The Do's and Don'ts of Masonic etiquette

1. These forms of Masonic etiquette should always be
observed, out of respect for your fellow
Brothers, the Worshipful Master, Dallas
Masonic Lodge 182, the Grand Lodge of
Georgia, and Freemasonry.
MASONIC ETIQUETTE

2. Masonic Etiquette
What is Masonic Etiquette?
Those good manners by which our
society of Fellows and Brothers can best
work and best agree with respect and
dignity inside and outside our Lodge.

3. Masonic Etiquette
Where and How is Masonic Etiquette Taught?
■ The appointed Mentor makes the first introduction to
Masonic Etiquette to our newly Obligated Brothers.
■ Masonic Etiquette is also taught at every Stated and
Called Communication by the manner in which the more
learned Brethren interact with one another.
■ We, here at Dallas Lodge, have taught Masonic Etiquette
like we teach our Degree work – by observation,
imitation, and word of mouth.

4. Masonic Etiquette
There are 20 Basic Rules to Masonic Etiquette. They refer to:
● Walking between the Altar and the Worshipful Master
● Sitting in the East
● Proper Dress
● Speaking in Lodge
● Standing While Speaking
● Talking on the Sidelines
● Obeying the Gavel
● Turning Your Back
● Saluting
● Balloting
● Voting
● Smoking
● Shouldering the Work
● Correcting Verbal Errors
● Exhibiting Good Posture
● Practical Jokes
● Using Proper Masonic Names
● Arriving After a Meeting has Begun
● Entering the Lodge After a Meeting has Begun
● Turning Off Cell Phones

5. Masonic Etiquette
1. Walking Between the Altar and the Worshipful Master
Brethren Do Not pass between the East and the Altar when the
Lodge is Open.
Why?
■ As a courtesy to the Master, it is necessary that the three Great
Lights shine upon the Master to help him govern the Lodge. The
Worshipful Master should never be in shadow from the three
Great Lights except as prescribed by Ritual, or with the express
permission of the Worshipful Master.

6. Masonic Etiquette
2. Sitting in the East
It is the WM’s prerogative to recognize and honor a Brother’s labors
and loyalty by inviting a Brother to sit with him in the East.
Why?
■ While all Brethren within a tiled room are equal to one another, the WM
has labored long and hard to travel around the Lodge room, stopping at
the several stations to labor, while making the journey from West to
East. To casually “journey” to the East does an injustice to the labors of
the Worshipful Master.
■ To sit in the East uninvited is disrespectful to the Worshipful Master
and to be offered a seat in the East is an honor and respect from the
Worshipful Master.

7. Masonic Etiquette
3. Proper Dress and Attire
Brethren should neither enter OR leave the Lodge room without an
apron, nor do so while putting it on or taking it off.
Why?
■ The Officers expect that the Brethren will have the courtesy to enter it
fully dressed and ready for labor.
■ They should not have to wait for a member to be fully "dressed,"(tying
or adjusting their apron), to salute that member. It is expected that you
will be properly and entirely dressed when you pass by the Tiler and
enter the lodge room.
■ Proper attire is outlined in the Lodge By-Laws. “Business dress” is
proper attire for entering almost any Masonic Lodge. Coat and tie is
always welcome. Shorts and tee shirts...never.

8. Masonic Etiquette
4. Speaking in Lodge
If a Brother wishes to address the Craft with foreknowledge he
should so advise the Worshipful Master before the Lodge opens.
Why?
■ Advising the Master before the meeting that you intend to bring up a
specific motion or a matter for discussion is an important courtesy.
■ Every WM has an agenda for every meeting and an unscheduled
presentation, discussion, or exhibition could be disruptive. Being
recognized beforehand will save "face" for both of you.

9. Masonic Etiquette
■ Speaking (continued)
■ If a Brother wishes to Speak in Open Lodge he should stand, be
recognized by the WM, address the WM and the Craft, say his piece, and
sit down.
■ How?
■ You may speak after the WM has recognized you.
■ A Brother must Address the WM, Officers, and Brethren in a Proper
Manner
■ To address the Brethren, you should say:
■ “Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren”.
■ If the Most Worshipful Master is in attendance, you should say:
■ “Worshipful Master, Most Worshipful, Wardens and Brethren.
■ Two brethren, both on their feet, simultaneously arguing a
motion, who are facing each other and ignoring the Master
is unacceptable.

10. Masonic Etiquette
5. Standing while speaking
Always stand when addressing the WM or Brethren.
Why?
■ It is to and through the Worshipful Master as the Master of the Lodge
that a Brother addresses the Craft.
■ It is simply a form of respect.
■ If you are physically limited, the WM will recognize you and excuse you
from standing.

