Chronological Order of Degrees
The York Rite of Freemasonry, which many take to include the three degrees of the Blue or Craft Lodge, involves a good deal of its symbolism with the Hiramic Legend and King Solomon's Temple. The degrees are not conferred in the order in which the historical events they depict occurred. The following is a list of the degrees in chronological order - which may help to put them into perspective and demonstrate the necessity of receiving all of them in order to obtain a complete picture.
| Degree | Body | Subject |
| Fellowcraft | Lodge | Philosophy of a Fellowcraft |
| Mark Master | Chapter | On being a Fellowcraft, work on the Temple |
| Select Master | Council | The three Grand Masters make a deposit |
| Royal Master | Council | The day prior to the death of Hiram Abif |
| Master Mason | Lodge | The death of Hiram Abif |
| Most Excellent Master | Chapter | The completion and dedication of the Temple |
| Super Excellent Master | Council | The destruction of the Temple/The fall of Judah |
| Royal Arch Mason | Chapter | The return of the Jews to Jerusalem. Preparation of the building of the second Temple. |
| Order the Red Cross Knight Masons | KT/KM | Assistance in continuing work on the second Temple (Zerubbabel's Temple) |
| Entered Apprentice Past Master | Lodge/ Chapter |
These degrees are not related to either the Temple or Hiramic Legend. The Entered Apprentice Degree is introductory only; the Past Master Degree is a relic from times past. |