Freemasonry: A Fraternity United

http://www.gwmemorial.org/freemasonry.php

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th centuries probably in the stonemason guilds of Scotland. Freemasonry exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around three million (including approx. 480,000 in Great Britain and under two million in the United States). At its heart, Freemasonry is a self-improvement organization. Through three initiation rituals, lectures and other ceremonies, combined with social and charitable activities, Freemasons seek to improve themselves as they improve the communities in which they live. To join, one must believe in a Supreme Being, be upright, moral and honest in character, and be recommended by a Mason.

Freemasonry employs the tools and instruments of stonemasonry to teach a system of morality, friendship and brotherly love, hence, the standard emblem of Freemasonry is the square and compasses. In the United States, Freemasonry is organized locally into lodges and supervised by Grand Lodges. There are fifty-two Grand Lodges in the United States (one for each state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and more than 10,000 local lodges. There are numerous Appendant and affiliate Masonic organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine. Each of these organizations has its own leadership but all ultimately subordinate to the state Grand Lodges.

    乔治·华盛顿共济会国家纪念堂（George Washington Masonic National Memorial）是一座共济会建筑，位于华盛顿哥伦比亚特区郊区，弗吉尼亚州的亚历山德里亚 (弗吉尼亚州)。纪念第一任美国总统、共济会会员乔治·华盛顿。塔楼模仿传说的古代埃及的亚历山大灯塔。纪念堂高333-英尺 (101-米)，座落在射手山山顶， Callahan Drive 101号.始建于1922年，1932年开幕，内部在1970年最终完成。