11. Masonic Etiquette
6. Talking
There must be NO talking or whispering to your
neighbor, even if just a few words, while the Lodge is Open
and at Labor.
Why?
■ The Brethren are at work for benefit of the Craft; talking is a
distraction, it is disruptive (whether you realize it or not), and it is
disrespectful to everyone in the Lodge.
■ Talking without asking to do so shows irreverence for the
proceedings, and disrespect for the other Brethren, the Worshipful
Master, and the Craft.
■ If it is an EMERGENCY and you absolutely MUST speak to
your neighbor about something, arise, salute the West, and
retire.

12. Masonic Etiquette
7. The Gavel
You must immediately obey the gavel.
Why?
■ As the Master of the Lodge, the WM’s word is final and he is responsible
for the good order and conduct of the Lodge and Brothers within it.
■ The WM can put or refuse to put any motion with a rap of the gavel.
■ The WM can rule any brother out of order on any subject with a rap of
the gavel.
■ When a brother is rapped down, he should obey at once, without any
further discussion. It is ill mannered to ignore Gavel, and to do so is a
Masonic offense.

13. Masonic Etiquette
8. Turning Your Back on the Worshipful Master
Never turn Your back on the Worshipful Master without his
permission.
Why?
■ As a sign of Respect for the years of hard work and effort to attain the
position of Worshipful Master.

14. Masonic Etiquette
9. Saluting
Every Brother must salute the Worshipful Master or Senior Warden
when entering and leaving Lodge room while the Lodge is at Labor,
and every Brother will salute the Three Great Lights before casting
his ballot
Why?
■ Saluting the WM is your renewed pledge of loyalty and service. It is your
public display of decorum before all other Brothers of your obligation.
■ It shows your courteous respect for all that the WM stands for and
shows that you acknowledge his authority.
■ A lazy, sloppy or improper salute is Masonically impolite.

15. Masonic Etiquette
10. Balloting
Every Brother of a Lodge must ballot when called upon to do so. No
one may leave the Lodge room during balloting except the JD to
replace the Tiler so that he may Ballot. On occasion, the Tiler or
others may be excused from balloting by the WM.
Why?
■ Not to cast a Ballot for a petitioner, when you are present, is a
failure of the basic duties and rights of a Master Mason. Not
balloting is discourteous.
■ Leaving the Lodge during Balloting could corrupt the ballot by
permitting unlearned eyes from witnessing the ballot or
permitting undo influence upon the ballot by exposing a Brother
to someone else’s opinion.
■ Each Brother salutes the Great Lights immediately before casting
his ballot, as a sign of respect for the sanctity and integrity of the
ballot and as a reminder of his duty as a Mason.

16. Masonic Etiquette
11. Voting
When a motion or issue is put to a show of hands vote every
Master Mason present must vote.
Why?
■ A Brother must vote either for or against an issue; a non-
vote is not counted by the Secretary.
■ No matter what reason you may privately hold about
voting, it is poor Masonic Etiquette to fail to vote when
requested to do so by the Worshipful Master.

17. Masonic Etiquette
12. No Smoking in the Lodge
There is no smoking in the Lodge or the downstairs areas of Dallas
Masonic Lodge.
Why?
■ Agreeable to the majority wish of the Lodge, it has been a custom
of Dallas Lodge for many years to disallow smoking in the Lodge
building.
■ Many people find second-hand smoke socially offensive and
unhealthy, especially in confined spaces.

18. Masonic Etiquette
13. Shouldering the Work
Every Brother of the Lodge should endeavor to participate in the
labors of the Lodge be they ceremonial, intellectual, educational, or
physical.
Why?
■ Out of respect for the WM a Brother should eagerly accept tasks from
the WM, if within the length of his cable tow.
■ There is much work involved in the smooth and effective running of
Dallas Lodge. The WM requires, as do his officers, assistance from time
to time in the execution of these arduous labors.
■ Many hands makes the work easier.

19. Masonic Etiquette
14. Correction of Errors
The correction of errors, particularly verbal errors, is the
responsibility of the WM or his designee, and then at his
discretion.
Why?
■ It is discourteous and can be embarrassing to be publicly corrected in
open Lodge
■ Open and verbal correction will disrupt the sanctity of degree.
■ During degrees most candidates are yet uninformed and will not
recognize nor remember the errors. Corrections will destroy the aura
surrounding the Degree Work or Lecture. Let it Be.

20. Masonic Etiquette
15. Exhibit Good Posture
Unless physically inhibited a Brother should assume good and
attentive posture while in the Lodge.
Why?
■ Because your Mother would tell you to “SIT UP STRAIGHT!”

21. Masonic Etiquette
16. No Practical Jokes
There are to be no practical jokes, levity or laughter during degree
work.
Why?
■ The great lessons of Masonry, which are taught by our rituals,
should never be demeaned by levity or pranks.
■ The conferral of a Masonic Degree is something that a Mason will
remember forever. It should not have been marred by someone’s
thoughtless laughter, snickering, whispering, or playing to the
sidelines. Doing so would be a sure sign of disrespect to the
Candidate, the Worshipful Master, the assembled Brethren, and the
Craft.
■ The lodge room is not the proper location for practical jokes,
pranks, horseplay or off-color jokes.

