -
in Copenhagen. In the one Grand Master and
Northwestern Iceland. Supreme Commander, in one
fraternal group there
Again, these Norwegian were also Icelandic person, for each national
brethren held another brethren in lodges in Order. Brethren in the
formal lodge meeting North-America and Swedish Rite must confess the
June 24, 1902, on Cape Scotland. Christian faith, with no
Hornbjarg, the northernmost prerequisite concerning
promontory of Iceland, under January 6, 1918, Epiphany religious denomination or
day, the Fraternity Association affiliation.
January 6, 1919, also on Because of the second World In 2016 there are 18 Sct.
Epiphany day, the first fully War the brethren in Iceland John´s Lodges in Iceland,
consecrated Sct. John´s Lodge had to assume all supervision among them a research lodge
of Freemasons was formally and governing of freemasonic and a daylight lodge, as also
opened in Reykjavík. The work in the country from lodges in all main parts of the
lodge has the name "Edda" 1940, as all communication country outside of the capital
which is taken from the with Denmark was closed Reykjavík. There are six Sct.
Icelandic mediaeval collection during the war. As mentioned Andrew´s Lodges, three
of Nordic mythological and above, the first President of Lodges of Instruction, and one
heroic poetry. There were The Republic of Iceland was Consistory Grand Lodge.
fourteen founding brethren. the first Grand Master and
Supreme Commander, as was In 2016 there are 3,546
Since then freemasonic work also later the second President brethren in Iceland, out of a
has continued in Iceland with of Iceland. nation of approximately
a growing number of lodges 335,000.
and brethren. The most
important achievement is, of
course, the formal opening of
The Icelandic Order of
Freemasons as a fully
sovereign body, July 23, 1951,
as mentioned above.

Swedish Rite Aprons (I°-XI°):

ST.JOHN’S DEGREES: ST.ANDREW’S DEGREES:

IV- VIII°
I°
V°

II° VI° IX°

CHAPTER DEGREES:
III° X°

VII°
XI°
Principal Organisation
The Masonic bodies in each of the Nordic countries is a supreme entity with full sovereignty over own masonic
organisation. The structure of the Orders is somewhat similar, and the organizations can be seen below.

The Order / Grand Master +

High / Supreme
Grand Lodge Council

XI°
X°
CHAPTER IX°
DEGREES VIII°
VII°

LODGES OF VI°
ST. ANDREWS' IV-V°
DEGREES
III°
LODGES OF ST. II°
JOHN'S DEGREES I°

High Council (“Supreme Council”) With a few local variations between the countries, the following
highest (Grand) Officers are members of the “High Council” (a.k.a. Supreme Council) which is an
Advisory Board to the Grand Master. Most of these Grand Officers also manage one of the “Departments”
a.k.a “Directories” which form the national masonic Organisation of the Grand Lodge.

Deputy Grand Master /

SMP
"Pro Grand Master"

SMS Deputy Master of the Grand Chapter

Grand Chancellor
OSB/OSK
Deputy Master of the Grand Chapter

OHP Grand Prelate

VOHP Deputy Grand Prelate

Grand Master

ORM /OR Grand Director of Finances

OSMAR/OS Grand Marshal

OADM/OA Grand Administrator

OTM/OU Grand Inspector

OOA/OÖ Grand Architect

OBF Grand Standard Bearer

PMx Provicial Grand Master(s)

 Published in cooperation between

The Norwegian Order of Freemasons – http://frimurer.no/

The Swedish Order of Freemasons - https://www.frimurarorden.se/
The Danish Order of Freemasons – http://www.ddfo.dk
The Icelandic Order of Freemasons - http://www.frmr.is/

Danish Order of Freemasons | Grand Lodge of Denmark

The Chancellery | Blegdamsvej 23 | DK-2100 Copenhagen O | [email protected]

2017