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What is the Mark Degree?

The Mark is a practical, story-led step for a Master Mason that focuses on honest work, fair reward, and the value of leaving your name on what you build. Instead of abstract ideas, it uses a job-site setting—stonemasons on a project—to show how character shows up in decisions, deadlines, and dealings with others. The tone is warm, welcoming, and very human.

The Degree of Mark Master Mason is open to all Master Masons. The ceremony, in which a Brother is ‘advanced’, comprises two parts: the first in which the Candidate is acknowledged as a Mark Man, followed by the second where he becomes a Mark Master Mason. The Mark referred to in its title takes its name from the mark or symbol with which the stonemason identified his work and historic examples can still be found in many cathedrals and important buildings. Much use is made of Holy Writ to instruct the Candidate in the story, the real message of which is one of contemplation of human strengths and weaknesses.

In chronological terms the Degree follows that of the Second Degree in Craft masonry. There is reputedly some evidence that the Degree is 400 years old, but the earliest English records stem from 1769 when it was first worked in Chapter of Friendship, Royal Arch Chapter No. 257 (formerly No. 3) in Portsmouth. However, a minute book dated 1599 of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No. 1 states that several speculative brethren had appended their Marks after their names.

The first meeting of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales was held on Monday, 23 June 1856. The ordinary members’ regalia comprises an apron and breast jewel. The apron is of white kid with a triangular flap bordered with a two inch ribbon of light blue with crimson edges. It has rosettes of the same colour whilst Masters and Past Masters have the rosettes replaced with silver levels. The jewel of the order is a key stone appended to a ribbon which matches the apron and bears a mallet and chisel, which are the tools of the Order. The key stone, which bears certain characters, forms an integral part of the ceremony.

The ceremony of advancement to the degree of Mark Master Mason 

The Mark Degree is rooted in an age-old tradition: every craftsman would choose a unique mark to identify his work, ensuring he was fairly paid for his labour. From this simple but powerful idea flow the key themes of the degree — regularity, diligence, and discipline.

While the Second Degree of Freemasonry highlights the importance of learning, the Mark Degree takes it a step further by showing how that knowledge can be applied with wisdom — not just for personal growth and honour, but for the good of others.

It’s also a degree of encouragement. Life often brings misunderstandings, overlooked achievements, or even unfair criticism. Yet the Mark teaches that persistence, integrity, and faith in truth will see us through. Its guiding message comes from a single verse in Psalm 118: “The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner.”

Through the story of King Solomon’s Temple and its craftsmen, the ritual explores both the strengths and the frailties of human nature. The symbolism is carried through its regalia — a distinctive apron edged in dark red and blue, a keystone jewel, and even a special token known as the Mark penny, once used for the payment of wages.

Progression within the Degree

The Ceremony of Advancement allows full entry to all Master Masons of four or more weeks standing, with access to the “ladder” leading to the Chair of Adoniram.

There are more Offices in the progression than in Craft Masonry, but with only one Ceremony to learn, and that being of a less onerous nature than those of other Degrees, Brethren find the efforts more pleasant, and the results more readily achievable.

This may be why the basis of the Degree has always been considered a “happy” one! Candidates never fail to say how agreeable they found the experience. Having completed the year as Master, Provincial Grand rank is usually awarded after a further three years, with Grand Rank available to the industrious.

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