22. Masonic Etiquette
17. Use Proper Masonic Names
When speaking to a Mason in Lodge, use the Brother’s proper
Masonic title and name when addressing him.
Why?
■ It is common courtesy to be accurate in speaking a Brother’s
name, so it is proper Masonic Etiquette to address officers,
members, and visitors by their correct Masonic titles and
addresses.
■ The word “BROTHER” is a title, just like the term
“WORSHIPFUL MASTER” or “GRAND MASTER” is a title.
Continued failure to address a Brother Mason, while in Lodge
assembled, as “Brother”, is a sure and obvious sign of disrespect
and a breach of Masonic Etiquette. This practice dates from
time immemorial.

23. Masonic Etiquette
18. Arriving After the Meeting has Begun
Plan to arrive before the beginning of any Stated or Called
Communication. If you are delayed, make sure that you are properly
dressed and report to the Tiler; he will attend to your admission
into the Lodge Room.
Why?
■ As a Common Courtesy to the WM and the Brethren.

24. Masonic Etiquette
19. Entering the Lodge Room After the Meeting has Begun
When an unavoidable delay prevents an on-time arrival, adhere to
the following:
■ After Reporting to the Tiler and gaining admission into the
Lodge Room, advance to the altar. Salute the Worshipful Master
with the appropriate Due Guard and Sign. Quietly and quickly
proceed to the nearest seat available. (at some times, the Tiler
may direct you to approach the West and salute the Senior
Warden with the appropriate Due Guard and Sign.
■ The salute should always be given properly and not in a careless
or perfunctory manner.
Why?
■ As a Common Courtesy to the WM and the Brethren of Dallas Masonic
Lodge, and as a sign of respect.

25. Masonic Etiquette
20. Turn off your Cell Phone
All cell phones should be turned off before entering the lodge room
so as not to disrupt the proceedings. If your Cable Tow requires you
to keep your cell phone on your person in the Lodge, put it in silent
vibrate mode.
Why?
■ As a Common Courtesy to the Worshipful Master and the Brethren of
this or any other Lodge.

26. Masonic Etiquette
(Miscellaneous)
■ Aged and Infirm Brethren: Special attention is to be paid to
those Brethren that are aged and infirm. Visit them, assist them in
moving about the Lodge, with Dressing for Lodge, with the
Balloting, and with their transportation to and from
Communications.
■ Ante-Room: Special attention to proprieties and Masonic customs
should be observed in the Lodge’s Ante-Room. This of particular
note in the presence of Candidates and during the preparation of
Brethren for degrees.
■ Addressing a Brother: In the Lodge and face-to-face one may
refer to another as “Brother John Doe”, “Brother John”, or “Brother
Doe”.

27. Masonic Etiquette
■ Speeches: All speeches of a political, sectarian, and controversial
are prohibited within the Lodge.
■ Visitors: It is Dallas Lodge Etiquette to warmly greet all visitors to
our Lodge down stairs as well as in the Lodge room. A welcoming
handshake with a “Welcome to Dallas Lodge” accompanied by a
smile has been our tradition for years.

28. Masonic Etiquette
Conforming to Masonic Etiquette
■ Even the newly obligated EA it is expected to conform to proper
Masonic Etiquette.
■ The proper decorum and propriety of polite behavior is to be learned
and extended to every Brother and visitor.
■ Observance and Imitation is the greatest form of flattery
■ Over the time you sit in the Lodge and observe the Brothers of
this Lodge interact and communicate with one another you
will observe both proper and improper Masonic Etiquette
■ Imitate Good Masonic Etiquette and DO NOT Imitate Bad
Masonic Etiquette
■ Ask questions! If something is done that seems either new
or unfamiliar to you, ask a more experienced Brother
about it.
■ If you make an error in Masonic Etiquette, someone will quietly take
you aside and explain how to do things in a proper manner. Do not
be offended. This is all part of your Masonic journey

29. Masonic Etiquette Summary
BRETHREN, YOU ARE NOT AN EXCEPTION TO THESE
RULES OF ETIQUETTE AND COMMON COURTESY. THEY
APPLY TO THE OLDEST AND YOUNGEST AMONG US,
NEW MASONS AND VETERANS, THE OFFICERS AS WELL
AS THOSE ON THE SIDELINES.
ALMOST EVERY RULE BOILS DOWN TO RESPECT, AND
AS BROTHERS, WE SHOULD RESPECT ONE ANOTHER.
CONSISTENT OBSERVANCE OF PROPER MASONIC
ETIQUETTE REFLECTS ON OUR CHARACTER AS
MASONS.
SMIB

30. KEEP CALM,
AND
SHHHH!!!