The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and most widely-known fraternal organization in the world. In ancient societies, guilds were formed and skilled craftsmen were identified by a grip and password. This was a way to vouch for a high still level obtained for obtaining work accordingly.

"Operative Masons” were a specific guild, as an exclusive group of master stonemasons, who built magnificent structures, churches and monuments out of stone and fine materials. They would pass on their learned secrets of stone mastery to skilled and highly proficient "apprentice" stonemasons and develop them into "masters" of their craft.

Due to the successes, this fraternal guild took their lessons to expand to self mastery. “Speculative Masons” are selective non-stonemasons who were highly skilled artisans of their craft and sought friendship around high quality men.

Freemason traditions are based on these stonemason guilds and all Masonic law, legends, and customs are based on the “Ancient Charges” of those guilds.

There is no simple definition of Freemasonry - ask ten Freemasons to define it and you could get ten different answers - and that is because Freemasonry is an “encompassing umbrella" that appeals to men of all ages, races, creeds, interests, professions, and socio-economic status.

Freemasonry, first and foremost, is a self-improvement organization that gives its members the tools to better themselves and grow as individuals. Each Mason leads himself on his journey, so different men grow by being involved with different aspects of the Craft that appeal to their interests and needs such as: charity, networking, community, leadership, ritual, social, project management, marketing, clubs, activities etc.

Freemasonry is a fraternity of men that teaches philosophy and a system of morality; it encourages members to seek knowledge, tolerance and love to all. Masons obligate themselves to practice brotherly love, relief, charity, equality, and to uphold the ancient and honorable practices of the fraternity.