All About Freemasonry in Denmark

History

Freemasonry came to Denmark from Germany, which had come from England. Both the crown, nobles and military families had close ties to the south, where Freemasonry had been previously known . Their interest contributed to Freemasonrys formation and promotion in Denmark.

The first beginnings were made in Copenhagen on 11 november 1743. Over the following year several lodges were created, operating in German as the favored language of the time, up until 1778 when English was used.

Originaly Freemasonry in Denmark operated the same as the German Grand Lodges, using the more commonly seen 3 degree structure of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, and mimicked any changes in policy as done by Germany.

Danish Freemasonry went through two further changes, in 1765 and 1782, until the in 1855 when Grand Lodge of Denmark transferred to the Swedish Rite system of Freemasonry. The official confirmation of this move to the new, and now current system, was not until 1858.

Structure

Unlike the original English Freemasonry, which consists of three degrees, Freemasonry in Denmark now uses the Swedish Rite system, which is divided into 11 degrees. It is founded on the Christian faith and teachings, and it constitutes a coherent whole, each more closely linked to the previous one as follows:

St. John lodger (I-III degree)

St. Andrew's lodger (IV-VI degree)

Chapter lodger (VII-XI degree)

Principles

The Danish Mason Order sees a huge task in maintaining respect for individual human beings and human own intrinsic value. This intrinsic value is and must be sacrosanct and independent of the rapidly progressive character development.

Membership

-To join the Mason Order requires:

-that he be 21 years of age

-that he be of the Christian religion

-that he has a good reputation

-that is a Danish citizen or resident in Denmark at the time

- that he has two sponsors

The two sponsors on behalf of the applicant request to join. The applicant shall submit, through his sponsors a brief account of his life, accompanied two photographs. Depending on the number of candidates it will take from a couple of months up to half years before admission can take place.

Please visit the Danish Mason Order website for more detailed information.