What Is Freemasonry? A Guide to Its Meaning, Values, and Purpose
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and most enduring fraternal organisations. Built on values like integrity, learning, charity, and fellowship, it offers a path for good men to grow personally, serve their communities, and support one another through shared traditions and experiences.
What does Freemasonry Mean?
Understanding Masonic Symbols
What Do Freemasons Do?
Freemasons take part in a long-standing tradition of meeting regularly, supporting one another, and contributing to their communities. Lodge meetings follow a structured format that includes ceremony, discussion, and shared customs passed down over generations.
- 🛕 Attend formal Lodge meetings that follow Masonic tradition and ritual
- 📜 Take part in ceremonies that reflect moral values and historical symbolism
- 💬 Discuss topics such as ethics, history, and community service
- 🤝 Spend time with other members over meals, events, and shared responsibilities
- 🎗️ Support charitable causes through fundraising and hands-on involvement
- 🧱 Contribute to the Lodge by volunteering in roles, mentoring, or helping to organise events
Outside the Lodge room, Freemasons often stay involved in local initiatives, assist with charitable projects, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being part of something established, steady, and values-based.
The Values of Freemasonry
These are the values Freemasons aim to live by. They guide how members treat others, work together, and contribute to the world around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freemasonry can seem mysterious if you’re viewing it from the outside. These questions address the most common things people want to know, openly and honestly.
What is a Freemason Lodge?
A Lodge is a local group of Freemasons who meet regularly to learn, support one another, and take part in meetings. It’s both a community and a place where members grow together in friendship, purpose, and tradition.
Is Freemasonry a secret society or cult?
No. Freemasonry is not a cult or secret society. It's a long-standing fraternal organisation with publicly known values, structures, and charitable work. While some aspects like ceremonies and symbols are private to members, the existence, leadership, meeting locations, and community involvement of Freemasons are not secret.
Lodges often hold open days, sponsor public events, and welcome respectful enquiries. The purpose of Freemasonry is not to hide, but to create a space where men can meet with mutual respect and shared values.
Is Freemasonry a religion, or can religious people join?
Freemasonry is not a religion. It is a secular organization that encourages members to be faithful to their personal religious convictions. The organization does not offer a path to salvation or prescribe religious doctrines. Instead, it focuses on moral teachings and the betterment of individuals and society.
How old do I have to be to join?
You need to be at least 18 years old to join Freemasonry in Australia. Some jurisdictions may have slightly different age requirements, but 18 is the most common minimum age.
Do I need to know a Freemason to join?
No, knowing a current Freemason is not a requirement to join. While some members are introduced by friends or family, Lodge Southern Cross welcomes direct enquiries from anyone genuinely interested.
How much does it cost to join?
There are modest joining and annual fees to cover Lodge operations and charitable work. We’re happy to explain the costs and ensure they’re transparent and fair.
What happens at a Freemason Lodge meeting?
A typical Masonic Lodge meeting includes welcoming new members, educational presentation, planning Lodge activities, and carrying out degree work that mark a member’s progress. After the meeting, we usually enjoy dinner together.
Why do Freemasons wear regalia?
Freemasons wear regalia as a symbol of tradition, office, and equality within the Lodge. Items like aprons, collars, and jewels represent a member’s role, responsibility, or progress through the Masonic degrees.
Regalia is not about status or personal display, it serves as a visual reminder that all members are part of something larger than themselves. The practice dates back to the working stonemasons of the medieval guilds and is preserved today as part of Freemasonry’s ceremonial heritage.
What are the time commitments?
We encourage all members to attend at least one Lodge Southern Cross meeting each month. You're always welcome to take part in other Masonic events as your time allows but we understand that life, work, and family come first.
Can women join Freemasonry?
Freemasonry at Lodge Southern Cross follows the traditions of regular Freemasonry, which admits men only in accordance with the long-standing practices of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales & ACT and many Grand Lodges around the world.
However, there are respected and independent Masonic and allied organisations in New South Wales that welcome women as full members or in affiliated roles. These include:
Order of the Eastern Star (OES) – A charitable, fraternal body open to both women and men, with active Chapters in NSW
→ www.oesaustralia.org.au- Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) – Women-only Freemasonry, growing in Australia
→ www.hfaf.org Le Droit Humain (LDH) – A Co-Masonic body open to both men and women, with active Lodges in Sydney
→ www.freemasonryformenandwomen.org
These organisations uphold similar principles of fellowship, moral integrity, and service — and offer women the opportunity to take part in Masonic-style traditions in a way that aligns with their values.
Are Freemasons part of the Illuminati?
No. Freemasonry is not connected to the Illuminati, a short-lived group from 18th-century Bavaria. While both are often mentioned in conspiracy theories, Freemasonry is a separate, lawful fraternity with no political agenda or ties to secret global networks.
Do Freemasons control world governments or form a 'New World Order'?
No. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that emphasizes personal development, ethical living, and community service. The idea that Freemasons orchestrate global events or control governments is a conspiracy theory without factual basis. Such claims have been debunked by historians and scholars
Do Freemasons do anything illegal or unethical?
At Lodge Southern Cross, we take integrity and ethical conduct seriously. Freemasonry requires members to follow the law and uphold strong moral standards. Anyone acting illegally or unethically is held accountable and may be removed. Our principles are built on honesty, personal responsibility, and service to others, values we expect every member to live by.
Do Freemasons perform occult or magical rituals?
No. Masonic rituals are symbolic ceremonies that teach moral lessons and reinforce values such as integrity, charity, and respect. They are not occult, magical, or supernatural in nature. These ceremonies are deeply traditional and allegorical, not mystical.
Freemasonry Around the World
Freemasonry spans the globe. Each Grand Lodge operates independently, yet all share common values of integrity, brotherhood, and service. Below is just a sample of recognised Grand Lodges. There are many more around the world, each offering a warm welcome to visiting Masons.
